Copy items to the iphoto library does not seem to do anything

My understanding is that if I un-check "copy items to the iphoto library" images would be not be copied from the source and its just a reference.
But when I pull my external flash drive out I still see the thumbnail and can still open the image in full resolution.
So to me this makes it appear the check box is doing nothing.
Im sure it is but I cant tell what its doing.
Also if it is making a copy to my HD where is it going?
If its going to the iphotolib although I unchecked it and told it not to, where is it, I opened Show Package Contents but cant find my images.
Ed,

If you uncheck that preference (which is very strongly NOT recommended) then the originals are referenced rather than copied and the original must always be available on the eact same path
I suggest you reconsider as you will have many problems if you build a referenced library
LN

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What exactly does "Copy items to the iPhoto library" do?

Ok, so I recently switched to a Mac and will never go back.
Now, I want to understand how iPhoto works and can't figure out what "Copy items to the iPhoto library" does.
I imported one pic each way (checked and unchecked), and whether or not I have this checked, I see that the original file seems to be stored within the iPhoto library in the Pictures folder.
I have used iTunes, and I realize iPhoto is more complicated, but still, I can't figure this out.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
It does exactly what it ays.
and whether or not I have this checked, I see that the original file seems to be stored within the iPhoto library in the Pictures folder.
I think if you look closely, with the option unchecked you'll notice that the Originals folder contains an alias to the file. (The file size is a hint )
Some comments on running iPhoto in referenced mode: On import iPhoto will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
+Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.+
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, there are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Your choice, obviously, but best to be aware of all the ramifications. By all means post back if you require more info.
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Regards
TD

Copy items to the iPhoto library!

Hello everybody,
didn't have up to now checked "Copy items to the iPhoto library" and maintained them manually. Now I would like to copy all items to the iPhoto library. Is there any way for doing this?
Thank you in advance,
Doychin

Rebuilding didn't really work. It takes forever and comes with a lot of mistakes and not imported pictures. Anyway it might work for smaller libraries. I tried it 3 times and lost a lot of time!
Thank you for the help!

Copy items to the iPhoto Library option doesn't seem to work

Hi, I'm using 7.1.1 and if I:
1. De-select the create "Copy items to the iPhoto Library" option in Preferences/Advanced
2. Create a new library
It doesn't seem to work. The images are still being copied into the library -- that is, if I show the package contents of the library, the data directory has the photos. Additionally, if I do something like open, modify in photoshop and save one of the imported files, it doesn't show up in iPhoto. Likewise if I modify the file in iPhoto and then look at the photo in the file system using Preview or Photoshop, the iPhoto changes don't appear.
Is this a bug? Is it not supposed to work like this? I believe that if I say "don't copy the files into the library" it means that it uses my original photos in their original location and that changes I make in iPhoto modify and manipulate the original files.
I've tried this on two different machines and get the same results. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

markand:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. It's not a bug. You don't understand correctly how iPhoto works in the "referenced" library mode. The Data folder contains the thumbnail files that iPhoto creates and needs to operate. The Originals folder will contain alias files linked to the source files at their location. Any edits, by iPhoto or by Photoshop configured correctly will result in a modified file in the Modified folder of iPhoto. *You should not open, rename, move or edit any file in the library package from the Finder.*
Using Photoshop to edit photos in iPHoto must be done by selecting PS as the editor to use in iPhoto's General Preferences section. Then follow the instructions below to edit photos correctly:
Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Copy items to the iPhoto library selection doesn't work?

Hello,
I'm new to OS X, and new to Macs in general, so this may be a n00b question . . .
In iPhoto '11 (9.5, 902.7), I have cleared the "Copy items to the iPhoto library" entry in Preferences, then imported all my photos. However, the size of the iPhoto Library file is still enormous (40 GB), and it's the same size as when I imported the photos with the checkbox enabled.
So does this checkbox function as designed and I'm just not doing it right?
Thanks,

1 unchecking this option is very strongly NOT recommended. Doing so builds up massive problems for the future. And it accomplishes nothing
2. Checking or unchecking itpt does nothing to the existing library. It only affects future imports
I strongly suggest that you start over with a new library leaving the copy preference checked
LN

After a library has been created with the "Copy items to the iPhoto library" option unselected, can it later be made to create those copies?

iPhoto 9.4.3
iPhoto Library Manager 3.6.8
MacBook Pro - OS X 10.7.5.
I have a large number of iPhoto libraries, organized with iPhoto Library Manager, that I created with the "Copy items to the iPhoto library" option unselected because I wanted easier access to the individual files. I am now going to be migrating to a new computer and have run into some problems with iPhoto losing the path to the file, and as a result showing me the exclamation point of doom. What's more, the program doesn't seem very intelligent about rebuilding those lost connections, and I have to go back through and correct it manually almost one at a time. How do I get around this problem?
If I rebuild my new computer from a Time Machine backup (I usually enjoy taking this opportunity to start from a clean slate, but...), will the paths all be preserved without me needing to abandon my organization system?
Or is there some way to ask iPhoto or Library Manager to create and organize copies of all the photos in the library that are not currently present within the library?
On a tangentially related note, what's the best way to save keywords (and ideally also faces) added in iPhoto to the photos' meta data?
Much obliged.

