Can't move pix to library

Question

Hi--
Downloaded some pix to iPhoto. Modified them outside of iPhoto, and saved them back to iPhoto w diff name.
They don't show up in the (Library) pix viewable when you open iPhoto.
When I try to import them to iPhoto, I'm told they're already there...
which they are: in the 2007/Roll 6 folder.
I finally copied them to the Desktop, and then imported them. Now they appear.
What is the 'better' way to do it?
Thx,
spr

Answer 1

spr:
First, you've committed the cardinal sin of iPhoto: iView MediaPro.
The reason you can't import the edited version is that it is inside the iPhoto Library folder and iPhoto will not import any file in there. Move it to the desktop and you'll be able to import them.
If you want to use your 3rd party editor from inside iPhoto and have iPhoto recognize the edited version while keeping the original save, go into iPhoto's General Preferences section and select your editor in the drop down menu titled "Edit photo". Now when you double click on the photo it will open in your editor and you can do your editing and save it as you would if you were using iPhoto. The edited version will be placed in the Modified folder and the thumbnail will be updated to reflect the edit.
There is a caveat to all of this, however. If your editing results in your editor wanting to save it with a different format/extension, you'll have to make that editor save it as a jpg (with the same file name) or save it to the desktop and import as a new file. If your editor is Photoshop or Photoshop Elements you can just select jpg in the save window, overriding the psd extension it may have.
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.