Can i make an alias of an iPhoto Library folder?

so i've decided that i'm going to try and tinker with Bridge that comes with Photoshop Elements, but of course, I can't access my pictures from iPhoto in Bridge. I just need to play with both iPhoto and Bridge to see which will work out better for me.
I don't want to corrupt any files....so googling (my "research" method) I came across this http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070813153307986
basically telling me to "In the Finder, navigate to the iPhoto Library, control-click and select Show Package Contents from the pop-up folder. Now create an alias for the Modified and/or Original folders within the package (your preference) and drag it/them to another folder on your drive."
(sorry, I don't know how to create links or quotes here in this forum)
Is that ok? I'm pretty sure I want to make an alias of my Original Folder, but I don't want to corrupt anything. All my pictures are now on iPhoto - my External Harddrive that I used to transfer backup my PC stuff & keep extra pics and music to free up PC space has now been converted to use as Time Machine. So I don't really have anything else with the pictures backed up but that Time Machine.
by the way - Pros and Cons with Bridge and iPhoto would be greatly appreciated. I understand iPhoto will basically work with Mac stuff better - but I don't even know how to use iDVD, iMovie, etc. Bridge, I've been told, is good because I can keep my pictures in psd format instead of jpg therefore i'm able to keep layers.
Thanks!

Yes, that would be OK. Just move the Originals copy folder to the Desktop when done. Or you can *Option drag* the Originals folder to the Desktop where the duplicates will be created leaving the Originals folder safe 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. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. 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.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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How can I make a backup of my iPhoto Library on disk grouped by events

Dear fellow iPhoto users,
I have a 2008 Macbook, which has a big 40 gig iphoto library.
Unfortunaly my Macbook is (literaly) starting to fall apart and I'm afraid it's lifespan is reaching its end.
Also I don't have enough money to buy a new Mac.
I stil have an old PC left, but that PC won't be able to read my TimeMachine backup. So what I did is that I made a backup of my iPhoto library folder to an NTFS external drive, using Tuxera NTFS.
But the Library is grouped By Date. So I won't be able to find back any events on my PC.
Is there a way to backup my iPhoto Library grouped by Event to a NTFS external drive???
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Dennis from the Netherlands

You can't use a NAS for an iPhoto Library. End of story.
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, exporting, saving edits and sharing the photos.
See this article
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168
for more. Note also the comment:
“Additionally, storing the iPhoto library on a network rather than locally on your computer can also lead to poor performance or data loss.”
You need to export the images from iPhoto to folders and then move those to the NAS - you'll need to do this anyway as iPhoto has zero crossplatform ability.
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
Apps like iPhoto2Disk or PhotoShare will help you export to a Folder tree matching your Events.

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You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.
That indicates that that is your library. Put it in your Pictures folder if it already isn't there and make sure it's named "iPhoto Library". It should look like this:
Now launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and select that library to open. If you get that same message close iPhoto and try the following;
Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Select the options identified in the screenshot.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/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: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

After editing a RAW image in PE13 I can't get it back into my iPhoto library. If edited in iPhoto first and sent to PE13 for adjustments, it can be sent back to iPhoto library. Ideas?

After editing a RAW image in PE13 I can't get it back into my iPhoto library. If edited first in iPhoto, and sent to PE13 for adjustments,
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Thanks for answering my question. I always have had RAW checked to an external editor which is PE13 on my Preferences panel in iPhoto.
I probably didn't make myself clear. When I send an ORIGINAL RAW untouched, unedited image to PE13 and do the editing and the
adjustments- (it looks great) and then try and SAVE it and forward it to my iPhoto library, it will not be sent. On the other hand if any editing
at all is first performed in iPhoto and then sent to PE13 for adjustments, and I SAVE it, it asks if I want to Replace this new edited image with
what already exists in my iPhoto library, I click REPLACE, the little wheel spins, I go to iPhoto and the new image is there. PE13 does
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How can I access my iPhoto library folder?

My hard drive recently had to be replaced, and when they replaced it, they updated to OSx 10.9. I had not backed up my photos before my hard drive crashed, but they backed up all my files for me. I went to open my iphoto library from the backup files and as a new (to me) version of iphoto 11 opened, I got a message saying that it had to update the photos in my library in order for them to be compatible with this version of iPhoto and that after updating them, I'd no longer be able to read them on an older version of iphoto. I clicked ok. It only imported 9 photos (out of several thousand). I went to finder and tried to open the iphoto library folder (which contains the library file and the cache, etc.), but the folder will not open. Instead, when I click to open the library folder, it brings up iphoto, as though to indicate that my library is there. Did I somehow unknowingly overwrite my library or something?? Any ideas why I can't access my iphoto library? Are my photos gone?
I'm stupid so I don't have copies of the photos anywhere else. I don't have Time Machine or anything. Did I irreversibly screw up??

I didn't think to check what photos were there or what the library size was before trying to import at first. How do I restore my backup of the iphoto library? (sorry if that's a stupid question). I checked in the Masters folder and only saw a few of my photos (the same ones that were imported to iphoto).
I definitely know it was a mistake not to have a backup of the photos. It'll be the first thing I do if I can get them back. The mistake I was referring to in my initial post was clicking "ok" when it asked to update---but from what you're saying it sounds like that wouldn't have deleted anything.
I'm thinking maybe the backup is not complete (even though I asked the tech people 5 times if it was!), because I checked the imovie events folder, and it's also empty (and it definitely shouldn't be)! If this turns out to be the case, I may have to go back to the repair place to see if they can still pull files off.

