Costco (Canada)

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Costco Canada Export Plugin

Windows Executable

Version: 2.7.1
Release date: Feb 18, 2013
Size: 844.32 kB
Downloaded 289 times

Earlier versions downloaded 2852 times

Costco Canada Export Plugin

Mac OS Package

Version: 2.7.1
Release date: Feb 18, 2013
Size:
Downloaded 36 times

Earlier versions downloaded 2578 times

Purchase

License Type:	Single User License
Price:	$15 USD

ᴥ

This plug-in allows you to export photos from Adobe Lightroom directly to the Costco Photo Centre online service, also known as Costco Canada (costco.pnimedia.com)

Requirements

Lightroom 2 (2.4 - 2.7): Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X
Lightroom 3 (3.3 - 3.6): Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X
Lightroom 4 (4.0 - 4.4): Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X

Licensing

This plug-in is released as Shareware (no source code provided). The registration fee is $10 (USD). The license allows you to install the plugin on two computers, for example a desktop and a laptop computer, owned and operated by a single user.

Starting with Lightroom 5, you would need to purchase a new registration code for each major Lightroom version. This does not impact dot (minor) releases, e.g. Lr 4.1 to Lr 4.2.

You may use the unregistered (free) version at no charge, however some features (see below) are limited or disabled in the free version.

Free (unregistered) Version Restrictions

You may use the unregistered (free) version at no charge, however some features will be either limited or disabled:

The export capability is limited to 10 photos at a time.
The number of photos in a single album is limited to 10.
The Costco Canada Export Options section is unavailable (disabled).

Support the Development

Developing and supporting this plug-in takes a lot of time and effort.
There are many ways you can support further development of this plug-in:

Post comments and feedback
Rate the plug-in at Adobe Exchange
Submit feedback and suggest new features to alloyphoto@alloyphoto.com
And please, do not forget to register your copy.

Your participation is always appreciated!

Version History

2.7.1 Feb 18, 2013 (Latest Version)	Fixed the isse with creating new albums
2.7.0 Feb 11, 2013	Code refactoring amd improved server error handling. Minor fixes and improvements.
2.6.0 Nov 18, 2012	Fixed: Costco Canada implemented another change on their back-end and broke my plugin. Implemented validation of album names. Improved the display of photo rendering and uploading phases on Lightroom's progress indicator. Improved server error handling. NOTE: Please note, the extension name of the plugin's folder has been changed from .lrdevplugin to .lrplugin. If you are updating an older version of the plug-in you have two options: Remove the CostcoCaExport.lrdevplugin folder, then install the update using the new installation packages. Apply the auto-update. When you restart Lightroom you will be reminded to remove the .lrdevplugin folder and add the new .lrplugin folder (created by the auto-updater next to the old folder) using Lightroom Plugin Manager.
2.5.5 Jul 29, 2012	Restored the plugin's operation after a recent change at Costco's back-end.
2.5.4 Apr 18, 2012	Fixed the "assertion failure" error when uploading to a new album. Added metadata fields for keeping track of photos uploaded via the plug-in. These fields store the upload status, date and time of the latest upload, and the album URL. You can access these fields in library filters, view them in the metadata browser (as “Costco Canada Metadata” tagset) and in smart collection filters.
2.5.3 Apr 13, 2012	Fixed the "Export with Previous" behavior. Fixed the error when you cancel out of the "Create New Album" dialog. Fixed issue with page caching on Costco's side - some images would take a few minutes to appear in the online album after the upload.
2.5.2 Apr 3, 2012	Added compatibility with Lightroom 4.
2.5.1 Jan 22, 2012	Fixed an itermittent issue with authenticating the user.
2.5.0 Jan 8, 2012	The plug-in now requires a small registration fee to cover the costs of continued development and support. Now authentication errors are displayed correctly. Improved error reporting for Internet connectivity related issues. Added the ability to retry uploading photos in case of a server communication failure. Fixed a couple of cosmetic issues with the Export dialog.
2.4.1 May 18, 2011	Fixes several issues caused by a recent internal change in Costco CA service. Photos that failed to upload are now displayed in a list box with the ability to save the list to a text file. The plug-in now can automatically update itself. The debug log is now submitted in a compressed form to improve performance. Now you can use the Enter key to start a new line in the Submit Debug Log window.
2.4.0 Mar 27, 2011	The plug-in is now compatible with Lightroom 3.4RC for Windows and Mac OS. Added validation of Image Sizing settings. The plug-in will issue a warning if the dimensions of rendered photos are outside of the 500 - 10000 pixels range. Re-designed layout of the Export dialog to provide a better placement of album actions. Fixed the "Unexpected Server Response" error in some additional situations.
2.3.2 Mar 14, 2011	Fixed the "Unexpected server response" error
2.3.1 Sep 25, 2010	This is a quick fix for the "Unexpected Server Response" error caused by a recent change in Costco CA web service.
2.3 Aug 30, 2010	Fixed an issue with uploading to a new album after performing an export to an existing album.
2.2 Jul 25, 2010	Added the ability to submit the debug log to alloyphoto directly from the plug-in. The plug-in is now compatible with Lightroom 3. Several minor fixes and improvements.
2.1 May 9, 2010	Fixed the issue with uploading photos caused by a recent change to the Costco Photo Centre service. Improved the export dialog’s layout to make status messages more visible and consistent.
20100209.4 Feb 9, 2010	Fixed a Mac specific issue with album drop-downs extending beyond the right side of the export dialog. In Lightroom 3 Beta, the photo lab logo is back on top of the Export dialog.
20100124.3 Jan 24, 2010	Implemented compatibility with Lightroom 3 Beta. Fixed the issue with some photos taking up to 5-10 minutes to appear in the target album after the export.
20091104.2 Nov 4, 2009	Fixed the issue with Costco server rejecting certain requests from the Mac version of Lightroom. Fixed the issue with creating new albums.
20091028.1 Oct 28, 2009	The initial release of the plug-in.

