Adobe Bridge 4 vs Iphoto 09 using referenced libraries

I've always used iphoto with referenced libraries, usually with no problem with an external HD with my imac. The reason: I don't want to consume my HD with hundreds of photos and video files and large photoshop files. Here's what I would like to do. I recently purchased Apple's new time capsule, and would like to do the following, store all these media files on the time capsule, with iphoto's library on my imac's HD and referencing those media files on the time capsule, wirelessly. My question is, would adobe bridge be a better way to view and track these media files rather than using iphoto? Any insight with either programs would be appreciated.
I do like using iphoto for creating web galleries with mobileme, and the occasional phonebook. In those instances, I usually copy over the files to my hd and copy them into iphoto so there are no corruption issues.
Oh, and the other reason to storing these files on the time capsule is so that my husband's pc laptop and my mac laptop (powerpc G5) would have access to these files too.

1. You know that's not a supported use for a Time Capsule, right?And folks who have tried storing items other than Back Ups on there have had permissions issues etc.
2. Running a Referenced Library is fraught with problems +should anything go wrong+. This is particularly the case where the Library and the files are stored on different volumes. If the path changes in any way you will need to resolve each alias individually. There is no need to have all the photos referenced if you want to store them on an external drive. You can easily run a Managed library from an external disk.
3. I'm not sure what, if anythign, Bridge would bring to the set up. It's a file browser and not a Photo Organiser. You might want to post on an Adobe forum for more on Bridge. The one thing I will tell you is that the "file management" capabilities of Bridge make it lethal to photos also managed by iPhoto.
Regards
TD

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Using Adobe Bridge and iPhoto together

I use Adobe Bridge (and Photoshop) to work on my photos. iPhoto is not an option since I shoot in Camera RAW. I also own an Apple TV and want to store all of my photos in iPhoto so they are available to the rest of my family via Apple TV. Has anyone figured out a way to do image manipulation first in Bridge & Photoshop and then have them sent (or later updated) in iPhoto in an automated fashion?
Conceptually, every time I add or change a photo in Bridge or Photoshop, I'd like to convert it to JPG, and add or modify the image in iPhoto.

Also make sure PS's File handing preferences "Macimize PSD and PSB File Compatibility" is set to Always and that there are no alpha channels in the file. An alpha channel will cause the black image that you're referring to.
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.

Adobe bridge vs. iphoto

i now use adobe bridge (which acts like 'finder') to view/organize photos because i like to organize them my own way.
can i use iphoto with out "copying" my photos into iphoto? this seems like a huge waste of space.
is there a way to not have iphoto organize my pics for me (like the option for music in itunes)?
a few years ago i tried iphoto and hated the way it organized your actual photos, with huge hierarchical folder trees. i would prefer to not be program dependent for organization.
since i have a macbook pro, an ipad and an iphone - and the icloud is coming this fall, i want to be all prepared and organized for the migration.
is iphoto the way to go?

