Cant import old iPhoto library

I've just swapped Mac's, and i have copied over my iPhoto library. When i open iPhoto, i can open the library and view it, but when i close the application and restart it, it says it can't find a library.
Any help would be appreciated...

troynelson
try delete the com.apple.iphoto.plist file from the home / library / preferences folder and reset the library choice once more. See if that helps.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

HT5037 import old iPhoto library in iPhoto '11

I would like to import an old iPhoto library (iPhoto '08 version 7.1.5 (378) ) from my old iMac G5 into my macbook which is running iPhoto '11 version 9.4.3 (720.91.
When I am chosing the import function, I can see a blurred file "iPhoto lirbary" but it is impossible to open it.
Can someone help me and/or indicate me the right procedure.
Thank you !

Yes you are wrong - if you drag any file into a folder where that file already exists you will delete and replace the old file and have only the new file left - this is true for the iPhoto libary package
Your best solution is to either upgrade to Aperture or use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - to merge libraries
You can export the photos form your old library and import those photos into the new library but this does not keep your originals, only your edited versions which become originals in the new library
LN

Problem importing old iphoto library into new computer

SO I ORIGIONALLY WROTE THIS TOPIC:
"Ok so I just bought a new macbook pro with iphoto 08 and i want to transfer my pictures from my old Imac with im guessing iphoto 06 and all the albums to my new computer. How do i do this. I tried it once but i did it wrong because i only got the pictures over there but no albums so i deleted them on the new computer and am ready to try again"
THEN I GOT THIS RESPONSE:
Quit iPhoto, copy the entire iPhoto library as a single entity from the old computer into the pictures folder on the new computer and launch iPhoto on the new computer - it will convert (a one way conversion) the library as needed and you will be set.
SO I DID THAT AND THE PHOTOS ARE THERE ON THE HARD DRIVE BUT WHEN I OPEN IPHOTO THERE IS NOTHING THERE
PLEASE HELP

Nick:
Have you checked the size of the copied library to make sure it's a valid one. To be sure you're opening the correct library launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and, when asked, select the option to choose a library. Navigate to your pictures folder and select the library to copied over from your old iMac.
If your sure that's the library from the old iMac and it doesn't indicate any photos try the following in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select all options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - 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
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open Photo window
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
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. 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.

Can some please provide instructions on how to import an iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Mac without getting a bunch of duplicates? I tried transferring my pictures using an external hard drive and then copying it to the Pictures folder on my Mac

Can someone please provide instructions on how to import an iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Mac without getting a bunch of duplicates? I tried transferring my pictures using an external hard drive and then copying it to the Pictures folder on my new Mac. I ended up getting a bunch of duplicates. My old Mac has an older version of iPhoto while the new Mac has iPhoto '11. Is that the cause of the problem? Please advise. Thanks.

Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Regards
TD

How do I import an iPhoto Library (V.7.1.5) created on my old MacBook (10. 6.8) into my new Macbook pro (10.9.1) running iPhoto 9.5.1? I tried copying onto memory stick and moving to new mac, but new iPhoto doesn't recognise the library.

How do I import an iPhoto Library (V.7.1.5) created on my old MacBook (10. 6.8) into my new Macbook pro (10.9.1) running iPhoto 9.5.1? I tried copying onto memory stick and moving to new mac, but new iPhoto doesn't recognise the library.

So what exactly did you copy over? If it's a 12 gig iPhoto Library then it sounds like the files are there. Perhaps the copy went wrong along the way.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

How to import photos from an old iPhoto library

I have started using a new Mac (MacBook Pro Retina with OS10.10.1).
I saved my earlier iPhoto Library on my previous Mac to an external Drive. Now, if I try to open the old iPhoto Library file from my new Mac then iPhoto offers me to 'Switch Libraries' and to access pictures from the old library.
But this is not what I need. I would like to merge the old into the new (on my current Mac) and use a single iPhoto library for all pictures. In another word I would like to import content from the old library to the new and then use it as a single iPhoto library. When I try the 'iPhoto Library' files are inactive in the Finder....
Please advise steps to do do it.
Thanks

iPhoto can not merge libraries
And you must NEVER Import an iPhoto library - it does not work and creates a massive mess
To merge libraries you must either use Aperture (being phased out this year) or the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -
Or continue to have two libraries and switch between them
LN

How can I import my old iPhoto library into my new version of iPhoto?