2.7.1

Feb 18, 2013

(Latest Version)

Fixed the isse with creating new albums

2.7.0

Feb 11, 2013

Code refactoring amd improved server error handling.
Minor fixes and improvements.

2.6.0

Nov 18, 2012

Fixed: Costco Canada implemented another change on their back-end and broke my plugin.
Implemented validation of album names.
Improved the display of photo rendering and uploading phases on Lightroom's progress indicator.
Improved server error handling.

NOTE: Please note, the extension name of the plugin's folder has been changed from .lrdevplugin to .lrplugin. If you are updating an older version of the plug-in you have two options:

Remove the CostcoCaExport.lrdevplugin folder, then install the update using the new installation packages.
Apply the auto-update. When you restart Lightroom you will be reminded to remove the .lrdevplugin folder and add the new .lrplugin folder (created by the auto-updater next to the old folder) using Lightroom Plugin Manager.

2.5.5

Jul 29, 2012

Restored the plugin's operation after a recent change at Costco's back-end.

2.5.4

Apr 18, 2012

Fixed the "assertion failure" error when uploading to a new album.
Added metadata fields for keeping track of photos uploaded via the plug-in. These fields store the upload status, date and time of the latest upload, and the album URL. You can access these fields in library filters, view them in the metadata browser (as “Costco Canada Metadata” tagset) and in smart collection filters.

2.5.3

Apr 13, 2012

Fixed the "Export with Previous" behavior.
Fixed the error when you cancel out of the "Create New Album" dialog.
Fixed issue with page caching on Costco's side - some images would take a few minutes to appear in the online album after the upload.

2.5.2

Apr 3, 2012

Added compatibility with Lightroom 4.

2.5.1

Jan 22, 2012

Fixed an itermittent issue with authenticating the user.

2.5.0

Jan 8, 2012

The plug-in now requires a small registration fee to cover the costs of continued development and support.
Now authentication errors are displayed correctly.
Improved error reporting for Internet connectivity related issues.
Added the ability to retry uploading photos in case of a server communication failure.
Fixed a couple of cosmetic issues with the Export dialog.

2.4.1

May 18, 2011

Fixes several issues caused by a recent internal change in Costco CA service.
Photos that failed to upload are now displayed in a list box with the ability to save the list to a text file.
The plug-in now can automatically update itself.
The debug log is now submitted in a compressed form to improve performance.
Now you can use the Enter key to start a new line in the Submit Debug Log window.

2.4.0

Mar 27, 2011

The plug-in is now compatible with Lightroom 3.4RC for Windows and Mac OS.
Added validation of Image Sizing settings. The plug-in will issue a warning if the dimensions of rendered photos are outside of the 500 - 10000 pixels range.
Re-designed layout of the Export dialog to provide a better placement of album actions.
Fixed the "Unexpected Server Response" error in some additional situations.

2.3.2

Mar 14, 2011

Fixed the "Unexpected server response" error

2.3.1

Sep 25, 2010

This is a quick fix for the "Unexpected Server Response" error caused by a recent change in Costco CA web service.

2.3

Aug 30, 2010

Fixed an issue with uploading to a new album after performing an export to an existing album.

2.2

Jul 25, 2010

Added the ability to submit the debug log to alloyphoto directly from the plug-in.
The plug-in is now compatible with Lightroom 3.
Several minor fixes and improvements.

2.1

May 9, 2010

Fixed the issue with uploading photos caused by a recent change to the Costco Photo Centre service.
Improved the export dialog’s layout to make status messages more visible and consistent.

20100209.4

Feb 9, 2010

Fixed a Mac specific issue with album drop-downs extending beyond the right side of the export dialog.
In Lightroom 3 Beta, the photo lab logo is back on top of the Export dialog.

20100124.3

Jan 24, 2010

Implemented compatibility with Lightroom 3 Beta.
Fixed the issue with some photos taking up to 5-10 minutes to appear in the target album after the export.

20091104.2

Nov 4, 2009

Fixed the issue with Costco server rejecting certain requests from the Mac version of Lightroom.
Fixed the issue with creating new albums.