is iphoto the way to go?
Depends...
Here's the thing: When you say this:
i now use adobe bridge (which acts like 'finder') to view/organize photos because i like to organize them my own way.
...You're not entirely accurate. What you're actually doing is using the Finder to organise the files and then Bridge to view this organisation.
So, I can understand your frustration when you say
i tried iphoto and hated the way it organized your actual photos, with huge hierarchical folder trees.
But it doesn't. Yes it organises files into folders but your files are not your Photos.
iPhoto is designed for people who want to organise their Photos and to take the chore of file management away. How iPhoto organises the files is of no relevance, you do all your work in the iPhoto Window, organising your photos, a job that is done with no reference to the location of the files on the HD. Iphoto tracks the relationship between the two, of course, but does it in the background and is invisible to you.
So, you have to make a small leap: That jpeg file is not your Photo, it's just a container that carries your photo. So forget about the container and, instead, focus on the contents: Your photos.
If you can make that leap you can easily become a contented user of iPhoto. If you can't, then forget about it because you'll never be happy with it.
How the files are stored on the HD is of no relevance, because after importing you never need to access them again (tho' of course, there are ways too - see below). Anything you need to do with your Photos - edit them, email them, upload them, print them, use in other apps, whatever - but literally, anything you can do either with or via iPhoto. You can edit them in iPhoto. You can edit them in Photoshop. You can email with Apple's Mail, or via a Web Browser and the Gmail service. You can easily get your photos into iPhoto and just as easily get them out again. You can get the Original, unedited file you imported, or the edited version of it. Any metadata that you add in iPhoto can be written to the files on export and so on.
(Small caveat: Faces can't be written to the file. There's no protocol for sharing faces on any photo application, made by anyone on any system.)
So, there's no wasted space and yes, you can organise your Photos any way you want.
i would prefer to not be program dependent for organization.
But you always are. Right now you're dependent on a mixture of the Finder and Bridge for it. If they are on a computer then some app is managing them
To your specific question:
A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing. The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.
This is an attractive option for some users at face value, but it contains a significant number of issues that you might want to consider before making the decision to run a Referenced Library
How to do it:
iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck the box at 'Copy items to the iPhoto Library'
Now when you import iPhoto makes an alias in the Library Package that points to the stored file. Note: iPhoto still creates a thumbnail of the image and it makes a Preview of edited photos inside the Library Package.
Issues?
1. You are responsible for file management. That's more work:
You must first move the files from your camera to the storage location before importing.
If you want to delete files then you must first trash them from iPhoto and then afterwards find them in your storage and trash them.
Thereafter, you cannot move the files on early versions of iPhoto at all, on iPhoto 08 and later you may move them on the same Volume or Disk. If you move them to a new volume or disk the aliases my break. If they are on an different volume and you move them the aliases will break.
You cannot rename the files.
Migrating: moving to a new machine, moving the files to another disk are all a lot more complex.
2. You gain no extra functionality from running a Referenced Library. Nothing. This is just storage. You still manage the files via iPhoto. You edit them with iPhoto or via iPhoto's External Editor setting, otherwise you're changes will not be available in iPhoto. You don't save byte of storage space.
3. If you have the Library on one volume and the photos on another you if anything changes in the path to a file (Like if you upgrade your machine, move the files on the NAS or on to another one?) then the alias will break, and you'll have to repair it manually. For every photo in the Library. One at a time.
Why do you want to run a Referenced Library?
Because my photos won't fit on my HD?
You can run a Managed library from an external disk. 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.
You're worried about accessing the files?
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. 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.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.
Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
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.
Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: 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. 3.b.
b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
You want to edit them in Photoshop and not iPhoto
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.
Iphoto is not for everyone, and may well not be for you. But it's not the ogre or dragon that it might seem. If you want to organise you Photos then it's pretty good for the guy with a point and shoot camera. However, if you want to organise files then stick with a file organiser.
My best advice to you:
Create an iPhoto Library. Import 250 pics, and explore.
Regards
TD

Adobe bridge or iphoto with photoshop elements

Hi I am a new Mac user - have come from windows then linux and finally hoping to be less frustrated on a Mac!!
I am just learning about all of the features on iphoto, adobe bridge and elements (which i have used before). I need the editing capacity of elements but am unsure of which photo database / organisational system would be best for me to work with it.
I am not a photographer but have lots of photos and I do a lot of website editing.
Currently I have several versions of an original photo, eg cropped and rescaled to particular dimensions for a particular site and in other dimensions for another site - some sites have 100kb limits, some pictures need to be specific sizes - eg 555 x 135 pixels but don't have such specific size limitations. i currently organise these by putting crop or web or header file name extensions to the original file and save as.
I re-use the files a lot so need to keep the saved versions - otherwise I have to re-edit them each time.
In iphoto it seems that I need to make duplicates of the original to be able to have several versions all side by side to choose from but this will triple or quadruple the hard disk space when i just need to save the versions (much smaller in size) as different files.
Otherwise I think I need to save it to the desktop and then import it which is time consuming and messy.
In bridge it seems more flexible for this particular feature but it doesn't seem to have all the features that iphoto has for other projects like making books, calenders, the face recognition etc.
I know I need to choose between the two and stick with one, but am unsure which would be best.
Is there a way to save various versions of an original in iphoto easily after it is edited in photoshop and to have some system of naming the files so I can see which version it is as it not always easy to see quality differences in a thumbnail?
Thank you very much for your advice.

iPhoto is a Mom and Pop photo organiser and you’re usage is a bit beyond that.
In iphoto it seems that I need to make duplicates of the original to be able to have several versions all side by side to choose from but this will triple or quadruple the hard disk space when i just need to save the versions (much smaller in size) as different files.
Yes you will. Aperture has the ability to have different versions from one Master.
Otherwise I think I need to save it to the desktop and then import it which is time consuming and messy.
Hard to see what that would save really.
Is there a way to save various versions of an original in iphoto easily after it is edited in photoshop and to have some system of naming the files so I can see which version it is as it not always easy to see quality differences in a thumbnail?
No, you can’t have different versions from one Master (see above) but if you duplicate a file you can give the dupe a title.
Regards
TD

Adobe Bridge and IPhoto import

How do I import photos from IPhoto to Adobe Bridge. Or move them to a different folder?
Thanks,
joe

You are talking about two application none of which is Photoshop.
I think you should look for the appropriate Fora.