Just purchased new iMac and am trying to import my old iPhoto library, but keep getting Unreadable Files message. I have the library file and see that it shows up as an iPhoto Library under the Kind column.

Now that you're tried to open the correct library once see if you can perfor 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.
Since only one option can be run at a time start with Option #3, followed by #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - 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.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - 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. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

How do I import an old iphoto library from an external hard disk while keeping my editing and organization in tact?

I am running iPhoto '08 on a MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Intel C2D (MacBook Pro 3,1). I backed up my hard drive contents onto an external hard drive, then formatted my computer and installed Mountain Lion. I then re-installed iPhoto '08 and ran all the updates. Now, I would like to import my old library from the external disk onto my computer without losing my editing and organization; however, when I select "import to library" from iPhoto, the old iPhoto library is not a selectable option.
I know how to "show package contents" and import directly from the Original and Modified folders, but I don't want to lose my organization. Can I simply drag the content of those folders into my new Original and Modified folders? Will iPhoto read that correctly?
I tried to open the old library from the external disk, thinking to export them all to a folder and import from there, but that just opened my new library and none of the old photos were imported or available.
I'm running out of ideas and would appreciate any help you guys can give. Thanks!!

You don't import it.
Just drag the iphoto Library from the external to the Pictures Folder.
Then open it:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
Never import one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.

Trouble importing old photo library to iPhoto 06

I just updated to iLife/iPhoto 06. When importing old photo library which is 7-8,000 photos, I got 24,000 + images incl. images of computer icons, demo photos, images that look like pieces from web pages (headers, part of photos etc), 4-5 copies of my own photos, some look like they are "pixilated", which the original wasn't. Any idea of what happened and how to fix this, short of manually deleting each image that doesn't belong?
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Terence,
Tks, I kind of suspected that. I'm new to Macs and more used to PCs, and by no means good at either system, so it sometimes gets confusing.
Anyway - Here's the list from the iPhoto Library folder - I did copy & paste, but it didn't paste in the same order it is listed in the iPhoto Library window. I guess it should all be there though.
CIMG0933.JPG
01000008.JPG
CIMG0991.JPG
CIMG0985.JPG
CIMG0984.JPG
CIMG0981.JPG
CIMG1309.JPG
IMG_0703.JPG
IMG_0704.JPG
IMG_0705.JPG
IMG_0706.JPG
iPhoto.ipspot
iPod Photo Cache
Library6.iPhoto
CIMG1307.JPG
CIMG1308.JPG
CIMG1312.JPG
CIMG1313.JPG
CIMG1314.JPG
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D.CTG
Data
Dir.data
IMG_0645.JPG
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IMG_0679.JPG
iPhotoLock.data
Library.data
Library.iPhoto
MauiJan.2006055 Folder.2
Modified
Originals
Richardito politicing
scan-2.jpg
Thumb32Segment.data
Thumb64Segment.data
ThumbJPGSegment.data
CIMG1005.JPG
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AlbumData.xml
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2007
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2006
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1969
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04
08
By the way, here's another question, a bit off the current subject: Sometimes we have trouble playing video clips downloaded from our camera. Sometimes iPhoto will play the audio but no picture, sometimes the other way around, and there don't seem to be any common thread one way or the other. Recently a bunch of clips that used to play audio only "repaired themselves" and are not playing fine. But others are only playing video with no sound. Any idea of whats going on?
Thanks
Marianne

Can I import photos from an old iPhoto library?

Can I import photos from an old iPhoto library on an external hard drive to my current iPhoto library? The icon on the hard drive appears greyed out when I try via Import.

