Picasa and Picasa Web Albums Help

You can use Picasa to import new photos and videos into a scanned folder - from a camera, CD/DVD, memory card, camera phone etc. - in a few simple steps.

1. Connect the camera (or memory card, CD/DVD, scanner, etc.) to your computer.
2. In Picasa, click the Import button.
3. Select the source of your new photos (e.g. your camera) from the 'Import from' drop-down menu at the top. Small thumbnail previews will display in the import tray, divided into groups based on the time in which they were taken.
4. The 'Import to' section lets you choose where you'd like the photos to end up.
   
   • On your computer: Select the destination folder from the 'Import to' drop-down menu. Use the 'Folder title' drop down menu to automatically save in a new folder by date taken, today's date or a custom folder name. If you choose 'date taken,' your photos will be saved in separate folders by date.
   • On Picasa Web Albums: You can import, upload, and share at the same time. Select the 'Upload' checkbox and upon import, your photos will be uploaded to Picasa Web Albums. Use the 'Add' menu to share the online album with your Google contact groups. Let the members of these groups contribute photos to your album by clicking the 'Options' menu and selecting 'Let selected groups contribute photos.'
     

     

     Only want to upload the best shots? Just star your favorites while importing and choose 'Starred images only' from the 'Options' menu.

5. If you're importing from a camera or memory card, you'll have the following options in the 'After copying' section:
• Leave card alone: The pictures remain on your camera and memory card.
• Delete only the pictures that were copied: Only pictures that are imported into Picasa will be deleted from your camera and memory card.
• Delete all pictures found: All pictures that are found on your camera or memory card will be deleted.
6. Select the specific photos you'd like to import. There are several ways to select multiple photos:
   • Rubber band select: Just click and drag your mouse over multiple photos to select them.
   • Hold the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) as you select multiple photos.
   • Click the clock icon to select all photos taken during a specific time period.
7. Click Import Selected or click Import All to import all the photos displayed.

Watch a video on how to import photos using Picasa:

updated 1/21/2010