Full Smart Import guide
Select several cards, copy the whole shoot and check what reached your computer. Continue into PhotoBot or VideoBot when selected.
HOOTIO INSTRUCTIONS
Choose your complete workflow.
Use Hootio to import and verify the cards, or continue through a separate photo or video processing workflow. Each route has its own finish line.
IMPORT WORKFLOW · HOOTIO SMART IMPORT
From cards to verified copies.
Smart Import finds media across every selected card, copies it to your computer and shows what arrived. Your original files stay on the cards.
PhotoBot and VideoBot are separate choices below. Turn their follow-up options off for an import-only run.
- 1Set the destinations onceSign in to Hootio. In Workspace Settings, save both Photo and Video Workspaces, a folder naming format, and separate backup folders if you want Hootio to make a second copy.Read the Smart Import instructions
- 2Choose what happens nextImport the cards on their own, or choose PhotoBot or VideoBot to continue with the photos or footage after copying.Read the Smart Import instructions
- 3Select the source cardsConnect and select the intended cards. Check each device name and path; several cards can be imported together, or in rounds with the same workspaces.Read the Smart Import instructions
- 4Run SMART IMPORTConfirm any device notice, then wait for copying to finish. Review copied, existing, failed and related-file counts for every destination and configured backup.Read the Smart Import instructions
- 5Verify before reusing cardsOpen sample photo, video and audio files. If backups were configured, run CHECK BACKUP and review its scope. Keep cards until all required files and a second copy are verified.Read the Smart Import instructions
PHOTO WORKFLOW · HOOTIO → PHOTOBOT
From cards to an editable Lightroom catalog.
After first-run setup, start once in Hootio. The finish line is a completed PhotoBot-adjusted catalog, with Standard and Smart Previews if selected. The Lightroom plugin is required.
- 1Set up Hootio and PhotoBot onceChoose where Hootio copies the cards, then set up PhotoBot for the Lightroom catalog and first photo adjustments.Read the PhotoBot instructions
- 2Install the required PhotoBot pluginAdd the HootioPhotoBot.lrplugin folder in Lightroom Plug-in Manager, enable it, and select Check again in PhotoBot. Do this before starting the import.Read the PhotoBot instructions
- 3Select the photo workflowSelect the cards and choose PhotoBot to continue after Smart Import. Add Standard and Smart Previews if you want them ready when you open Lightroom.Read the PhotoBot instructions
- 4Verify the photo resultCheck that Smart Import copied the cards, then open the completed PhotoBot catalog in Lightroom.Read the PhotoBot instructions
- 5Recover any paused taskRestore a missing plugin or media path, handle a Lightroom dialog, then resume the PhotoBot job or Hootio queue. Verify the import and backup before reusing cards.Read the PhotoBot instructions
VIDEO WORKFLOW · HOOTIO → VIDEOBOT
From cards to completed preprocessing.
After first-run setup, start once in Hootio. VideoBot completes PreProcess; the completion signal is Done. and All preprocessing stages are complete. Editing and timeline export can follow later.
- 1Set up Hootio and VideoBot onceSave both Hootio workspaces. Install and sign in to VideoBot, then confirm that it can access the Video Workspace and that the media drive has enough space.Read the VideoBot instructions
- 2Save processing settings and LUTsSet output resolution, video standard and proxies in VideoBot Settings. For Auto Exposure or Smart Expo, load the matching highlight and full-length .cube LUTs before processing.Read the VideoBot instructions
- 3Select the video workflowSelect the cards. Turn off catalog and PhotoBot options for a video-only run. Enable Create Smart Edit and optional Create proxy, save proxy settings, then press SMART IMPORT.Read the VideoBot instructions
- 4Verify preprocessing in VideoBotHootio’s Sent to VideoBot status is a handoff. Open the VideoBot project and wait for Done. and All preprocessing stages are complete.; check proxies if selected.Read the VideoBot instructions
- 5Recover a stalled handoffIf readiness fails, fix VideoBot sign-in or workspace access before retrying. If copying succeeded, keep the media and resume from its destination folder in VideoBot.Read the VideoBot instructions
Full PhotoBot guide
First-run Lightroom settings, plugin installation, Smart Develop, previews, adjusted catalog copies and recovery.
Full VideoBot guide
All the details for projects, processing, Smart Edit, exports and common questions.
FIRST-RUN SETTINGS
Get Lightroom and PhotoBot ready.
Choose where Smart Import copies your media. Set up PhotoBot separately when you want a Lightroom catalog, automatic exposure and white balance adjustments, and previews.
Hootio Smart Import
- In Hootio Workspace Settings, choose both Photo and Video Workspaces, optional separate backups, a folder name, and an .xmp Lightroom import preset. Click Save Settings.
- Open Lightroom Classic once. In Preferences → General → Import Options, turn off Show import dialog when a memory card is detected.
- Choose a default catalog instead of Prompt me when starting Lightroom if PhotoBot will open Lightroom during an unattended job. Keep catalog backups scheduled and answer a backup dialog if it appears.
- Select your cards and choose the PhotoBot workflow if you want a Lightroom catalog after the import.
PhotoBot plugin and previews
- Install PhotoBot, sign in, then open Settings → Plugin setup if its setup guide is not showing.
- In Lightroom Classic choose File → Plug-in Manager → Add. Select the HootioPhotoBot.lrplugin folder shown by PhotoBot and enable it.
- Return to PhotoBot and choose Check again. Reload the plugin or restart Lightroom if it is still using an older copy.
- Choose PhotoBot's exposure and white balance adjustments and, if wanted, Standard and Smart Previews before opening the catalog in Lightroom.
A PhotoBot job can pause for an open catalog, missing original photos or a Lightroom dialog. Follow the recovery steps, then open the latest completed -hootio catalog in Lightroom and review the results.