Sync single iPhoto library between two computers

My wife and I have different computers and, therefore, separate iPhoto libraries. I know I can use Iphoto Library Manager to consolidate the two libraries, but is there a way anyone can think of where the two of us can each have a full copy of the library, and have all modifications to the "common" library AUTOMATICALLY sync? I know we could share the library and manually copy the photos from one to the other library, but this would be tedious and completely defeat the purpose of Apple's "It just works" mind-set.
Or am I asking too much?
What if there were a way to flag photos in the common library as "Mine" and not "Ours"? That way my wife wouldn't have to "suffer" through my Sci-Fi wallpaper collection and Dr. Who posters. Likewise I would not need to see the photos for school assignments, etc... that she needs available, but we still both have common I/O access to the "common" family photos?
That may be asking to much...

No there's no way to automatically sync two Libraries, and trying to do so will trash one or both of them because no syncing software can parse the iPhoto Library database.
Yes you could have a common Library and keep each other's content separate. Simply keyword the pics 'His' and 'Hers' and use a simple Smart Album to separate them out. You can even - based on those tags - make two master Events - one for her pics and one for his.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

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    brettjbyers
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    brettjbyers
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  • Sharing iPhoto Library between Two User Accounts

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    Regards
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  • How do I sync iPhoto Library between 2 computers?

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    What do you mean by "Sync".
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    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:
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    Regards
    TD

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    cut and dry ???
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    Regards
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  • Syncing iPhoto library on two computers

    My wife wants to have access to her VERY LARGE iPhoto '08 library on two computers - the desktop (her preferred) and the laptop (when the boys are doing homework on the desktop).
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    The sync seems to be working well - EXCEPT the changes are not showing up in the iPhoto viewer. In other words...
    ...she added pictures to iPhoto on the desktop and then synced the laptop.
    ...Looking inside the iPhoto library (show package contents...) on the laptop and the new pictures were copied to the laptop.
    ...HOWEVER, when she opens iPhoto on the laptop they don't show up in the window.
    I'm sure I'm missing something brainless. I thought it might be that the library needed to be updated but can't figure out how?
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    Danktuft:
    If you have an external HD connected to the Mac then it's a very easy thing to do. See Apple's KB document on iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users. Trying to get a library in the Shared folder to accept two different users is difficult. There is a site describing how to do that using Access Control Lists in Tiger: Share an iPhoto Library in Tiger Using ACL's. It may not work if you upgrade to Leopard at a later date. By far the easiest way is the external HD method.
    Happy New Year
    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.

  • Sharing single iPhoto library between 2 users on a single computer

    Hello,
    I am currently using iPhoto 5 on a Mac Mini with 2 total users on the computer.
    I know that it is easy to share iPhoto pictures over a server with other computers, but does anyone know how to share a single library between 2 users on the same computer?
    I would like my wife and I to share a single library of pictures so that we can each upload pics from our digital camera of our family and friends and both have access to them. Currently, we each have to have separate libraries and it is difficult to share photos even between us. If this is not possible on iPhoto 5 or 6, this would be a great upgrade for the next version.
    By the way, I was able to work a similar problem out with music out so that all users share a single iTunes library of songs by placing the library in the "shared" folder, but this is not possible with the iPhoto library.
    Thanks for your help!
    Mac Mini - G4   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    Hi mconnor,
    Here are all the links I have for sharing an iPhoto Library.
    I think you would be interested in the ACL link for your situation. Hope it works for you.
    SHARING IPHOTO LIBRARIES
    Sharing libraries between users on the same local network
    You can also share a library on the same machine between users the same way.
    Sharing libraries between users on the same machine...
    -both users must have sharing enabled in their iPhoto Preferences
    -both users must be logged in and have iPhoto running
    -Remember that you can only view the other library. You can't edit the photos or play the saved slideshows or view the made books or burn them to CD or DVD. The books and slideshows will show up as an album. You can play that album as an "on the fly" slideshow. You can drag images from the sharing library to your library in the source column to import them to your library. You can then edit, add to albums, books, slideshow, etc.
    Sharing links from Apple....
    Sharing your photos between computers
    About shared photos
    Turning off photo sharing
    Looking for shared photos
    SHARING ONE IPHOTO LIBRARY BETWEEN USERS ON SAME MACHINE
    You can try one of these three methods:
    1- Use iPhoto Library Manager-the paid version
    The documentation page will give instructions on how it is done.
    2- Sharing one iPhoto library between several users on one machine
    3- Share an iPhoto Library in tiger Using ACL's
    4- I have also read about ShareAlike
    There is no other info on the site about how it works.
    I strongly urge anyone wanting to try any of the methods for sharing one iPhoto Library folder among more than one user to backup all iPhoto Library folders before attemptin anything.

  • How do i share iPhoto library between two user accounts

    I need to share my iphoto pictures between two accounts on the same computer

    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.
    Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
    Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
    If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
    Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
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    In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
    However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.

  • Sync library between two computers

    I want to sync my music libraries so that the songs I uncheck, are unchecked on both computers.
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    I have a macbook at home with my physical library.
    I use itunes match so I have my music on my work cpu (PC)
    When I'm at work, I unchecked the songs I don't want to listen to... and do the same at home, but they are not in sync.
    Thoughts?
    Thanks!

    No there's no way to automatically sync two Libraries, and trying to do so will trash one or both of them because no syncing software can parse the iPhoto Library database.
    Yes you could have a common Library and keep each other's content separate. Simply keyword the pics 'His' and 'Hers' and use a simple Smart Album to separate them out. You can even - based on those tags - make two master Events - one for her pics and one for his.
    Regards
    TD

  • "Sync" iPhoto library between two macs

    I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro. The iMac is my my iPhoto central - where I usually import, edit etc. However, I'd like to be able to do some editing, deleting, and general cleaning up of the iphoto library while commuting and using my MacBook Pro. Then I'd like to somehow sync that so that my iphoto library iMac reflects the same changes.
    Any suggestions for a strategy/process for this - preferably without using 3rd party applications?
    Would this be easier if I used Aperture?

    Two possibiities:
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    2. Or use Aperture to do the same thing. Select the projects in Aperture and export them as a new Library. After working on them import the library back to the main Aperture library.
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