20091028.1

Oct 28, 2009

The initial release of the plug-in.

#1 | Written by k about 3 years ago. Reply

This plug-in does not work on costco.ca
Forget it!
- #2 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  If you would like me to fix a particular issue you’re having, I’d be glad to put time and effort into getting this solved. However, I need to have a little bit more information than “forget it!”. If you want my help, please explain what exactly isn’t working.
  - #3 | Written by k about 3 years ago. Reply
    
    Sorry , it was my mistake. Costco Canada confused me
    because the main costco.ca site and the photocenter need two separate registrations.
    
    Sorry, again for my
    And thank ou for your quick reply
#4 | Written by Neva about 3 years ago. Reply

Hi
I tried to export a photo to Costco Canada and got this message:

Unexpected Server Response
Please report this error to alloyphoto.
log file C:\users\owner\documents\CostcoCaExport.log

Why isn’t it exporting? Thanks!
- #5 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  Well, I guess one way to find out is submit the log file to me
  
  Seriously though, see the Support section at plug-in’s home page and send me (alloyphoto@alloyphoto.com) the log file so I can see what’s causing the error.
#6 | Written by Ben about 3 years ago. Reply

Hi there! wow a plugins for costco.ca, finally !!! Well it seem to works just fine with Lightroom 2.7. But i wasn’t able to select any of my existing album, so i created a new one “test” and now i can see my picture uploaded in it. It’s a little bug?

I didn’t find the Support section on this page, so i don’t know yet where to find the log file on my mac so i can help you fix this…
- #7 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  Costco Canada recently made some changes to their online service, and the existing plug-in may no longer work.
  I am going to modify the code in the next couple of day and release an update.
#8 | Written by Digital Treesloth about 3 years ago. Reply

Is there any way to modify the code to accept filenames longer than 15 characters? I ask because I name my files with the date, time and original file name, and that’s about 22 characters before the .jpg

Other than that minor detail, you’ve created a really nice plug-in!
- #9 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  I didn’t know there was a limitation.
  If there is one, then it must be imposed by Costco, not the plug-in. How exactly does it manifest itself?
#10 | Written by Digital Treesloth about 3 years ago. Reply

Hi Vlad,

Thanks for the quick response.

I have confirmed that it is a limitation at the pnimedia end. (I’ll be emailing them about this)

Whether or not I use your plug-in, or the java uploader at the Costco website, the filename gets truncated to 15 characters. Of course, I can still modify the title afterwards, but this will be a pain, as I have 500 photos to re-title.

Oh well, your plug-in makes it worth the effort. Thanks again!
- #11 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  Good, and I’ll see if anything can be done from my side to work around that limitation. If you’re saying the title can be changed after the photo has been uploaded, then perhaps the plug-in can be taught to do that behind the scenes… Just thinking out loud
  - #12 | Written by Scott about 2 years ago. Reply
    
    I just used the plugin for the first time today and noticed the image name of my photo had been truncated by 2 characters, down to 15. I uploaded the same file using the Costco uploader and the same thing happened. To test if there is a character limit I changed the image name to 17 characters long (the length I need), then 20, then 21, and there was no problem, so it must be an artificial limit in their API.
    - #13 | Written by Vlad about 2 years ago. Reply
      
      I’ll look into this, perhaps you are right and this is a limitation of their API, but I’ll double check to make sure. Thanks!
#14 | Written by Andriy about 3 years ago. Reply

Hi,
I have a question. Why plug-in needs to update catalog at installation time? Is this by design or just a side effect?
- #15 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  On the first run, the plug-in attempts to add a metadata field to your catalog, so it can track exported photos and correctly handle the options to “replace” or “skip” previously uploaded duplicates. The operation is safe, and it takes only a second. And again, the only change it does to your catalog is add a single metadata field.
#16 | Written by Tien Ngo about 3 years ago. Reply

This is a great plugin and on that I use quite often. I had one issue with the software and Vlaad had replied in minutes. Thanks for taking the time to create and maintain this project. Great job !
- #17 | Written by Vlad about 3 years ago. Reply
  
  Thanks Tien! I appreciate your feedback.
  It would be great if you could post your rating at Adobe Exchange
  http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&loc=en_us&extid=1916023
#18 | Written by Jonathon about 2 years ago. Reply

Thank you for the hard work and effort you have obviously put into developing this plugin. It would be interesting to see if Costco is willing to licence this from you to expand the breadth of their offering. I had assumed that no such plug in existed and stumbled upon this by accident when searching for the Costco Canada ICC profile.
- #19 | Written by Vlad about 2 years ago. Reply
  
  Thanks for your comment. As we all know, big corporate wheels turn very slow. Many online photo labs haven’t yet realized that open API and photo management plug-ins could give them the much wanted competitive edge.
#20 | Written by Michael about 7 months ago. Reply

tired to upload, plugin informed me i needed an upgrade. Did the manual upgrade and all is well. Thanks for keeping the plug in updated to work with the changes Costco made.
Great time saving plugin!