Can't import/merge libraries

I have been having this problem for a long time and I am just about to give up on trying to solve it!
Ultimately - I can't merge two libraries. The process gets underway but only ever seems to get to about 80 or 90% (according to the status bar) and then goes no further.
Some more detail - My ideal workflow is to have multiple identical aperture libraries in different locations. One library (approx 16,000 managed images, 50GB) on a portable hard disk, then several others (identical) on different machines (Mac Pro at work, iMac and Mac Mini at home etc). I would then download new photos in to any of my libraries, and then import (File > Import > Library/Project > Merge) that whole library in to the others so that I maintain identical libraries. Sounds simple, and according to what Aperture should be able to do (as I understand it) it should be simple. But when I set the import process going, it just doesn't work.
For example - I recently added 60 new photos in 3 separate projects to my library on my portable disk. No problems. I then try to import that library in to any of my other libraries - The process begins and I can see the 3 new events are created (imported) in to the library, but the process never finishes. I have left it running overnight or longer (close to 24 hours) and the progress bar says 'Merging Library…' but doesn't get past about 80 or 90%. Aperture does not hang - so I am able to quit (not force quit). When I relaunch it, the 3 new projects are there but are empty - there is no sign of the 60 new photos anywhere. Funnily though, when I delete the 3 empty projects, it says there are now 60 items in the trash - but no sign of anything in there.
I'm assuming there is a 'glitch' somewhere in the database that is causing this… I have done a repair/rebuild on each my libraries multiple times but without success.
Notes
all of my libraries are created as new (ie File > Switch to library > other/new > create new) or created by exporting all projects/folders/albums etc in entire existing library to a new library.
I have tried importing/merging on several different machines (Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Macbook Pro) but have had the same (failed) results regardless.
If I export new items as a separate library (eg the 60 photos in three projects from my previous example), I can then import them successfully in to the other libraries - but this is not ideal as I often make changes to the rest of my library (eg adjustments, keywords etc) which I would like to keep in sync over my multiple libraries.
Perhaps I just need to start over with a brand new library, but if that is the case, how do I get all of my projects/albums/masters/versions along with faces/places/metadata/adjustments/keywords etc etc in to a new library without copying across the 'glitch' in the database of my existing library as well?
Apologies for the long and rambling nature of this post, but I've tried to get all necessary info in here!
I am running the latest versions of Aperture and Snow Leopard

Richard Lef wrote:
It all seems to be getting quite complex for what hoped would be a reasonably easy workflow!
It's an "easy" idea -- have four Libraries on four machines and keep them in sync -- but a very hard practice, both technically and behaviorally.
I agree with Tony Gay -- I would find it _much_ less fuss to keep my Library on a dedicated FW800 drive (7200 rpm, large cache) and keep it with me, than to remember where I worked last and which machine/location has the most recent Versions and which machine/locations have which other Versions, worked on when and where ... .
Another alternative -- not inexpensive -- is to dedicate a laptop to Aperture. I work regularly in three locations, and keep good big second monitors at two of them.
If you insist on keeping your general set-up, you might try making a large more-or-less "archive" Library and cloning it to each location, and also making a much smaller "working" Library of current work. You could sync this smaller Library the way you currently are, and then periodically merge it back to the "archive" Library at each location. Fwiw, I still don't think this is a work-able long-term set-up.

Similar Messages

Why is aperture not importing merged libraries as projects

Hi Everyone:
I'm trying to move a large library of RAW files to another library on the same machine. I tried exporting the whole library but there were a lot of corrupted files (or at least they had the yellow triangles on them), and when I selected all and asked it to locate referenced files, it said there were none, even though it had over 1000.
So I decided to export/import piecemeal and do it project by project. So what I've been doing is exporting a project as a library, switching libraries, and selecting a project to import to and then clicking import. At first it was working well and importing everything as separate projects, but today I must be doing something wrong or missing a step.
It is now importing the library and dumping it loose in the photos section, and I have to go picking through the photos to find the ones I imported and put them into projects. This is going to get increasingly more difficult and I really need help... I've been at this now for two days and need to get back out taking pictures...
Thanks,
Lisa

Hi everyone:
Just to add, I already followed these steps and it didn't work...
To merge a project or Aperture library into a project
Control-click a project, then choose Import > Library/Project from the shortcut menu.
In the dialog that appears, select the project or library that you want to merge into the project selected in Projects view, then click Import.
The project or library is merged into the project selected in Projects view. For more information about merging libraries, see Merging Libraries.

