Back Up iPhoto Files on CD or DVD- Correct Procedure

Can you post here or point me to the recommended Procedure for backing up iphoto files on external drive to disk (CD or DVD)? I have read many bits and pieces through various postings, but didn't see one procedure that contains all the steps.
My external hard disk crashed, along with my iphoto libraries. I do have a back up copies of my iphoto files, so I will be restoring most of the photos. However, among these disks I have one CD backup copy I did that doesn't seem to work. Not sure what I did wrong with that one.
Please advise specifically which file folders to copy (or drag? or import?) and any special settings. Also, if you could add a procedure for incremental back ups. I have read the recommendation to copy the iphoto6.library folder regularly Should I save this on the disk with the photo files or on a separate disk labeled with the same date and library name. Also, I'd like to hear your advise for handling incremental backups for new rolls added.
Finally, if I purchase SuperDuper or DejaVu, will these applications better serve me in other ways and accomplish the same goal? I do use Backup, but I am concerned that it has too many limitations.
As soon as I get my HD back, I plan to put the iphoto libraries back on the external drive and want to get a clean procedure going, after this scare.
I am learning lots from this experience...

Hello, Sue,
Sorry about your drive crash! Nice that you did back up your photos, though.
Are you using the external drive as a backup to your computer's drive for iPhoto?
Or, are you using the external drive as the primary location for your iPhoto Library(ies)? If you are using the external as the primary location, then you will need another external drive as a backup, or burn the photos to CDs or DVDs.
Re: your previously burned CD--I am not sure why it does not work for you, but, there are two methods of burning photos to disks:
1. Burning from WITHIN iPhoto Burn from iPhoto--this method creates a disk that appears in the Source Pane of iPhoto when the disk is inserted into the computer's drive. It will keep your photos and albums looking as they did in iPhoto, but you need to be in iPhoto to access the photos. They do not need to be reimported. This is a good method for storage and easy access. You can delete these photos from your current library and just pop in the disk when you want them.
2. Burning from FINDER Burn from Finder--this method stores the photos for you, and can be accessed by any computer. When the disk mounts, you will have to reimport these photos into iPhoto to work with them. They will not be in albums, unless you specifically export them from iPhoto giving them the album name. (Post back if you want to do this; more instructions). This is a good method for backing up and having access to the photos on any computer that can read a disk.
I think it is a good idea to have both a backup external drive and the photos burned to disks. I have most of my photos burned to disks via method 2 just to preserve the photos. These are my old scanned-in snapshots, and I am not so worried about losing them on a drive because I have the negatives and the actual prints. (It would take a while to locate the negatives, but the prints are all in photo albums and labeled!).
I also have created iMovies and burned to DVDs, all the photos and videos of our family for a 17-year time period. (I have about 10 year's worth more to do to 2006, and probably a couple more encompassing photos from 1890s-1970s).
So, I will eventually have three backups: my external drive, the movie-DVDs, and DVD disks of the photos; in addition to the prints.
Some purists and worriers think that for the long-term archiving, we should be printing out our digital photos onto acidfree paper and placing them carefully in albums designed to preserve the photos. They think that DVDs can become damaged or obsolete and that the only way to really keep a photo is via paper prints.
Specifically, you will want to back up the entire iPhotoLibrary folder from Finder. This is the folder that by default is located in your 'Pictures' folder. Initially, you just drag the entire folder over to the external drive. (By the way, be sure that your external drive is Mac-formatted. Most are preformatted for PCs, so check).
When it has finished copying, you have backed up your library.
If you import more photos, you need to back up again. It is easiest just to drag the whole folder over again.
Some of us like to break up our library into several libraries. I have about ten or so, broken by dates. Since I have scanned in all my old photos, and edited most of them, I don't need to back up those libraries until I do some more editing. The current year's library I back up after almost every photo import. I back up the whole library--not incrementally.
Old Toad recommends making a backup copy of that Library6.iPhoto database file:
+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.+
If you do create multiple libraries, you will need to backup this database file for EACH of them. I created a Library6.iPhoto backup folder, and I made a subfolder for each of them with that library's name on it and put the corresponding Library6.iPhoto file into its subfolder, carefully noticing which library I am backing up.
Just remember, the three rules of computer data:
1. Backup
2. Backup
3. Backup
And, my favorite, "There are two types of computer users: those who have lost data, and those who will." Having been both.....lost some papers my daughter wrote when an external failed.....I am now more cautious.

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What is the best way to back up iphoto "files"?

