Backing up iPhoto Library (or its contents) to DVD

I currently use Time Machine to backup my iPhoto Library to an external hard drive. However, I would also like to back up the library itself, or at least its contents, to DVD. Does iPhoto have a built-in backup to disc utility like iTunes does? If not, can you suggest a good method/app for backing up the library to disc? My iPhoto Library is around 8 GB, so it won't fit on a single DVD. I do have Toast, although it's an old version (Version 8, I believe). Could I use that?

Does iPhoto have a built-in backup to disc utility like iTunes does?
No.
My iPhoto Library is around 8 GB, so it won't fit on a single DVD.
If you have a drive capable of writing to dual layer double sided DVDs, the library will fit. Other options include control-clicking the iPhoto Library item in the Finder and compressing or archiving it, or showing its contents in the Finder, splitting that over multiple DVDs, and fully reassembling it before attempting to access it from iPhoto.
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Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
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I can't open my backed-up Iphoto Library on my new Mac with upgraded iLife. How can I retrieve all my pics??

Having backed-up my old iMac using time machine, thinking to open up my iPhoto Library to retrieve all pics from Time Machine, but iPhoto doesn't let me open it. First a pop-up appears: "The photo library needs to be upgraded to work with this version of iPhoto. Your photo library will not be readable by previous versions of iPhoto after the upgrade. The upgrade process for very large libraries may take an hour or more to complete." When I click Upgrade another pop-up appears "You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto." But I am using the latest version iLife 11. Is there a way to open up the library in a different way, so I can get my pics back???

It sounds like the restored database is damaged.
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Error code -36 - when backing up Iphoto library to external

While backing up my iphoto library to my external hard drive - I got this message - "Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in iphoto library.2 could not be read or written. (Error code -36) What to do?

Right click on the iPhoto Library and "Show Package Contents" a folder opens a inside folder called "Originals"
Open that and copy in sections until you find the corrupted file(s), then remove them from iPhoto or replace with good copies.

Backing up iPhoto Library from external hard drive through ChronoSync to Time Capsule

I have a 2008, 2GB Mac Mini. I moved my iTunes library, which is mostly movies, to a 4 TB My Book Studio, as it exceeded the space on my Mac. I back up my computer to a 2 TB Time Capsule. I exclude the My Book Studio from being backed up on the Time Capsule as it takes up all the space due to the iTunes library. I am wanting to move my iPhoto library as it is starting to take up to much memory on my Mac also.
My question is, if I move my iPhoto library to the My Book Studio, then get an application such as ChronoSync (or an App that will do incremental back ups & not do a completely new back up each time) to automatically back up my iPhoto library to my Time Capsule, can I set it to specifically bak up the library off the external hard drive, or will it only back up info that is stored on my Mac?
Thanks!

Thanks Terence!!! I received a reply back from Chronosync. I will be purchasing their app......it sounds pretty slick
Here is their reply to the same question I asked here:
ChronoSync Express will back up the contents of whatever volume or folder you target as your source target to the volume or folder you choose as the destination target. As long as you can access the volume or folder via Finder of your Mac, ChronoSync Express can access it as well. You can create a sync document that targets your iPhoto library and nothing else on the My Book Studio and backs it up to the Time Capsule then schedule it to run automatically.

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.