IPhoto: Using Adobe Bridge

I am presently using both iPhoto and FCPX. I only use iPhoto store the photos and images I use in albums. If I need to modify them I take them into Photoshop and then save them backin iPhoto. However, I now have about 5,000 images and feel a need to be able to sort them further and do more global commands on them (such as resize). For this, I really miss using Adobe Bridge. Is there a way to use Adobe Bridge with iPhoto?

Thank you. I am beginning to think I need to investigate exactly what and how much iPhoto really does. I didn't know it was this powerful. I will go to the link you gave me.
I think I am feeling overwhelmed with so many images because I need to find a good way to organize them via keyword (which I know iPhoto does - I just don't know how to select by keyword "yet").
I did like the capability in Bridge of selecting a lot of photos together and resizing them to all the same size in one command (via Photoshop).
I really do need a powerful photo manager so I need to understand how much iPhoto can do for me. I see I also have a lot of duplicates now so my initial idea of sorting by photo album name was not a good idea. I need to use keywords instead.
If iPhoto doesn't allow me to resize a batch of photos in one command, for the few times I need to do it, I can always export them into a folder and then do it in Photoshop because I would want to retain the photo in its original size anyway.
Now to the link you gave me . . .

Browsing iphoto library on 7.1.3 on adobe bridge??

Ever since I've upgraded to leopard and ilife 08 I cannot browse my iphoto library through any browsers or search tabs? If I click on the icon it will only let me browse through iphoto...
I can right click and "view package contents" but not through adobe bridge? What happened? Why can I not browse the Modified and original folders like I used to??

Bridge and iPhoto DO NOT play well together - you can not use Adobe bridge with iPhoto
Why can I not browse the Modified and original folders like I used to??
the iPhoto library is a UNIX style package now for complete access info read TD's post in this thread - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1371662&tstart=15
LN

Can't Directly Rate my Images using Stars in Adobe Bridge CS3

Hi
I can rate my images in Adobe Bridge CS3 by using the drop down 'Label' menu. However, I cannot rate my image by stars directly under my image thumbnails as my book suggests I can. The book states: "You can also assign stars directly under the thumbnail by clicking on the dots".
Is there anyway I can do this? Do I have to change some preferences?
Many thanks in advance for anticipated help.

try resetting your preferences by holding Ctrl right after you launch Bridge(you have to be fast, you'll get a dialog box if you succeeded)
Though you'd need to do this only if you are doing it correctly in the first place. With a picture selected you'll notice 5 small dots beneath its thumbnail which you can click on to rate things. If you don't see the dots then increase the thumbnail size by adjusting the slider at the bottom of the screen

Can't import pic/video via Adobe Bridge anymore

I just installed ios 7 on the iphone 5.
I tried to import my pic/videos to my mac book pro via Adobe Bridge like I always do,
but Adobe Bridge(or iPhotos) doesn't recognize any files on the iphone.
I never had this issue before.
How can I make Bridge recognize the files for me to import the files to the computer?
If someone had the same problem and solved it please let me know.
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Hey Sue,
Thanks for the reply. The external drive is formatted MS-DOS File System (FAT32). I had to do this because I had problems with it at first when I was using it interchangeably with a Mac and a PC. When it was Mac formatted it wouldn't be compatible with my PC for some reason (or I could read files, but couldn't write - something like that). Any suggestions?
Thanks again,
Dylan

Adobe Bridge in Photoshop - How to install Bridge and camera raw? And what is it all about?

Hi everyone! I am actually in love with this adobe photoshop. I used PSCS2 before, but later on upgraded to CS4. But I feel tired in upgrading to CS5.
One time, I found a tutorial in youtube about camera raw, and would really want to use it. But I was wondering how to install the camera raw. I believe camera raw is a plugin? so I downloaded the plugin here, installed it in my PS. I downloaded a file Camera Raw.8bi and paste it on my C drive - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop CS4\Plug-ins\File Formats.
I now am very confused, how will I open it? I do not have adobe bridge! After I installed the camera raw, I opened my PS. I clicked the file>then browse in bridge. I had an error, it's "error 2 photoshop11 undefined". Which is what I thought, I might have done something wrong with installing it.
My question is, do you still need adobe bridge installed in order to use camera raw?
If yes, how does it work? How am I suppose to open camera raw?
If no, how am I going to open camera raw without bridge?
And also, where will I download adobe bridge? I cannot find one here for CS4, only adobe bridge for CS5. I am wondering, is it okay to install adobe bridge CS5 and use it with my PS CS4?
I badly need help!

WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a set of extensions to HTTP/1.1.
The main difference from FTP as far as I can see is that it allows you to edit documents on a remote web server.
WebDAV was used by the Apple server - MobileMe but is not generally supported by hosting services.
Using WebDAV you can mount a directory locally. This was how iDisk worked on your Mac and you could drag files onto it to upload them to the remote directory.
With WebDAV, a number of users can share a directory which is why its used in local networks but presents security problems when using a remote server.
If you are into file sharing rather than publishing, Dropbox or its new rival SugarSync are more appropriate.

Problem Adobe Bridge 64 bit or 32 bit and Wacom Intuos tablets on Win 7 or 8

I've recently started using the Wacom Intuos 5 tablet both at work and at home. I've enjoyed the experience for the most part, except for this one problem with Adobe Bridge. I use the 64 bit version, but even in 32 bit the problem was apparent. This problem appears in both Windows 7 and Windows 8.
The Problem
After launching Bridge, attempting to select an image seems to lock the application. You cannot select, double click, anything. If you enable your mouse, the cursor becomes active and acts as if you had held down the mouse button and were dragging over objects.
The Solution
After much searching I finally came across this link on Wacom's support site. It seems that if you have Windows Sticky Notes open, as I did on both machines, the Wacom tablet doesn't work as it should. I didn't realize that Sticky Notes allowed for pen input on the notes, which I discovered attempting to edit text on them.
Shutting down Sticky Notes does indeed fix the Wacom issue. The real question is why Bridge cares if Sticky Notes is open.

I'm having the same exact issue you've described here except that I don't use windows sticky notes
Anyone know if there are other applications that cause a similar issue?
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Adobe Bridge PS2

I use Adobe Photoshop PS2 on an older machine (running Windows 2000). I would like to get Adobe Bridge PS2 for use on that machine. Can someone help me find it? --Margaret

function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
John Waller wrote:
(rather than PS2 which does not exist)
Hey, I have had two different PS2s! Neither was Photoshop, though one was a (very slow) IBM computer and had a slash in its name.
The mistake is forgiveable. It's one of those monikers that just sounds right.
-Noel

Using Adobe Bridge file structure with iPhoto (latest version)

I use Adobe Bridge and have all my pics in named folders in Pictures/PICS/Folder Names. Inside the PICS folder is the iPhoto Library (only a few pics in it). Is there any way I can use the file structure I have set up with Bridge and iPhoto (latest) simultaneously? I really dont want to import (copy) all my pics into IPhot because I am pretty sure I will end up with two versions of each. I havent been able to manage pics manually the way I like to in older versions of iPhoto.

Here's some info to help you setup Photoshop for use with iPhoto:
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts 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
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This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Note 1: screenshots are from PSE 10
Note: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
OT

I've been using Iphoto as a primary download program for years. As of today, when I click a thumbnail to open the photo, I get a black screen with an exclamation mark on some shots. Also, these shots can't be dragged into Adobe Bridge. Would love help!

I use Iphoto as my primary download tool, then drag images into Adobe Bridge. Just today, when I tried to open a photo by clicking a thumbnail, all I got was an image of an exclamation mark and I couldn't drag the shot either. These are images I've successfully opened and dragged before. I would love guidance from anyone who knows a fix for this. Thanks! John

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto?
As Larry says, your workflow doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you're using iPhoto only for downloading then you're best off using Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) and just keep the whole database element out if it. If you're using iPhoto also to organise, then what are you using Bridge for? Anything you do in Bridge - or Photoshop - is unavailable in iPhoto if you work this way.
Regards
TD

Using iPhoto '08 Library w/ Adobe Bridge?

How can import my iPhoto '08 Library into Adobe Bridge?

Mason
I'm not sure that this will work, so back up first.
The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves. If you're willing to risk database corruption, you can restore the older functionality simply by right clicking on the iPhoto Library and choosing 'Show Package Contents'. Then simply make an alias to the folders you require and put that alias on the desktop or where ever you want it. Be aware though, that this is a hack and not supported by Apple.
Regards
TD

Adobe Bridge 4 vs Iphoto 09 using referenced libraries

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