I use time machine but this backs up the "library". I want to back up the files.
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One of the reasons I want to do this is when I upgrade the OS, its gonna erase the hard drive and I want to make sure that the files are stored in one other place besides the time machine, before I upgrate...
THANKS!
JB

File -> Export.
Select what you want to Export: Original, Jpeg or Tiff and then export to folders on the desktop. Drag those wherever you need them
Or, just drag the whole iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder to the External - that way you get everything, files included.
Regards
TD

Backing up iPhoto files to an external hard drive.

I cannot drag and drop, nor copy and paste photos from iPhoto to an external hard drive, whether as a copy of the complete iPhoto library or as individual photos, nor can I copy/drag a copy of the iPhoto library from the desktop to an external hard drive. It seems every thread I've read and tried on the internet hasn't helped, and yet this seems, from looking at forums, a very common complaint.... Any advice? Thank you..

Select or highlight the photos you would like to copy to your external hard drive. On iPhoto, File > Export > File Export > Kind: JPEG ( set JPEG quality, size & file name to your preference) > EXPORT > Double click the location you would like to send the copies to (In this case - your External Hard Drive) > open and place JPEGs in your new location. This action does Not remove your original JPEGs, but rather, copies to your new location. Hope this helps make your life easier….

Backing up iPhoto files

I've been searching through the forum and see that this question has been posed in many different forms. Perhaps you might find it okay if I add another to the long list?
I have approximately 13 gb of space in my iPhoto library. Yes, long overdue to do a through backup of photos. I'd like to do that now. In the past I have tried to do this my dropping and dragging my iPhoto library to an external hard drive. However, I can't always seem to open some of the photos (they all have jpeg extensions). I am apprehensive to back up, delete off my laptop and then lose photos.
I'd like to know the best and most effecient way to backup my photos to an external hard drive. I don't want to lost any extensions or other hidden files that can happen at times. (I had that experience with iMovie)
I know I can back up to CD and DVD, however it seems to me that an external hard drive would be better.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks so much in advance. I will continue to wade through the other questions and comments, yet look forward to any other thoughts.
Powerbook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.4) Power Mac G4, iMac G3

Maina',
My desk here faces north. Howdy.
Go ahead and turn journaling on. It is generally a good thing that allows the OS to record the files and activity on the hard drive. This allows for some automatic repair to occur if there is a minor glitch. There is a slight chance of it slowing down performance with extremely CPU intensive tasks, but with most newer hard drives this will not be a problem. Leave it on unless you have major problems and are told to turn it off by a Mac expert. [I just learned most of this by interviewing my DH, who is a Mac expert. lol]
Ownership. With the drive mounted, click its icon in the Finder and do a Get Info (command-i). At the bottom of the info box below "Details" is a box that says: "Ignore ownership on this volume." You can check this box, unless you have roommates that you are concerned about getting into your files. What this accomplishes is that the ownership and permissions of the files on that drive will not matter. Sometimes they interfere with iPhoto's ability to import a photo. For example, when copying an iPhoto library from one Mac to another with a different User name, iPhoto may refuse to import or open the photos. Turning off ownership on your external drive will enable you to move it from one Mac to another, even if the user names are different.
Or, you can take a tip from Old Toad: "...download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, putting your administrative name in the owner and group sections. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field."
This sets the permissions for all photos so that there is no conflict with your user name. Old Toad often recommends this procedure when moving a library from one Mac to another.
I can't comment on Retrospect Express, as I don't have it.
As for the Automator tip from Toad's Cellar: I believe that the iPhoto 5 database file is called "library.iPhoto" (without the 6). Old Toad has said that the Automator workflow application can be edited to update this file for iPhoto 5. I haven't used his Automator app. I just make it a habit to duplicate the database file in the Finder. I do this every time I have made changes to the iPhoto library, right after I close iPhoto. While it's no substitute for a full back-up library, it is extra insurance against database corruption. The database can get corrupted if there is an interruption in power while iPhoto is writing to it. Our power blips off so frequently that I am sure to need this backup file sooner or later.
Having a backup of your backup is a good plan. You should be covered.
Regards,
Smtr

How do I back up iPhoto 9.6 content on DVD

I have a Time Capsule but sadly it is in another country and now my macbook needs to be replaced directly via Apple at the local store here.
To prevent access to all my childrens photos aside from all other financial account info etc i want to back the photos all up myself and just erase the macbook.
I do not have access to the Time Capsule, so have about 10,000 photos in iPhoto 9.6 which i think is the latest version.
How do i back up them all up to DVD? I cannot see any burn option.
And if i should be backing all my photos up NOT from IPhoto but from some other location, where do I find them on the macbook in finder....? I only see folders there that then open iPhoto so have not made any progress.
Please help!
Thanks

It might be prudent for you go purchase a portable external hard drive and clone your entire iPhoto library to it before you erase your Macbook. Then with your new Macbook you can use the Migration Assistant to restore your files back to the new Mac.
Otherwise you'll need to export all of your events to the desktop via File ➙ Export ➙ File Export menu option with Kind = Original and Subfolder format = Event title. Then burn the folder to the DVDs. Personally, the time and effort required to burn all of your Event folders and other documents to disks and then copy them back would overshadow the cost of an EHD. The demo version of Carbon Copy Cloner can be used to clone your drive to the EHD.