Not with iPhoto by itself. If you have the lastest version of Aperture and iPhoto referenced libraries can be converted to managed with Aperture.
You can convert to a managed library with iPhoto Library Manager by rebuilding the library with iPLM. This will create a new, managed library with all your photos in it and with all Events, albums, keywords, titles, descriptions and places intact. However, books, calendars, slideshows and cards will not be retained. They will end up as albums containing the photos.
OT

In iPhoto preferences Advanced, I originally 'ticked' the "Importing: Copy items to the iPhoto Library" box. I have now installed a Drobo double back-up system and would like to delete these 'items' on my hard drive. Is this possible?

In iPhoto preferences >Advanced, I originally 'ticked' the "Importing: Copy items to the iPhoto Library" box. I have now installed a Drobo double back-up system and would like to delete these 'items' on my hard drive. Is this possible?

Not with iPhoto.
You can relocate the masters using Aperture if you're using the latest versions of both iPhoto and Aperture. However, if you're planning on using iPhoto going forward having the masters on one disk and the Library on another is not a good idea. Have a read of this
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0

Switching to "Copy items to the iPhoto library"

I created a new iPhoto library out of several folders of photos on my hard drive with "Copy items to the iPhoto library" unchecked. I've changed my mind about this method of organizing those photos. Can I now have iPhoto import them in the traditional way? I could simply create a new library but I don't want to lose the keywords.

You can use AliasHerder
AliasHerder to replace the alias files in the library with the source files.
OT

Need help with "Copy items to the iPhoto Library" option

I originally unchecked the "Copy items to the iPhoto Library" option because I wanted to keep my own file structure; however, I now want to get rid of my file structure and just import all pics into iPhoto library without losing all the editing and face recognition work I did. If I create a new library, I will have to redo all the editing which is a massive amount of work. I have a 50+GB library.
iPhoto 11 on MacBook Pro - Lion OS.

Unless you can hack an sql database, there is no way to do what you want, I'm afraid.

"MOVE" not Copy items to the iphoto library

when I check this option in the preferences it copies the photos to iphoto and it leaves me with 2 copies! Why?!?! I just want to move them into the iPhoto library permanently, but if I uncheck the box it just links to it!
How do I "MOVE" items to the iphoto library?

It's the nature of the beast. Just delete the original version of the photos after they've been copied into the library. The result, just one copy on the HD.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

HT1386 I repeatedly receive an error mesage when trying to sync my ipod touch with my new computer, "some of the items in the itunes library, were not copied to the ipod because you are not authorized for them on this computer." My computer is authorized

I repeatedly receive an error message when trying to sync my ipod touch with my itunes library with my new computer which reads, "Some of the items in the itunes library were not copied to the ipod because you are not authorized on this computer." However when I try and authorize my computer I always receive the message that this computer is authorized. What am I doing wrong? I'm missing about 100 songs as a result of this error!!

See:
iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization
iTunes repeatedly prompts to authorize computer to play iTunes Store purchases
Could the items be purchased by another account?

Some of the items in the itunes library were not copied to the ipad because they could not be found

Hi All, problem with my ipad mini. When trying to copy music over I get the following "some of the items in the itunes library were not copied to the ipad because they could not be found". I reset the ipad, as new, not a backup copy, and managed to rectify the problem, right until I downloaded IOS 6.1.3, now the problem is back and the previous solution does not work. The songs can be easily transferred to my ipad and iphone, so they are no problems with the itunes library.

The issue is in iTunes, not the iPad.
In the itunes music library go to the songs that you miss, rightclick and choose "show in Finder", that results in "not found" and you have the option to locate (and "connect" them), if they are gone from your computer, you will have to restore them from a backup or TM.

'Some of the items in the iTunes library were not copied to the iPod because they cannot be found....94 total problems' ??

"Some of the items in the iTunes library were not copied to the iPod because they cannot be found....94 total problems"
I keep getting this everytime I plug in my iPod ....I really dont want to lose NINETY FOUR songs, as these are the most played ones! I don't know why it's doing this and its freakin annoying!
Can anybody PLEASE help me?????

Thanks for the answer, but this is not a nano, it's a 5th gen 60GB wth video.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1353
Disk use is already enabled and I manually manage my music.

One of the items in the iTunes library were not copied to the ipod because they cannot be played on this ipod

i have been trying to figure what the problem with my ipod touch is, im downloading songs from a different source and not itunes store, recently i have had a msg being displayed at the end of synching 'some of the items in the iTunes library were not copied to the ipod because they cannot be played on this ipod'. however the songs play fine in itunes.
i have re-installed itunes several times, deleted all my music and iported it again. retored my ipod and still i have the same msg. its only stating 8 songs so far that cannot be copied onto my ipod. please can someone help as ive tried everything that i can possibly do. thanks.

Hello mobyash,
Have you tried converting each of these 8 tracks to a different file format and seeing if they will then sync to your iPod. See this Apple support document for information and instructions on how to convert a song to a different format.
iTunes: How to convert a song to a different file format
B-rock

When i try and sync my IPOD Nano it says 'some of the items in the itunes library were not copied because they could not be found'. Unfortunately this is pretty much all my library! Help!

When i try and sync my IPOD Nano it says 'some of the items in the itunes library were not copied because they could not be found'. Unfortunately this is pretty much all my library! Help!

This means iTunes can no longer locate the file in the location specified via the Get Info window for each individual track. See the article for assistance.
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
B-rock

Copy items to the iphoto library does not seem to do anything

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