Restored computer, but can't import saved Libraries

I recently restored my computer so all my music was deleted, but before I did such I made a copy of the entire Itunes folder on my external hard drive. This iTunes folder has sub folders in it such as iTunes music, Previous iTunes Libraries and files such as iTunes library (damaged) etc.. I tried to drag and drop the most recent itunes library from the the previous iTunes Libraries folder but nothing happens. Is there a way to get my music back?

I actually got the playlist from 2 months ago to import which is great! However it seems all the files are screwed up, some songs do not play at all and others play completely different songs thats are halfway through, any ideas on why this is happening?

How can I import to my iMac's Aperture from my MacBook Air?

Hello!
I started working with relativily small librarie in my MacBook air, it has a size of 12GB more or less.
My question is: how can I import/merge this library to my iMac library.
Thanks.
Federico

Whatever you can. Dropbox. Ethernet. Firewire. Thumb-drive. I'm pretty sure you can set up an ad-hoc wireless network between the two machines.
Message was edited by: Kirby Krieger -- link added.

How can I import multiple iphoto libraries into Photos beta

I have successfully imported a single iPhoto Library into the Photos Beta app. However I have several other iPhoto libraries that I would like to import into the Photos library. Think of is as merging everything into one now that there's iCloud backup.
I started with iPhoto back in 2005 and have created a separate library every three years ever since. Each one is quite large, ~40 gigs.
What is the best means to import additional libraries into my new Photos library. Unfortunately the File import option on Photos does not allow for a selection of iPhoto Library file type.
Thanks,
Brian

Merge all iPhoto Libraries into one before migrating them to the new Photos.app.
You cannot add additional libraries to a Photos library, only additional photos. Or have several Photos libraries, but only one of them can sync with iCloud.
To merge your iPhoto Libraries into one, use either Aperture, if you have it (see: Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries), or the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager: Download it here: iPhoto Library Manager

I cannot find a photo I did a lot of work to create. I have several library files that look similar but I found that at least one photo is not in both. Can I somehow merge these libraries. Can someone tell me how.

I cannot find a photo I did a lot of work to create. I have several libraries that look similar but I found at least one photo that was in one and not the others. Can someone tell me if I can merge these libraries, and how, and what to watch for that might cause problems.

the paid version of iPhoto library manager can merge libraries safely
Why do you have several libraries? Why are you not just using the one that has what you want?
LN

I installed the latest version of iTunes (10.6.3.25) on a new Windows 7 PC. I can see ahred libraries on Shared but can't import as the line containing the Settings and Import buttons does not display. Any suggestions?

To move the iTunes library to this new computer I switched on Home Sharing and can see the other libraries on my home network. If I select tracks from a Shared library I can't import them as the strip containing "Show: All Items" and the "Settings" and "Import" buttons, does not display at the bottom of the screen. Goes straight from the list of tracks to the strip with Playlist icons and xxxx items, tttttt total time, yyyy GB.
Any suggestions for making the Import button appear?

I hvae the EXACT same issue
I built a new computer which is EXTREMELY fast overclocked i7 ect and.. ITUNES DOESNT WORK
I click on itunes which ive uninstalled and reinstalled and reset the winsock AND seen if there were any errors AAAAAAND ive check the Hkey to make sure bonjur was the only one in there which it is and all that happens is my cpu goes to 25% and i cant do anything except go into the task manager and close it! ANYTHING with itunes (everything else is premium speed).
what do i do
windows 7 64 bit

In Pages 09 we can do Mail Merge and Import Styles from a document. Can someone please explain how we can do this with the new version of Pages 5.1. Even Apple solutions are only valid for Pages Version 09. What a DOWN GRADE!

In Pages 09 we can do Mail Merge and Import Styles from a document. Can someone please explain how we can do this with the new version of Pages 5.1. Even Apple solutions are only valid for Pages Version 09. What a DOWN GRADE! Thank god Pages 09 is still there.

…and the other 98 missing features.
Just use Pages '09, which should be in your Applications/iWork folder.
Rate/review Pages 5 in the App Store.
Peter

Import, import, import... but how can i import my own libraries?

