ViewNX2 conversion from NEF - results disappear

[Tony Corbett]

When using ViewNX2 to convert some files from NEF to TIF, my wife found that the results disappeared. That is, they did not appear in the current VIEWNX2 pane, as they had done in the past, nor was there any trace of them on the computer, having done a search with Explorer - even absent from the recycle bin. The set of images existed elsewhere so it was not a disaster but we would like to know the likely cause so as to avoid a repetition. It would also help if anyone knew how to recover those converted files, if possible. Her workflow routine has been successful in the past and has just been re-tested successfully. She uses Windows 7 SP1 and ViewNX2 is V2.1.0.

Thanks in advance,
Tony

 

[Eyelight]

Check the settings in the lower half of the Convert Files dialog where you change the save information.

Beyond that, a little more info about the circumstances may be helpful like:

- how many files?

- Is she editing the NEF file before converting to TIF or just converting the original NEF file?

- When using Windows Explorer to search, how wide did you search?

 

[Marcel]

If you look carefully at your settings, you can see that converting and transferring are two different actions. I suspect that you did the conversion but did not export or transfer the files...

 

[Tony Corbett]

Thanks for that idea, Eyelight. Basically, she saves the results of conversion in the folder holding the original NEFs. Her shots are saved to camera as RAW + Jpeg (fine).

We think this stuff is a black art.

In addition, she will attempt to convert a number of files, collected together with CTRL/select. That number varies, and is likely to be anything from 10 up to 100.
She does no processing to the RAW files, and uses Elements 8 to work on the TIFFs.
I think I am good at Windows, so the search is done either on C:\ or My computer. I don't just search at the currently selected folder. But it has to be said that the search process is a trifle curious. Take for example a file name of _DSC9020.nef. If I search for 9020, I am likely to get no results. Perhaps it ought to be *9020*?. But if I search for _DSC9020, I get hits, but not the ones I am hoping for.

Thanks for the rapid response,
Tony

 

[Tony Corbett]

Marcel,

She has successfully converted a number of files in one 'go' both before and event the event where the converted files disapperaed.

I forgot to mention that the original NEFs disappeared too. Sorry about that omission!

Thanks for your rapid response,
Tony

 

[Marcel]

Are you trying to convert pics from the camera or are you using a card reader? I find it's always a better solution to copy files BEFORE trying to do anything to them. Better safe then sorry...

 

[Eyelight]

A search for 9020 would only produce files of that begin with that specific name. A search for *9020 would find all files that contain 9020 anywhere in the filename.

Assume you are looking for the file DSC_0143.NEF

The following would find the file:

DSC would find all files that begin with DSC.
*143 would find all files that have 143 in the filename.
D*143 would find all files that begin with a D and have 143 in the file name.
If you add the extension (.NEF or .TIF, etc) on any of these it will limit the results to those with the extension.


Did the folder disappear along with the files?

 

[Tony Corbett]

She downloads from the camera, using Nikon Transfer 2, then attempts the conversion from a folder in her PC's hard drive.

As I've written before. The process usually works. What is curious is the disappearance that happened with this morning's work.

Cheers,
Tony