Consolidating libraries

This is a question regarding backing up an iPhoto library, but it's a little more complicated than that. Bear with me.
I have my Powerbook, with an iPhoto library. My desktop is an iMac, with three accounts that each have their own iPhoto libraries. My wife has another Powerbook, with yet another library. Many duplicate photographs are extant among these computers and Home folders.
With nearly 4000 photos in total I finally bought a big Firewire external HD for backup purposes. For emergency's sake I made it bootable, and basically copied one account from the iMac to get it started. It obviously took its iPhoto library with it. So far, so good.
Now, I want to back up each and every user's iPhoto library into that one account. So I got the big idea of going to File > Add to Library and selected each of the various Pictures folders from across the network. Short story... BAAAD idea, since it took all the thumbnails, edited photos and the like. A total mess. I trashed the resulting Pictures folder on the backup HD and started over.
I then exhaustively went to each user's iPhoto library and selected "Export" to a temporary folder. All the photos were then exported in full quality to the temporary folder. Then, using iPhoto on the backup HD, I used "Add to Library" and selected the whole folder. Delete the temporary folder's contents, and repeat for each user.
I got the dialog box asking if I wanted to import duplicate photos and of course I didn't. Still, a lot of duplicates appeared - identical dates and file sizes, but ever-so-slightly different skin tones and darkness. I can't explain that, but I manually deleted each duplicate (there were over 100).
So, mission finally complete, but there's got to be a better way to accomplish this. Of course I could copy each user's Pictures folder into individual backups on the backup HD, but that would be wasteful as duplicates would still exist.
I want one big iPhoto library on the backup disk containing all my photos from all these libraries, but no duplicates.
Is there a better way?
Message was edited by: John Galt

Yes.
Use iPhoto Library Manager to merge the Libraries.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Moving and consolidating libraries

My hard drive is full and I have placing my images in the Aperture Library. I have my vault on an external hard drive and have been downloading images to my external and refrencing them. I have a new external and would like to move my Aperture Library to the new drive, move the refrenced images from the smaller external into the Library on the newer hard drive. I'll still keep my vault on the other external; consolidating the images will give me more room.
How do I do this?
Thanks!
Kevin

Click here and follow the instructions.
(36871)

IPhoto 11 (ver. 9.1.1) Consolidating Libraries on Time Capsule

Can I consolidate all my iPhoto libraries?
Can I store them my Time Capsule external HD?

It's strongly recommended to have a minimum of 10 GB free space on the boot drive for optimal performance of both the system and applications. If you use iDVD then that minimum is 20 GB.
So, yes, moving your library to the Time Capsule and removing it from the boot drive could speed it up. HOWEVER, if you connect to your Time Capsule wirelessly DO NOT try it. There are too many possibilities of getting a dropout when working wirelessly and that can and will corrupt the library.
If you're hard wired to the TC then it's the same a an external HD and would work very well.
I'm running iPhoto 11 and also get slow performance from iPhoto 11 when first opening and when opening a book.
Try rebuilding the library occasionally with just Option #1 to see if that makes any difference. If not they try a gain with Options #1, #2 and #6. I'm not sure which option does the trick but do notice that it does speed iPhoto 11 a little.
Click to view full size

Combining/Consolidating Libraries

Hello
We recently got a new MacBook Pro with the intention of it replacing two other macs. (PowerBook G4 & iMac) I am hoping to combine the iPhoto libraries (both version 6) onto the new Mac. Unfortunately, both of the older libraries have been changed in the finder. Photos have been re-named, moved around etc. I don't completely understand the way iPhoto organizes things using the 3 folders: data, modified, originals.
I'm wondering if the best way to sort through this and get the pics onto our new computer is by going through and creating a burn folder using finder to select and transfer the photos. If I did this, would iPhoto on the new Mac import them okay?
My questions: If things have been changed in finder, is it possible to successfully move the library or will it continue to be in disarray? What are the differences between the data, modified, and original folders? If I create a burn folder from the finder, where should I pull the photos from: data, modified, or original?
Thanks for your help.

