Backing up iPhoto Library to multiple flash drives

-I am already backing up using Time Machine but would like to back up an approx 80 GB iPhoto photo library to 3 or 4 -32 GB flash drives for off site storage. Is there a way to do this that keeps all data, albums, and formats? I know I can create a disk image but I don't know how to split it for copying to three drives.

You can do what you want if you use the Share ➙ Burn menu and burn them to DVDs, but not flash drives.
If you go to flash drives you can keep the metadata (keyword, titles, keywords, etc.) and
Events.
Export selected Events out of iPhoto to a folder on the Desktop via the File ➙ Export ➙ File Export menu option. Select the options shown in this screenshot. Selecting Kind=JPEG will assure you can get the metadata, keywords, etc. embedded in the exported file. Select either High or Maximum as the JPEG Quality.
Warning: if you've edited any of the photos in the library do a Photos ➙ Revert to Original before exporting so you'll get the original image size and all of the metadata. Because if you've cropped or edited the photos in some way you may not get the equivalent of the original file.
This will create a subfolder for each event and put the photos for those events in those folders like in this test of 7 events.
From there you can drag them onto the Flash drives. It would be best to format the flash drives to OS X Extended (journaled) unless you want to be able to move the photos to a PC.
Then start dragging the subfolders onto a flash drive until you get close to the max capacity of the drive. Put in another drive and repeat with new event folders.
OT

Similar Messages

The pictures of various trips on my iPhoto library to separate flash drives such that I could put on a slide show for each trip. How can I do that?

I want to copy the pictures of various trips on my iPhoto library onto separate flash drives such as I could do slide show on each trip. How could I do that?

Now if there any way for me to put a caption on each slide?
Your welcome.
You want the caption written directly into the photo?
Since you are exporting from iPhoto, you could download the BorderFX plug-in, if your mac is compatible with this plug-in. It will allow you to write the titles or dates you are seeing in iPhoto directly onto the border.
You can download BorderFX here: BorderFX - iBorderFX iPhoto
If BorderFX is not compatible, use any photo ditor, that suports graphics, like Photoshop, Previews, to write into the photo.

How to Back-Up an iPhoto Library to a Flash Drive in Mountain Lion

I have been backing up my entire iPhoto library (about 34GB) to a flash drive every month for the last couple of years.
I tried to do it last night, after upgrading to Mountain Lion, and could not complete the backup. I tried several times, and the same thing happened each time - the first 190MB or so were transferred very quickly, then the pace slowed until finally, after 225.1 MB were transferred, I got an error message: "The operation can’t be completed because an item with the name “iPhoto Library” already exists."
I tried trashing the partial file on the flash drive, renaming the partial file, using Disk Repair - same exact thing happens. Always stopping after 225.1 MB.
I have 5 years of photos on my iMac, and am freaked out about losing them. Anyone have any ideas?

That'll be the problem then.
iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos.
Regards
TD

How to copy iphoto library to a flash drive in mountain lion

I have been backing up my entire iPhoto library (about 34GB) to a flash drive every month for the last couple of years.
I tried to do it last night, after upgrading to Mountain Lion, and could not complete the backup. I tried several times, and the same thing happened each time - the first 190MB or so were transferred very quickly, then the pace slowed until finally, after 225.1 MB were transferred, I got an error message: "The operation can’t be completed because an item with the name “iPhoto Library” already exists."
I tried trashing the partial file on the flash drive, renaming the partial file, using Disk Repair - same exact thing happens. Always stopping after 225.1 MB.
I have 5 years of photos on my iMac, and am freaked out about losing them. Anyone have any ideas?

That'll be the problem then.
iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos.
Regards
TD

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 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.

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.

Time Machine wont back up iPhoto Library on External Hard Drive

I have tried and tried, but I cannot get Time Machine to successfully back up my iPhoto Library on an external hard drive. I found out the hard way that TM was not backing up iPhoto. Sometime TM would work and other times it would not. I realize now that the times it worked was the times I had iPhoto open. The times it did not was when iPhoto was closed.
I have checked the troubleshooting steps, repaired disks ,etc - but still nothing. Anyone have any suggestions?

