Adding Image Files to Dropbox creates a duplicate File

[teamhughes]

When adding image files to Dropbox a duplicate file for each image is created. For example, I will upload an image file named

_DSC_2563.jpg

That file gets duplicated and looks like this:

._DSC_2563.jpg Notice the period placed in front of the filename. 

The original file is 2MB while the duplicated file is 4KB. This duplicated file is not an image file. So if I am uploading 500 images, it will say that I am uploading 1,000 images and then almost doubles the time it takes to upload. After uploading all files, I then have to delete those duplicate files which takes a long time especially when uploading thousands of images.

I have attached a screen shot below of what it looks like

I work on a mac. I thought it might be a hidden file issue so I showed all hidden files in the directory and found 1 file called .bridgesort

so I deleted it. That was not the issue as the duplicate files were still created. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Hannah]

Hey @teamhughes, thanks for letting us know about this.

This looks like an 'apple double files' issue. If you look this up online, you'll find more info about it.

Basically, it's a Mac issue that happens when you copy files with extended attributes metadata into a file system that doesn't support them.

Where are the image files located before you upload them to Dropbox? On an external drive or your computer's internal drive?

And how are you uploading them to the Dropbox website? From the 'upload' button, or are you dragging and dropping them?

Keep me posted.

[teamhughes]

Thanks for the quick response.

Where are the image files located before you upload them to Dropbox?

Everything is on an external drive.

And how are you uploading them to the Dropbox website?

I drag and drop into the folder that I created.

Thanks again for you help.

[teamhughes]

So I tried to upload folder with the "Upload" button. The first folder that I uploaded, no duplicate files. However, the second folder I uploaded the same way, duplicate files were created. Here is a screenshot

[Hannah]

Thanks for the update and the screenshot here.

It definitely looks like an 'apple double files' issue indeed.

Your external drive is probably formatted in a way that attaches the metadata of the files when you upload them.

The drive needs to be formatted in the default file system format for your OS. The most common default file system is HFS for Mac OS X.

I would definitely suggest you consult resources from your OS's manufacturer for steps on how to do this, though.