josephfogg
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
If these libraries have been changed in the Finder:
Photos have been re-named, moved around etc.
then they're not libraries that iPhoto can work with any more.
*It is strongly advised that you do not move, change or in anyway alter things in the iPhoto Library Folder as this can cause the application to fail and even lead to data loss* Put simply there is no need for the User to ever enter the iPhoto Library Folder. There are no User Serviceable parts there. I'll explain further down.
The good news is that anything you need to do with iPhoto can be done from the iPhoto Window.
To get a good library up and running on your new machine:
1. Simply you've got to recover your photos from those old Library folders and move them to the new machine and start over.
(Unless you've moved them...) the pics as you took them on your camera are in the /Originals Folder. Move that to the desktop on the new machine and import them to iPhoto there. (File -> Import to Library). iPhoto will copy them into it's Library, so once they're imported you can trash the /Originals Folders on your desktop.
The old iPhoto Library Folder's on the old machine are trash, so you can dump them. There is no way to relink the modified versions with the originals, so best to start over. The thumbnails in the /Data folder are useless anyway.
2. Most people who move things around do so because they're trying to make it easy to find a file. There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
To upload to a 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. In Mail in 10.5 you can access the Library from the New Message Window:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
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
Other options include:
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.
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Finally:
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Though this information is a little moot as with iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is now a Unix Style Package File. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by making changes in it themselves.
Regards
TD

Need help consolidating libraries

Hello all,
Here's the question:
I have two older computers, both of which have limited hard drive space left. My Compaq desktop is being retired after I transfer my extensive music collection to my new Ipod Mini-over 2 GB. My other laptop (IBM thinkpad) holds about 800gig of music files. My questions are:
1. How can I continue to buy music and add files to my Ipod on the laptop without storing them all on the laptop's hard drive.
2. What is the easiest way to transfer the MP3 files from the desktop into the Ipod?
Or another way-how do I transfer all my MP3 files into the Ipod-without having them on either computer-and still be able to use the laptop to buy new music and keep the Ipod updated?
Thanks for the assistance!
Walter
Dallas, TX

See if you can get iPhoto Library Manager to rebuild the problem library 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. Report back on how long it took and how many photos you have in the library so we can give other users an idea of how long it may take.
It will leave the original library untouched in case the result are not what you expected.
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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Consolidating libraries on my two macs

I have one iTunes account, but I purchase music from both my macs, thus I have different songs in my "purchased music" folders. I have two questions:
1) Is there a way to sync my computers so they both reflect all my purchases in the "purchased folder"?
2) Both computers show a different account balance in the upper right hand corner on the iTunes home page next to my username. How is this, when I only have one account? Can I have just one running balance between both my computers? Thank you!

update #2
I realize now how to update one account balance to reflect recent activity from another computer. Go to toolbar, click on STORE>CHECK FOR PURCHASES.
Please still reply to question 2 if you can. Thank you.

What is the best way to consolidate Aperture and iPhoto libraries onto an external drive? I am just starting out and not used to Aperture filing system.

I would like to use the drive as storage/aperture backup rather than use it to back up my whole Macbook. Would like to keep the majority of the photo files on the ext. drive and be able to add files there directly. BUT, when workng in aperture would like to be able to select some from the ext. drive and work them on the laptop directly without having to have the ext drive attached.
So do i, have the aperture library path mapped to the ext drive, and then import the iphoto library? and then how do i add additional from the camera? Or, do i move everything together (imported iphotos and new from camera) in Aperture on the Macbook first, and then transfer that library to the ext drive?
For the life of me I can't figure out how to do this in a way that seems logical. Vaults? Masters on ext drive, versions on the macbook? Consolidating libraries? The endless possible answers are baffling me.
Thanks for any help!