I bought a new MacBook Pro in late august this year, and since then I`ve had some serious problems backing up my iPhoto library. I have searched severals forums in both english and norwegian, with no luck. But today, I found this... http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4116
Thank you so much, Pondini. You made my day
Kind regards, Erlend.

How do I export iPhoto library to a flash drive and can photos be viewedon a PC?

How do I export iPhoto library to flash Drive and can it be viewed On a PC?

This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.

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 from an external drive using time machine

I have a rMBP that is rapidly running out of storage. I purchased an external USB drive to store my iphoto library on. I have a time capsule that backs up my rMBP. If i include the external drive in the time machine set up, what happens when it backs up and the USB drive is not connected?
Any one have a similar setup that can give some advise i would appreciate it.

If i include the external drive in the time machine set up, what happens when it backs up and the USB drive is not connected?
Well, since the drive is not connected, any changes since the last backup will not be backed up.
When you reconnect the USB hard drive, Time Machine will backup your Mac and the USB drive.

Is there a way to back up my library to a flash drive?

I have so much invested in my library that I want to create a backup. However, due to the size, I want to back up to a flash drive. I know you can back up to CD/DVD, but I think a flash drive would be easier. Is it possible?
When in iTunes, I went to <File>, <Export Library>. I selected the folder My Music and created a file titled Library. I now have a Library.XML file in My Music. I copied this file and the iTunes file (in My Music) to a flash drive. Is this a true back up of my library? If I ever have to restore my ipod, will this back up work?

If you want to create a simple backup up your iTunes library, the easiest way is to go and grab the iTunes folder (in the file Explorer) and drag and drop it onto another drive.
A thumb drive shows up as a drive and if it is big enough, then that is all you have to do. If your library is that small, you could also burn the entire iTunes fodler to a DVD blank using the DVD as a data disk.
Patrick

Moving back my iPhoto library from an external drive to my computers drive

Hi!
I moved my iPhoto library file to my external NAS but when I then opened the file I couldn't see previews of the photos, they were just empty with "frames" around them.
I had to click each picture to see what they looked like, I guess there isn't enough bandwidth to preview all pics? It's gigabit (1000MBit) LAN but it does not seem to suffice.
Anyway, I tried to move my iPhoto library back to my computer but I keep getting this error message (this is freely translated from swedish so it might not by word-by-word but I guess you get the message anyway)
"Could not complete the transfer since there already is an object with the name "iPhoto Library""
I tried to rename the iPhoto Library file on my NAS but regardless what I rename it to (test, library, 123 etc.) I keeps saying ".......object with the name "insert name here""
I tried to create a new library on my computers HDD and drag an drop the iPhoto library file in iPhoto but I don't get all the metadata then and I don't get all my pictures.
Please help!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos.
My guess is that the format of the NAS has damaged the Library and that's giving rise to these messages.
Try restart the NAS and the Mac, see if that makes a difference.
To move Photos/ Albums /Events between plus associated metadata between Libraries use iPhoto Library Manager.
Regards
TD

Best way to transfer iPhoto library to a flash drive?

What is the best way to transfer my entire iPhoto library at once to a thumb drive? My Mac won't charge, I'm running on 11% battery, and I'm terrified of losing all of my photos! Please help!

Drag the entire library to a drive, partition, or disk image formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
(96368)

I just backed up my photos by copying my iPhoto Library onto an external drive. Now the Library on my MacBook won't open. I can only open the photos if the external is plugged in. How can I resolve this issue?

I just backed up my photos by copying my iPhoto Library onto an external drive. Now the Library on my MacBook won't open. I can only open the photos if the external is plugged in. How can I resolve this issue?

Exactly what did you do?
The correct steps are
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
My guess is that that you have not switched iphoto to use the external drive yet - opttion launch and select libary
LN

Backing up iPhoto Library to multiple flash drives

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for