Burn 32Gb iPhoto file to 4.7Gb DVD's

I have 2011 Macbook pro. Have 12600 pics file (32GB) I need to copy to 4.7Gb DVD's for backup/security but when I try to upload/burn the file to DVD it says file to big so won't allow sequential burn to 8 DVD's. Is there a way around this?
Thanks,
Nick B

John Kernan wrote:
I keep getting the message that it is too big. What's the secret?
That's because a "4.7" GB DVD is 4.7 GB in decimal notation, but is actually 4.38GB in binary, which is the way computers see data.
You get this by dividing the decimal GB by 1.0737.
So you can see that your 4.4 GB is a tad too large for the DVD.
Looking at it the other way, your 4.4GB of data is 4.72 GB the way DVDs are measured.
Message was edited by: nerowolfe

How do I get backed up Aperture files into my new iMac correctly?

Here's the deal. My 4 year old iMac HD failed. My the Time Machine backup software in the Time Capsule was somehow corrupted so I could't just restore or Migrate the files to my new iMac. I was able to retrieve the actual "Pictures" folder from my TC. Temporarily I have placed them in a folder on my new iMac's desk top. I reloaded Aperture 3 and am now wanting to be able to populate Aperture as it was before with my photos with photos that have been post processed showing all of those changes...etc. Is it as simple as moving all of these files to the new iMac's "Pictures" folder in my User? I don't want to mess this up!
Thanks for any help!
Greg

Hello Greg,
that looks like you imported some of your masters as referenced. You best put those folders in exactly the similar position inside the Pictures folder as you originally had them on your old drive.
Then use Aperture to consolidate them into your new library.
First you need to reconnect them to the versions:
That is best done by creating a smart album that contains all images that need reconnecting: Define a smart album with the rule: File status is offline (or missing), depending on what you see.
Then select all images in that album and select "File -> Locate Referenced Files" from the menu.
You now should see a dialogue that shows the images that need reconnecting in the upper part of the window, and a file chooser in the lower part.
In the File chooser select the coorect master files corresponding to the missing files in the upper part of the window.
If you are lucky, the reconnect all button will become active and you can reconnect your masters.
Léonie

Backing up iphoto and other files via DVD

I have about 2000 photos and 1500 songs on my mac, and (silly me) have not fully backed them up. I have a superdrive (can burn DVDs or CDs) as well as an iomega zip for backup. I tried 3 ways, to no avail:
1) The zip drive is not large enough to hold even a portion of the iphoto library.
2) I can move portions of the iphoto library and burn CDs, but it takes 4 CDs to do so. There has to be an easier way.
3) I was trying to backup using DVD-ROM process (within iDVD), but idvd kept crashing prior to burning the DVD. (per the apple help directions, I select "Customize button" on iDVD menu, then Status, then change "encoder status" to DVD-ROM contents, then drag over iphoto library. It makes it over, but then crashes prior to my being able to burn DVD-ROM.
Any suggestions? I guess I could buy an external hard drive or .imac, but hoping to do this on the cheap.
Thanks.

I might be missing something. Why not just back all your data up to a DVD?
Pop in a blank DVD, double-click to open it. Drag all the stuff you want into the DVD window. Then choose File < Disk Burn.

Back up large iPhoto file to DVD

I want to back up a 25 gig iPhoto library to DVD's to store off site. There is no breakdown into folders to burn individually. Any idea how to burn this large file onto multiple DVD's?

To add to Terence's suggestion make sure the total size of photos selected, probably best done by Events, is only about 4 GB. That's because the acutal burned size will be larger due to the overhead of modified, thumbnail and database files. If you select much more than 4 GB as determined by iPhoto you'll get part way thru the process and get the not enought room message.
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.