Kirby Krieger wrote:
Hi Shane. Not much in the way of thoughts - - but fwiw:
How is the drive attached?
Can you open large files on the drive with other programs?
Are you running any drive compression or acceleration programs (some drives arrive with these installed)?
Can you reformat the drive and try again?
Hi Kirby,
I attached the UltraMax Plus with a USB cable. The UltraMax powers the cable so power is not an issue. I can open other files. Also, there is 500GB of files on the drive so I cannot re-format it. Although, I noted I could import the entire Aperture Library. However, I do not want to create a duplicate on my machine because that would be defeating the purpose of the external drive.
Thanks,
Shane

I have a new computer and am trying to transfer multiple iTunes accounts

Ok, here is the long story: I have new computer and want to transfer iTunes libraries. There are 3 different iPods connected to the old computer (Windows XP, 3 different users). I utilize an external hard drive to store all the music, although iTunes resides on the c: drive of the old computer.
So, how do I get it all to transfer so that it works? I know it simply isn't as easy as moving the external drive to the new computer. When I first bought the external hard drive I was able to easily follow instructions for consolodating libraries, etc, but can't seem to find how to change computers when an external drive is involved.
Thanks.

Niel-
Thanks for the response. Do you have more specified instructions to which you can direct me? This sounds "too easy." I had a problem once before consolidating libraries (when moving the music from my hard drive to an external hard drive on my old computer). I missed one small step and it was a nightmare!
My libraries are already on my external drive, btw. Thanks.

Transfer iTunes library to new MacBook Pro while maintaining playlists, ratings, etc.

I just got my new MacBook Pro for college, and I need to transfer my entire iTunes library (19,000+ songs) from my dektop Mac to my new computer. I have tried a lot of people's methods concerning transfering libraries, but everytime, I lose my playlists, play counts, and ratings. I have tried a lot of methods, but none seem to work. I have tried consolidating libraries and other methods. Does anyone have any ideas of what I might be doing wrong.
(I have a 1TB hd that houses all of the music for my iTunes library for my desktop. I am attempting to move it all to the MBP. My MBP has two partitions, one of which is for storage and music (not my Macintosh HD) which is where I am attempting to copy my library to from the 1TB drive.)
Thanks in advance!
CB

Here's one way to connect two computers. There's other ways but we have absolutely no idea what hardware you have. - How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements.
As for files and folders to copy and where; Kappy has already made a list above, including showing locations. As for how; using drag and drop in Finder will probably work, but it will depend upon how you eventually connect the computers, or use a hard drive, or a flash drive... Currently there are too many unknowns about your system to provide a detailed list without itemizing for hundreds of different scenarios.
By the way, feel free to start a new topic for a question. This one was really about sorting out chrisbraun5's issue.

HT1349 I bought a new computer and am trying to sync the new comuter with mu iTunes software and the music files. The latest version of iTunes is loaded, the music files appear in iTunes but say they can't br located. I have authorized the new computer,

HP SERIAL NUMBER MXX40208T2

Niel-
Thanks for the response. Do you have more specified instructions to which you can direct me? This sounds "too easy." I had a problem once before consolidating libraries (when moving the music from my hard drive to an external hard drive on my old computer). I missed one small step and it was a nightmare!
My libraries are already on my external drive, btw. Thanks.

Itunes playlists no show; 1st external hard drive second mac

very well gentlemen and ladies my cri de coeur concerns accessing my playlists on my new 2nd (and second-hand) mac. All my music is on a hd that mounts on mac2 and plays when click on hd song - BUT old playlists dont show on new mac itunes screen and songs dont appear on new itunes screen until clicked on hd. have consolidated libraries. have dragd to trash (but not yet cleared) old itunes music folder. should i trash (mac2 previous) xml file? should i copy old xml file from old mac which DOES show all the playlists etc - even though it cant paly them as they are on the hd - which is connected to the new mac! shall i go doh! itunes 6.0.4 on imac 800 (mac1), 200g music on lacie external hard drive, itunes 7.1.1 on powermac (mac2)

I thank u all for your input espec mark but also all the various posts in discussions generally. i am pleased to say i astounded myself by working it out (but no hubris here).the answer was to LEAVE the old 'iTunes Library' folder and the old xml file in the 'iTunes' folder on mac2 and then to copy to (subsequently) replace them with the original similar files from mac1 et voila everything - songs,tiles,dates,playlists etc all show up in new iTunes screen. how pleasant when ones aimiable bumblings work!