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Frsbdg
Welcome to the Apple user discussion forums
Yes - it has a lot to do with media browser
there are many ways to correctly and safely access your photos - using the finder is NOT one of them - it is (and always has been) recommended that you do not enter the iPhoto library directly. click here for a discussion of the ways to safely and correctly access your photos.
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When the video(s) has/have finished converting, configure them to sync to your iPod.
B-rock

IPhoto Library folder "Missing" in 08 version???

So, I'm using the new "Sharing" feature in Leopard's Finder to share files between my iMac and my MacBook over my wireless network. This seems to be working fine for my documents and even my iTunes music. My only problem is I can't locate the iPhoto Library folder so I can share pictures. Didn't iPhoto 6 have a library folder that you could access your originals and modified pictures? Are we supposed to rely on the sharing feature in iPhoto? If so, that stinks because iPhoto would have to be open on both machines.
Much appreciate any insight anyone can give.

grea55
Are we supposed to rely on the sharing feature in iPhoto?
Yes.
Maybe something here might help:
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *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.
3. *Show File*: 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.
To upload to MySpace or any site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
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. Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
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

New Hard Drive-Recovering iphoto library folder

I recently received a new hard drive after a crash. My photos were recovered and are in a Recovered Files folder on the new drive. How do I get the iPhoto Library folder (or the entire pictures folder) transfered to the iphoto application on the new hard drive?
BTW, I am not really sure that I have the full iphoto application on the new hard drive. I just drug iphoto 4.0.3 from the recovered files applications folder into the new applications folder. It won't stay in the dock but does open from the applications folder. It imported pictures from my camera and seems to be working fine.
Thanks for your help, this may be my first post but I do monitor the discussions regularly. Your advice is always helpful.

sixm,
OK I better understand your situation.
1- So you say that there was no iP with the new OS 10.4. Most coomputer with 10.4 have ip5. But anyway. You did right to copy the ip4 into the app folder.
2-Now if your "shortcut" in the dock does not work anymore, then trash it. Click and drag the icon from the dock onto the desktop. You should see a puff of smoke.
3- Try to relaunch iPhoto directly from the application folder by double clicking on it. If it works, then you can re-create the alias/shortcut in the dock by dragging the icon from the appplication folder, onto the dock. Maybe the previous icon in the dock became corrupted.
The most important library with 2500 pics (approx)
I hope I understood you right that you NOW have 2 libraries in the pictures folder. iphotolibrary AND iphotolibraryold.
BTW DO NOT venture inside the ipLibrary and move any items/photos around. Iphoto will be all confused and will stop working properly
4-So you are saying that ip, right now start the iphotolibrary (with 250 pics). add a number at the end ( iphotolibrary2) this way when you start iphoto, it will not be able to find the library with 250 pic, and you will get a dialog box saying so. One of the 3 button will be "Find" the library. So click "find" and navigate to the "iphotolibraryold" and this wil point iP4 to it (the old library)
5-Hope it opens properly (if the library is intact from the transfert from HD to HD)
If it does work properly, then you can add the other 250 pics to this library within the iP application... meaning on the iP4 Window.
5.1 you can add by copying "recently scanned file that was sitting on my old desktop"
or
2 step process. We are going to extract the 250 pics from the "iphotolibrary2".
5.2 Quit iphoto. Change the name of iphotolibraryold to iphotolibraryold3. This way iPhoto will not be able to find the old library. Launch iP, Click "find" like stated in #4 above, and now you will have iP running the iphotolibrary2 with250 pics.
5.3 create an empty folder on the desktop, and select all your pictures from iP window, and drag all the pics onto the empty folder on desktop.
5.4 quit iP4, and repeat similarly to step #4. Remove the "2" on iphotolibrary2, and when you launch iP4, again it will not be able to find it. Then point to iphotolibraryold wit the 2500 pics.
5.5 When ip is running, drag the Folder from the desktop on to iP window to copy all the 250 pics into this "old library" with 2500pics.
5.6 If all is well, (everything copied like you wanted it) at this point you can trash the folder on the desktop, AND the iphotolibrary2 from the pictures folder. Now before you empty the trash, make sure everything is working perfectly. Quit iP and re-launch to test everything, only the you can empty the trash.
Now you have a better understanding on how IP work. You can manage multiple libraries. I personally have 8 libraries. one for every 2 years of pictures. An I use an application called iPhoto buddy, that can switch from 1 library to another without having to go change the name of the library inside the pictures folder.
Hope this works. let me know how you did.
one more thing..
as you experienced it, with a drive crash, I would suggest that you purchase and external drive, and you can make a "clone" of you internal drive. This way if you should have any problem, you can easily copy from one drive to another. HD are so cheap these days, I purchased a 120GB for $130 -70 rebate= $60 at fry's. I have suffered a drive crash 3 yrs ago, and lost a lot of pictures, videos...... It cost me $800 to retreive info on a 250GB that cost $500 back then.
Backing up onto a CD od DVD will soon become restrictive..... as your libraries become bigger than 4GB ..... with 5 or 8megapixel cameras it is not hard to go above this size with 2500 pics...
my 2 cents
michel

I have an external hard drive connected to my iMac 2006; the OS on this iMac has been upgraded. I wanted to have back up copies of all our photos on iPhoto; I moved the iPhoto Library folder to the EHD. Now I want to delete a lot of the photos on the iM

I want to delete the photos on the iMac's hard drive but I want all the copies on the EHD; to free up space on the iMac. I experimented by deleting one photo in the iPhoto library on iMac but when I checked the EHD, it was deleted there, too. How can I delete photos from iMac w/out deleting from EHD?

Photo Library icon that sits on my desktop
Do a Get Info in the Finder on that, is it an Alias pointing to the external drive?
Open the iPhoto Library folder on your actual internal drive in the Finder, is that deleed pic stil there?

Can i make an alias of an iPhoto Library folder?

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