Can't use iphoto pics for desktop wallpaper...

Question

Evening -
I have my pictures saved in Users/shared/pictures so both my wife and i have easy access to them via our respective user accounts.
In iphoto i simply imported this folder and the iphoto library was created with no hassle. I unchecked the option to "copy" the pictures to my library so i wouldn't waste disk space unnecesarily.
The problem is when i choose my iphoto directory in System Preferences - desktop and screensaver, i cannot use any of my pictures for the desktop wallpaper through the iphoto folder (the wallpaper just changes to blue"). In order to use a photo i must point the desktop wallpaper application to look for the picture in the original directory users/shared/pictures....
Any ideas why?
Thank u for any help

Answer 1

I unchecked the option to "copy" the pictures to my library so i wouldn't waste disk space unnecesarily.
When you run a Referenced library in iPhoto the desktop pictures option doesn't work. It's one of the pitfalls with running a referenced Library along with
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
You can share a library between users:
There are two ways to share, depending on what you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc. then:
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Finally: If you’re comfortable in the Terminal, and understand File Permissions, ACL’s etc., some folks have reported success using the process outlined here . (Note this page refers to 10.4, but it should also work on 10.5). If you’re not comfortable with the terminal, and don’t know an ACL from the ACLU, then you’re best doing something else... Oh, and the warning about simultaneous users still applies.
Regards
TD