Time Machine not backing up "iPhoto Library" file

I have run some utilities to make sure that my Time Machine backups are working and noticed that my "~/Pictures/iPhoto Library" file is not there in the backups. In the console I see this (paths cleaned up):
Feb 3 07:27:20 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Starting standard backup
Feb 3 07:27:20 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Backing up to: /Volumes/MacPro Backup/Backups.backupdb
Feb 3 07:27:23 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Node requires deep traversal:/{home folder}/Pictures/iPhoto Library reason:kFSEDBEventFlagMustScanSubDirs|kFSEDBEventFlagReasonMissedReservation|
Feb 3 07:27:49 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: No pre-backup thinning needed: 70.30 GB requested (including padding), 522.31 GB available
Feb 3 07:27:58 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Copied 384 files (15.9 MB) from volume MacPro.
Feb 3 07:28:50 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Copied 2261 files (109.1 MB) from volume Storage.
Feb 3 07:28:51 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: No pre-backup thinning needed: 1.47 GB requested (including padding), 522.21 GB available
Feb 3 07:28:54 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Copied 9 files (1.7 MB) from volume MacPro.
Feb 3 07:28:57 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Copied 11 files (1.7 MB) from volume Storage.
Feb 3 07:28:58 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Starting post-backup thinning
Feb 3 07:28:58 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: No post-back up thinning needed: no expired backups exist
Feb 3 07:28:58 macpro /System/Library/CoreServices/backupd[77655]: Backup completed successfully.
You can see that it does decide that it needs to be backed up (hence 70 GB of data) then it only backs up everything else. It will now do this every time.
Notes: This machine is running Mac OS X server and I do not have my home directory on my system drive. It could be a permissions problem, but I have tried fixing that (see below)
Since this problem started I have tried:
- Erasing my Time Machine disk and letting it do a full backup
- Holding down option-command while opening iPhoto and having it do all possible rebuilding steps
- Using Terminal to make sure permissions of the main file and package contents are set to same setup as my other computers that are working

I moved it to my system drive, was able to open it up fine with iPhoto ('09 BTW) and then ran Time Machine. Same thing happened, though this time it didn't say "needs deep traversal" like it did before.
As far as exclusions go, I double checked my "Do not back up" list and nothing in there that has to do with Pictures or iPhoto. Also, found and ran this command:
sudo mdfind "comapple_backupexcludeItem = 'com.apple.backupd'"
which output:
/{home}/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml
/{home}/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library.xml
/{home}/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates
/{home}/Music/iTunes/Previous iTunes Libraries/Previous iTunes Libraries/Previous iTunes Libraries/iTunes Library 2008-10-04.xml
/{home}/Music/iTunes/Album Artwork/Cache
So that probably isn't it. It is weird that out of the 1.5 TB of data Time Machine backs up, it is only this file (folder)

Would like to know how to back up iphoto library to external harddrive

I know this question has been asked and very well answered, but I could not find it in the pop up discussions. I have copied my library to an external hard drive by dragging and dropping the events into folders. This works, however is time consuming and all the photos, I think are out of order. I would like to use the "export library" link in iphoto, but when i do it say something about can't create volumes?? Sorry if this is not as clear as it could be, but I don't think I am the first with this problem. Links to previous solutions would be great! I do use time machine as a back up to an external hard drive, but would like to back up the library to a USB also, which I can then put somewhere else.
I have a Mac Mini 10.6.8. and a sweet new bluetooth keyboard!

Copy the iPhoto library intact to the EHD -- or use a incremental program so you can update it without recopying everything - I use Carbon Copy cloner - Superduper is another good one - there are others
LN

Can't back up iPhoto library to external hard drive

Just purchased a new ext. hard drive; when I try to back up my iPhoto library (v. 5.0.4) to it I get a message "can't copy one or more of your items". When I click to continue, it simply stops. I had no trouble backing up iTunes and other files. What am I doing wrong?

Hi Lori;
Thanks to you for your support as well. I have tried dragging the iPhoto Library both directly from the Pictures File in Finder, and from a copy of the iPhoto Library folder on my desktop. I get the same non-result in both cases: "One or more items can't be copied. Do you want to skip them and copy the remaining items?" It doesn't specify what items can't be copied, and when I click yes (to continue) nothing gets copied.
As I said earlier, I successfully backed up my entire iTunes folder with room to spare, so I know the external hard drive is operating properly. Any ideas? Thanks again.

