Bloated iphoto library file causing slow performance

Question

My iPhoto 6 library contains about 20,000 photos and the library6.iphoto file is 488MB. I find EVERYTHING about iPhoto seems extremely slow -- launching, editing and quitting. From what I've read, the library size is the key factor in iPhoto speed. (I've followed the other tips in this forum, such as viewing by rolls and turning off all but the current roll, turning off outline and shadow, viewing standard size thumbnails, etc. but it's still very slow.)
Does that library6.iphoto file size seem right for just 20,000 photos, or is there a problem there?
I only have about 55 albums and four slideshows. I rebuilt the database twice and it had no effect. I even rebuilt all the thumbnails, which also had no noticeable effect.
I should mention that most of my photos were taken with a Pentax Optio S4, which I understand used to have a problem with excess EXIF data in iPhoto. But I've also read that iPhoto 6 cleared up that problem, so I assume that's not causing my current grief.
Can anybody help???

Answer 1

Tim:
I can't say for sure about the database file as I don't have a library anywhere that size. It's the most important file of the library as it contains ALL of the photo, album, slideshow, keyword, editing, book, etc. information.
How much RAM and free space do you have? Do you have at least 10GB free space? To check out the EXIF issue (it shouldn't be one with iPhoto 6.0.4) you can create a test library and import about 500 files into it and check the database file's size. I have a library of 686 photos with a database file size of 1.4 MB. I don't have a lot of albums, slideshows, etc. about 4 total.
If all else fails you could try rebuilding the library with iPhoto Library Manager. It creates a new library and creates new database files and copies the files and thumbnails it needs to complete the library. You're original library will be untouched. iPLM often succeeds where the iPhoto method does not. Might be worth a try. Here's how:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos. One user reported that with a library of about 5,000 images it took about 2-3 hours so plan ahead.In your case you might want to plan a weekend trip while it's working away.
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 written 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.