Open the older library and export the Photos from it to the Finder (File -> Export) and switch to the new Library and import those.
Or, use iPhoto Library Manager to move the photos, plus all the versions and associated metadata to the new Library.
Regards
TD

Importing photos from old iphoto library

i created a new library in iphoto (iphoto library 02) and would like to import specific photos (events) from my old iphoto library (iphoto library 01) into the new. I can import all, but that is not what I want. I want to be able to pick and choose photos. Could there be another place my photos are stored or are they all in iphoto library which is grayed out. All help is appreciated.
thank you

Hi, and welcome to the forums!
I'm no expert with iPhoto, but I think you just drag the ones you want on the right, to where you want them on the left.
It works with Albums anyway, or Library to Albums.

How do I import and old iPhoto library?

Hi all,
I recently had to send my macbook back to apple when it kernal panicked on me and eventually broke. I'm now reinstalling everything and I can't seem to import my old iphoto library in iphoto 06.
I can see the old library on my backup drive but I can't select it to import!
Any advice would be appreciated!

Morganator
Don't import it under any circumstances. If you do then each of the versions of your pics get treated as individual images and you end up with a mess.
To restore the library: Put it in the Pictures Folder or where ever you want it. Hold down the option (or alt) key when launching iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue select 'Choose Lbrary.' Then navigate to the library location. If iPhoto sees a valid library then it will open it.
Regards
TD

I can't import my old iPhoto library into 9.51 HELP!!!

I purchased iphoto 9.51 from the app store but it can't import my old iPhoto Library ..please help as it looks like I've lost all my photos..there seems to be no postings on this topic

First of all - you need to open your old iPhoto Library in iPhoto 9.5.1, not to import it.
Which version of iPhoto created your old library? If it was iPhoto '08, version 7.x.y or earlier, then you need first to run the iPhoto Library Upgrader to prepare the library, see this link: iPhoto '11: About the Library Upgrader
If it was a more recent version, simply launch iPhoto with the option-key held down and select your old iPhoto library, when prompted, which library to open.
If you have been trying to open iPhoto this way, what happens? Do you get an error message? Which error message exactly?

How do I import my old iPhoto library to my new macbook Pro?

I have a new laptop pro and I don't want all my files similar to my old laptops so I didn't use the migration assistant. All I want is iPhoto to be the same on my new laptop as it is on my old laptop.
Is there a way to do this? Can I just grab the iPhoto library folder located in user/pictures/iPhoto Library and drag over to the new mac to copywrite it? or will that still not preserve the faces, places, and event's database?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Caleb

I have a related situation. I recently purchased a new Macbook and like the originator of this post, did not use Migration Assistant to set it up. Also like the originator, I want my iPhoto library to move to my Macbook intact. My old computer is an iMac G4 running OS X 10.4.11. That computer has iPhoto 2.0.1. I dragged my iPhoto Library on to an iPod in disk mode and dragged it from that device onto my new Macbook which is running Snow Leopard and iPhoto '09. I started iPhoto on the Macbook and pointed it to the old iPhoto Library. It started up fine, updated the Library and went through its Faces recognition routine. Super, except that my old machine tells me that my Library holds 4818 images and iPhoto on my new machine counts just 3415 images.
Can someone help me understand the discrepancy and how to rectify? Thank you.

How do I import an iPhoto library to an existing iPhoto library?

I have about 6-7GB of photos stored in iPhoto on an old MacBook. I want to import them to an existing iPhoto library on my wife's new iMac. What's the best way to do this without losing any data? I have an external USB HD, but I'm not sure the best way to move the files (ex: drop the iPhoto library icon into the new drive, etc).
Any recommendations?

The only way is to NOT import - Never import an iPhoto library into another iPhoto library
you move the library to the new machine - Connect the two Macs together (network, firewire target mode, etc) and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - launch iPhoto on the new mac and it will open the library and convert it as needed and you will be ready move forward.
LN

Cant import old iPhoto library

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