How do I sync iPhoto Library between 2 computers?

Forgive me if this has been asked and answered already. I have an iMac and a MacBook Air and want to sync the iPhoto library between the two. I have upgraded both the desktop and laptop to OSX 10.9 and iPhoto '11 (9.5).
I always had an iPhoto Library file (in Pictures under Finder) on EACH computer. The two did not sync, so if I added photos to one instance of the Library in a particular computer. I had to copy the Library and then paste it into the the other computer. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a fairly easy means of overcoming this, but I don't know what it is.
I had hoped the new version of iPhoto, with its closer link to iCloud would obviate this, but it only synchronises items in Photo Stream, not the entire iPhoto library. Any ideas on how I can improve this process. I do use Dropbox for all other files, and of course the iMac and MacBook Air are on the same home network.
Would I be better off putting the iPhoto Library on an external drive and then "point" both computers to that single instance of the library? If so I don't begin to know how to do it.
Thank you so much

What do you mean by "Sync".
The general term means when two Libraries (A and B) are compared and files in Library A are copied to Library B, while files in Library B are also copied to Library A so that both Libraries are identical.
This is bi-directional copying and you cannot do this automatically with iPhoto. No Syncing software is capable of parsing the iPhoto Library in this manner. One or both of your Libraries will be damaged if you try this.
You can have uni-directional copying - files in Library A are copied to Library B - this is essentially backing up. Obviously you can also copy from Library B to Library A.
The nearest you can get to syncing is to use iPhoto Library Manager to move files/Albums/Events plus associated metadata between Libraries. This process cannot be automated.
Putting the Library on an external is easy:
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library 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.
Regards
TD

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1. Use the paid version ($20) of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the libraries. It's the only way to do this.
2. Make sure the external is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Set it to ignore permissions and then pow the merge Library on it.
3. From each machine in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point iPhoto at the Library.
Some caveats:
1. Iphoto is not a server or multi-user application. One one machine can access the Library at a time.
2. Connecting via wireless is fine if all you're doing is viewing. If you're trying to edit the Library (that is, make albums, move photos around, keyword, make books or slideshows etc.) or edit individual photos in it via Wireless be very careful. Dropouts are a common fact of wireless networking, and should one occur while the app is writing to the database then your Library will be damaged. Simply, I would not do this with my Libraries.
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Can i share an iPhoto library between 2 computers, it I store my library on a AS drive connected to an AirPort Extrême Base Station ?

on a AS drive
Do you mean NAS drive? No.
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Will it be wireless? That's good for viewing but...
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No you cannot sync an iPhoto library between two macs. If you do you will corrupt the iPhoto Library file. iPhoto is a consumer level app, and this feature is not supported.
What you can do is share the photos but not the library. Each machine will need to have it's own library file.
The easiest way to do it this is to enable sharing (in the iPhoto Preferences) on both machines (one sharing the library, the other looking for the share). When you do this the shared library will appear in the Source (or left-hand) pane and pics can be dragged from that to the library in the other machine.
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brettjbyers
No you cannot sync an iPhoto library between two macs. If you do you will corrupt the iPhoto Library file. iPhoto is a consumer level app, and this feature is not supported.
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I need to share and edit photos between users on one mac. I have tried sharing the file on an external drive but this has caused all sorts of problems with photos disappearing and/or not being able to be edited. I was hoping iCloud sharing or family would work but being on the same machine I need the main iCloud account active at all times. This is a workplace so the second user has minimal access permissions.

okay I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but i just imitated the same scenario on my mac and it seems to work fine. I made sure to change permissions of the shared folder AND the the actual photo library. I gave everyone access to everything (as far as the folder & library was concerned). I uploaded & viewed from both accounts. You might want to view permissions of your entire disk in disk utility to make sure there isn't an error.. Make a backup first though.
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For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
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Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
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Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
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4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Regards
TD

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Happy New Year
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I have never posted a question to this apple forum, so forgive me if this is the wrong place to ask.
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Sorry for the bad translation.
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How do I sync iPhoto Library between 2 computers?

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