This is the case: i have a personal library, made by me. I jarred it and then i put it on a subdirectory named lib.
How can i import it on a new class file? Because import only loads libraries on the jdk directory and only in the format any.any.* Compile is not the problem, i set up classpath and no problem. But if i send my program to another person, it wont run because dont have the library.
And another question: can i put all the libraries in a jar file and the program read libraries IN the jar? So, how do i import it?

How can i import it on a new class file? Because
import only loads libraries on the jdk directory and
only in the format any.any.*Bad assumption. It will import anything in the classpath.
Compile is not the
problem, i set up classpath and no problem. But if i
send my program to another person, it wont run because
dont have the library. Well, gee, they need the jar too, don't they?
>
And another question: can i put all the libraries in a
jar file and the program read libraries IN the jar?
So, how do i import it?Jars cannot contain (ok, they can, but not without a custom classloader) other jars.

How do I import music using homeshare with iTunes 11...I can see the shared libraries but I can't drag and drop and there is no import button. Thanks!

How do I import music using homeshare with iTunes 11...I can see the shared libraries but I can't drag and drop and there is no import button. Thanks!

Yes, that appears how Mavericks works right now. However, you can open the Address Panel, select all your contacts, then click the To (or CC, or Bcc) buttons to move the selection to the address field.
If it is not already in the Toolbar, right-click on the Toolbar and select Customize Toolbar…
Then, drag the address panel up to wherever you want it.
You may also want to add it to the New Message window in the same way.

Can't import a library from external drive

Hi,
I have always exported projects as new libraries to external drives and then import them when I need to work on or update. I am trying to import a library from my external drive and it says merging libraries but the library is not showing up as a project or importing. Nothing is happening. I don't want to work on it as a stand alone library because I have several projects I need to swap images between. Does anyone know why I can no longer import a library?
Thank you.

To check the format of your drive - just to be sure about it - select your drive in the Finder and use "File > Get Info" or press "⌘I". You'll see the formatting in the Info panel that opens, in the "General" tab of the panel.

Is it possible to merge libraries?

hi
id like to know if its possible to merge my iPhoto library from my ibook (tiger) to my iPhoto library in my MacMini (panther).
whats the best way i can have all my pics transferred from ibook to macmini (preferably by album).
thanks for any info.
-a

Hi Artemis,
Do the two libraries share some of the same images?
Are you running the same version of iPhoto?
Do you want to keep keywords, albums, comments intact on the merge?
Depending on how you answer the questions there is a different route you can follow.
If you just want albums from the PB to import into the mini and don't care about keywords,etc.:
Highlight the album in the source column and select all
hit Share/export
Export to a newly created folder on the desktop
Once all albums are exported copy them over to the mini desktop or burn them to a DVD.
Open iPhoto on the mini
drag the album folders into an open iPhoto viewing window.
If you have any images that are the same in both of the libraries, you might get duplicates imported, so you will have to wade through them to delete the dups.
To merge the libraries:
Copy the Entire iPhoto Library folder to the mini
Download and pay for iPhoto Library Manager
Follow directions in the documentation to merge libraries.
iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.
Are you using the same username on both computers?
Lori

DeDup merged Libraries

I'm looking for workflow advice or tips to use iPhoto as the application of choice to manage my photos (20,000+ counting duplicates). I've read though or listened to tutorials on iPhoto and have a fair working knowledge of computers and shared applications.
I switched over to apple a couple of years ago. This switch left windows folders of photos on my work computers, home computers, laptops and phones. There are more than one because as our kids grew up and left home they left many photos on our file servers scattered all over. At work and home, many times our kids would just hand me a thumb drive/cd with photos which I promptly dumped into a folder and imported into iPhoto later on the nearest computer.
Now, I'd like to reclaim wasted space by deleting these scattered folders once I know they have been imported to iPhoto.
I'm using Drop Box as the place for the "default merged library" so I can access the same library or libraries from multiple locations. I will be the only person to use the Drop Box so I'm not concerned about multiple users of the same database.
I've used "Library Manager" to merge libraries from different computers and preserve the meta data, tags, edited versions, etc.
One main issue, is the vast number of duplicates I'm discovering and how to trim these from the main library. I have started using additional libraries to help break apart the huge single mass into smaller more manageable bites but this just helped uncover more duplicates.
Are there any shortcuts to help discover and remove duplicates? Automated tools or scripts? Can I safely remove all the old folders once I see the photo in iPhoto? If I import the same folder twice from two different computers it does not always obey the "do not import duplicates" check box as the clocks may not have been the same when the photos were loaded on the computer originally. Any ideas about how to compensate for these duplicates and save time is appreciated. Recommendations about sensible ways to use multiple libraries would help too.
End goal is to have a single set of iPhoto libraries, without duplicates, stored on Drop Box from which I can export albums/events to family and friends via a web link. I would only like the photo image stored and taking up space without the worry about files, file folders and sub structures.
Thanks,
pblpup