Backing up iPhoto library located on external hard drive

I recently moved my iPhoto 09 library to a 500gb WD portable hard drive in order to free up space on my MacBook Pro hard drive. What I would like to know is can I back up this external library to another external hard drive so that I have two copies of all my photos. Would it work if I had an external hard drive connected to my airport extreme?
Thanks

Most Simple Back Up
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex:
Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate

Backing up iPhoto Library on external hard drive through Time Machine

Hi - I was advised by the folks at the Genius Bar to move my iPhoto Library to an external hard drive (drive 1), and then buy a separate 1TB external hard drive (drive 2) for all of my Time Machine backups. They said I could back up the Library in drive 1 via Time Machine, to drive 2. That way, I'd have 2 spots where my photos were stored.
I can't figure out how to make sure the Time Machine is also backing up the Library in drive 1. Where do I set that up? At the Genius Bar, they insisted I could do it, but when I poke around Time Machine on my System Preferences, I can't figure out how to tell Time Machine where to find the iPhoto Library. And when I open up Time Machine, I just get the application view, not a set up view.
Please help! Thanks!

By default Time Machine will backup all locally connected disks. so if the iPhoto library is on a locally connected disk it will be backed up.
To double check that the disk with the iPhoto Library is not being excluded open System Preferences->Time Machine and click on the Options… button.
If the disk with the iPhoto library is in the excluded list remove it.

The hard drive on our laptop crashed was able to transfer all for 2 users files etc to another mac. got it fixed 80,000 photos were transferred back but iphoto library for 1 user is empty now. can this iphoto library be recovered?

The hard drive on our laptop crashed and we took it to the apple store and they said we can transfer all files photos and videos over to another mac laptop via a special cable. We did that and everything for the two users transferred over to the other laptop fine including 80,000 photos. We got the laptop fixed and my husband transferred everything back to our laptop. In his profile (he’s the administrator) his iPhoto library has all 7900 of his photos in it as well as all his events and albums that he created prior to it crashing. It’s organized exactly how he had it; however, in my profile, my iPhoto library is empty. I had over 9,000 photos in it and like 65 events and a couple of albums and it’s completely empty yet when he transferred everything back to our mac, he it showed that 80,000 photos were transferred as well. Do you know where all those photos could possibly be stored?

Yes you can move the book but not by exporting
The book is just entries in the iPhoto database so the only way to transfer it is ot transfer the entire library it is in - you can make a "mini" library containing only one book to make the transfer easier - see Old Toad's tutorial #9 - http://oldtoadstutorials.net/No._9.html
You also can save a PDF of the book and transfer that but you can not edit pr process it
LN

Want to "move back" my iPhoto library +photos

Hi,
I am new to this forum and after reading a lot of pages I canot find any answer to my question !!
I changed my HD on my MBP (I have now a 320Go) and wanted to "get back" from an external HD, my iPhoto library and my files with originals photos wich have not been "imported" into iPhoto : menu "prefs/advanced/Import/copy in the iPhoto library is not checked".
I hope my explanations are OK !!
thanks
Jacques

James
Welcome to the Apple user to user assistance forums
my iPhoto library and my files with originals photos wich have not been "imported" into iPhoto : menu "prefs/advanced/Import/copy in the iPhoto library is not checked".
You are running a referenced library - which is not recommended for a number of reasons including it makes things like new hard drives and computers more difficult
One way to accomplish your desired move is to use alias herder - http://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/downloads/aliasherder/ - to convert your library to a managed library - then you can simply quit iPhoto and drag the library where ever you want it and launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key and point to it
Since the key to a referenced library is that the path to the photos does not change it may be possible to move the referenced library to your internal drive leaving the original photos where they are - I've not seen this but it seems that it might work - easy to give a try - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library to the pictures folder on the internal drive and launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key - if it works you have a partial solution - if it does not simply launch iPhoto with the option key and point back to the library that still exists on the EHD and delete the one you just moved to the internal drive
And note that you have imported your photos into iPhoto - you simply have not copied the originals to the iphoto library - the importing process is much more than just copying the photo - it involved updating all of the iPhoto database pointers
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

Backing up iPhoto Library (or its contents) to DVD

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