Projects disappeared after 10.1 update + crash

After updating to 10.1, I let Final Cut do its thing when it opened - (consolidating libraries I think). During this time, it froze, and after a long time, I decided to quit the program as nothing was happening. After re-opening, hardly any of my projects showed up. I noticed there were several files in my Trash, which I restored, and managed to get most back, but at least one (important one) is still nowhere to be found.
I've tried looking in all of the restored folders and Final Cut folders, including the Final Cut Pro backups, as well as in my time machine (external hard drive), where I thought the old project versions should be (the project was stored on my Mac and backed up through my external drive / time machine).
I noticed that the 10.1.1 update (which I've installed since this problem occurred) says it 'Preserves media files if external drive or network is disconnected while consolidating a library' - I really wish I waited for this version, but I'm just really disappointed in the software that they didn't think of this scenario for 10.1.
Am I SOL? If anyone has any idea for finding my project, I'd be very happy.

Restoring Itunes library on a windows home server

Help everyone! I have had my itunes library stored on my HP WHS for the past year. Over the holidays I reformatted my Imac HD as it was sooo slow. Reinstalled OSX 10.6 and the latest version of Itunes.
I have my WHS mounted and have clicked on the option key while opening Itunes, I for the life of me can't get Itunes to see the remote library. The error I get when trying to open this library is: An Itunes library file could not be found in the folder "Itunes Share". Please chose a different folder.
I have tried different folders within the share but no luck, I do notice there are files withing the music folder called "Musiclib.xml.lock" Is my problem that this file is locked and Itunes can't see it?
Please help, I urgently need my music back and my Apple TV content back.

I am trying to find the itunes library file on my windows home server. I believe all the files are on there. Yes it is logged into my WHS automatically, I can see the files on there ect.
Yes the WHS management software is installed on the Mac.
Just went to ilounge, but not sure what I should be doing. I've read about consolidating libraries but I can't open this library that is on my WHS.

I can't transfer unprotected music from my Windows Media Player library

I'm tryng to transfer my unprotected wma file to itunes library. I tried importing and add file or folder from "file" in I tunes. I tried placing " My Music " file on the desktop and then drag it to itunes . I transfered the WMP library once , but lost it when consolidating libraries in itunes. It converted the files and I downloaded them to ipod nano, then lost them again. Anyway to do this without burning to CD would be great. Thanks

What format was the music in? It would be either MP3, WAV, or WMA, it could in theory but in your case unlikely be also in AAC or Apple Lossless. iTunes does not support artwork in WAV files.
When music is added to Windows Media Player from a CD, typically the album artwork is not put in the music files itself but is instead stored as separate JPEG files in the folder the music file is in, this might explain things. I have not tried WMP12 but with older versions the quality of the album artwork was very poor so getting new artwork from the iTune Store as described by zsnow would be a better choice anyway as the iTunes Store has artwork at 600x600 pixels which is (was) three times as good as WMP.
If the iTunes Store does not do all the tracks and you still need to do some, you can either look for the JPEG files I mentioned and use those, or use Google to search for images and copy and paste them in to iTunes.

Apple TV accessing content on an external hard drive

I have two Mac Pros and an Apple TV which accesses iTunes libraries on both Macs. I want to consolidate both iTunes libraries onto an external hard drive. Will Apple TV be able to see this external hard drive and access the consolidated libraries?

Yes, should work fine - iTunes keeps track of the media - so long as itunes knows where the files are, drive is connected and itunes running it should work fine - it has done for me for years.
Your options would include creating a whole new library structure including database etc on the external or just setting a folder there as the place to store your media with the library databse etc residing where it does now.
AC

Consolidating libraries

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