Couple of comments:
I'm using Drop Box as the place for the "default merged library" so I can access the same library or libraries from multiple locations. I will be the only person to use the Drop Box so I'm not concerned about multiple users of the same database.
We ran some experiments here a while back to see if we could sync Libraries back and forth with Drop Box and they were corrupted in the process.
iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). While the DropBox folder on your machine is on a Disk with the correct format, the one on the DropBox server isn't. And to get to the other machine the Library spends time there.
Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.
If you're running a Managed Library then yes, you can delete the files from the Finder after importing.
For dealing with duplicates in iPhoto check out Duplicate Annihilator
Regards
TD

Can I import library from one account to another account?

I have a work account and a personal account and I'd love access to my photos, music, etc, in my personal library. Can I import or sync the libraries? Thanks, Steve

let's try this again...
account = library...
I have 2 libraries, one under username "A" (personal) and one under username "B" (work).
it doesn't matter if they're work or personal, they were just names to refer to different accounts.
I have a library...the library is on a PC. I synced with an iPad. I'm syncing with a new PC ("B" or "work") and would like the import the library from the first PC but created with a different Apple account/ID ("personal" or "work").
I hope this helps explain my question.

"Volume not found" I have 3 iphoto_libraries stored in a external disk, while the actual files are in other external disk. Ive moved together iphotolibraries and files but: HOW CAN I TELL THE LIBRARIES WHERE TO FIND THEM NOW?

I have three iphoto_libraries stored in a external disk PASSPORT (one for each trip imovie Im making -Ive managed this way the libraries so to not confuse the trips) while the actual files are in OTHER external disk LACIE. And everything was fine: imovie find each library, could work with it, or iphoto could edit the files.
But one day everything crashed at the same time: i opened iphoto to find 3 different scenarios:
1) iphoto_library GREECE was there, but not the albums i prepared. no events. when double click in any of them: "Volume not found"
2) iphoto_library ITALY was there, and the albums i prepared too, but empty.
in both cases I can only see the photos in 'photos' because 'events' shows some events with photo preview and some with no preview, just some kind of preset clipart palm tree, but if i enter the event, photos are there but again: when double click in any item: "Volume not found"
3) iphoto_library ISRAEL was there, the albums too, when double click in any of them: all OK
The 3 libraries was managed the same way. Meaning: Ive imported photos to iphoto from external disk LACIE in a iphotolibrary stored in another external disk PASSPORT. Also: I don't have unchecked the option "copy to file" or something like that. photos where moved, not copied. Also i have all the movie_libraries in the PASSPORT as well. What happened??
Solution? Nothing yet. Ive moved now all the photo folders from LACIE together in PASSPORT with the iphotolibraries but problem persist:
HOW CAN I TELL THE LIBRARIES WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE VOLUMES NOW?
"Volumes" are the original files aren't them?
Please help. this is so annoying to try and find in the forum, to tricky to explain
I have a Macbook pro retina Yosemite 10.10.1 / iphoto 9.6 (910-29)/ iMovie 10.0.6
THANK YOU
Vicky

The 3 libraries was managed the same way. Meaning: Ive imported photos to iphoto from external disk LACIE in a iphotolibrary stored in another external disk PASSPORT.
This is not clear, especially when you say
I don't have unchecked the option "copy to file" or something like that. photos where moved, not copied.
Especially as the message you're getting is typical of a library where the ' option "copy to file" or something like that' is unchecked.
So it's a simple question:
Are you these Managed or Referenced Libraries?
A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

Can't import/merge libraries

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for