What is the best way to back up photos and videos to a dvd from iPhoto, not in iPhoto format but just in jpeg format to access on either windows or mac

what is the best way to back up photos and videos to a dvd from iPhoto, not in iPhoto format but just in jpeg format to access on either windows or mac

When you export the videos out of iPhoto be sure to select Kind = Original. Otherwise you'll just get an image file of the first frame of the video.
OT

Moving photos back into iphoto from DVD back-up

I have lost several hundred photos (through my own error). I have them backed up on DVD in the iphoto format. Iphoto recognizes the disk when I put it in.
I'm wondering the best way to transfer these photos back onto my computer and into my iphoto library. Drag and drop?
The thumbnails of the lost photos remain in my iphoto on my computer so I was thinking of rebuilding the thumbnail cache (which iphoto sometimes prompts me to do when I open it) before I import. (how would I do this?)
Thanks!

Just drag the disk image onto the Library icon in the left hand pane and your photos will be imported into the library in the Events and albums that they were in when you backed them up.
But first I would delete those "damaged" photos from the library and then import from the disk. Use iPhoto's delete method so that you delete not only the thumbnail files but any related modified files. That will get rid of a lot of flotsam in the library.
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 or later), 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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Backing up iPhoto to DVD+RW

For some reason I can't back up to DVD+RW, which doesn't make sense because I burn DVD+RW disks all the time on my mac.
I remember it haven't trouble with RW disks in general. Is there a way to tell my mac it is ok to backup to DVD+RW disks in iPhoto?

Hey, I just had a thought
Well done!
By ‘Back up iPhoto’ do you mean:
Back up the Application? - Your install disk is a back up.
or
Back Up the Library? - this includes all the albums, keywords, print materials, slideshows?
In this case you need to copy the Library to another Disk - DVD or External HD. You need to copy the iPhoto Library Folder - all of it as a single unit, not the constituent parts. Or you can use the Share -> Burn command. The Share -> Burn command makes a disk that iPhoto can read in the iPhoto Window - and this makes restoring easier. It’s not the same as just dragging the Library to a DVD and burning it.
These methods also put in all the small previews that aren't really needed.
They are if you’re backing up the Library.
Or
Back up the photos that the library contains?
Select the pics in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pics to a folder on the desktop. This results in... a folder of pics, no albums, no metadata, no ability to revert to original etc.
Regards
TD

Backing up iPhoto Library to multiple DVDs

I'm pretty sure that iPhoto does not have built-in backup capability like iTunes, but is there an easy way to do this with another application? I do own a copy of Toast 8 Titanium which I believe will allow me to span a large file across multiple DVDs but I haven't tried it yet. Incremental backup capability would be nice too, but just having a safe copy of my entire photo library would be good enough. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Other apps that will do incremental backups of the entire library is LaCie's free SilverKeeper and Synk Standard. Another backup that should be performed frequently is in the tip at the end of my signature.
Do you Twango?
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. 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.

Backing up iPhoto Library to DVDs

Hello,
I'm planning to back up all my files and reinstall Leopard. However, I'm a little worried about backing up my iPhoto library (~22 GB). I don't have an external hard drive so burning to disc is the only way.
I want to retain _all my events and both original and modified photos_. Which method is right for me: using iPhoto's built-in Burn feature or manually copying sections of the iPhoto Library to DVD?
Thanks!

Chris:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Be sure you don't select much more than 4GB of photos as reported by iPhoto in the Information pane at the bottom of the left window in iPhoto to burn because iPhoto adds a lot of overhead, i.e. the modified and thumbnail files, and various database files that can bloat each burn. You don't want to get into the burn and get the not enough space message. You can see this
Since all of the disks that get created have the same disk name, keep a written record of the contents of each disk and number the disks with a pen so it will be easier to locate what you need.
Do you Twango?
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.

I have DVD's that I made from iMovie. I would like to know a way I can bring them back into a file that I can somehow transfer to my iPad, so I can show movies on it, the iPad.

I have DVD's that I made from iMovie. I would like to know a way I can bring them back into a file that I can somehow transfer to my iPad, so I can show movies on it, the iPad.

Pad2, the new iPad Supported Video Formats & Movie Formats
H.264 video up to 1080p, 30 frames per second, High Profile level 4.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;
MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats;
Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
Here's one way to install. You can use a USB flash drive & the camera connection kit.
Plug the USB flash drive into your computer & create a new folder titled DCIM. Then put your movie/photo files into the folder. The files must have a filename with exactly 8 characters long (no spaces) plus the file extension (i.e., my-movie.mov; DSCN0164.jpg).
Now plug the flash drive into the iPad using the camera connection kit. Open the Photos app, the movie/photo files should appear & you can import. (You can not export using the camera connection kit.)
 Cheers, Tom

Back Up iPhoto Files on CD or DVD- Correct Procedure

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