Copied vs. Referenced iPhoto Library

I'm new to iPhoto, have two Canon cameras, 20D (DSLR) and SD850 (pocket Elph). I use Adobe Lightroom for my 20D photos and love it. But I use the SD850 for snaps everyday, carry it with me wherever I go and grab shots of life. For this I thought it might be faster easier to use iPhoto to manage my photos but didn't want to exclude the opportunity to use the same photos into Lightroom.
At first I wasn't aware of a "copied" vs. "referenced" mode. In fact to be frank, I think the definition of "copied" mode is counter-intuitive... to me copied means leave the file where it was placed on the disk and copy it into the iPhoto catalog database. But I digress... So I was in copied mode by default. Apple doesn't exactly make the "referenced" mode easily discovered, the docs don't mention it that I could find. I finally found it in these forums.
So after a few sessions of using copied mode I switched to referenced and loaded one card session of about 20 images. I then opened the "package" and looked in the Originals folder. All the images were there, no aliases, and each image was about 3MB, indicating a full image, not an alias. This was true for all the pictures.
My questions:
1. Why does the referenced mode still copy the image files into the Original folder?
2. What are the upsides and downsides between the two methods? I've read a few threads and it sounds like using referenced mode isn't a good idea, too many things that can go wrong. So in my case how else could I use the copied mode and still use the photos in Lightroom?
3. Is it easy to Export images back out of iPhoto library? Do they come out as they went in (JPG) and with/out changes? metadata? captions? I'll assume it would be like starting over in Lightroom with each photo re-modifying the images for changes, re-captioning, etc.
As for why I don't use Lightroom for everything... I would except iPhoto is more compatible with iWeb for fast web postings, blogging, etc. and iPhone display. If only Lightroom could do more... maybe it will in 2.0.

1. Why does the referenced mode still copy the image files into the Original folder?
I don't know, but I would try trash the com.apple.iphoto.plist file from the home / library / preferences folder and reset things to the way you want them and test again.
2. What are the upsides and downsides between the two methods?
a. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
b. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them
c. 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.
Frankly, there are two issues using iPhoto and Lightroom. Both want to manage the files, and Lightroom adds metadata that can cause problems too. But most of all, neither application is aware of the other (unlike iPhoto and Aperture, for instance). Personally, I would go for one or the other.
3. Is it easy to Export images back out of iPhoto library? Do they come out as they went in (JPG) and with/out changes? metadata? captions? I'll assume it would be like starting over in Lightroom with each photo re-modifying the images for changes, re-captioning, etc.
Yes it is. If you want the Original file, just go File -> Export and under 'Kind' select 'Original'. If you want the changes or metadata you can export including those in the same dialogue.
If only Lightroom could do more... maybe it will in 2.0.
My own impression is that Adobe is trying to create a 'enclosed eco-system' for its' apps, where they are tightly integrated with each other and ignore the OS and others. You might like to explore Aperture 2.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

"Referenced" iPhoto Library becoming bloated...?

Hello,
My iPhoto library is "referenced" (ie. iPhoto does not copy the images when importing) to my RAW image library which is manually organized outside the iPhoto library. I do zero edits, etc. to the images within iPhoto (I do all editing via Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop).
At the same time, I've only just created a new iPhoto library (again, a referenced library) and have just completed importing 8+ gigs of shoots from this year (all RAW images). Again, I have done zero edits on these images and haven't even opened them in Adobe Camera RAW or Photoshop.
Yet, this referenced iPhoto library is now sitting on my HD at a size of 3GB. I understand it still stores the JPG previews in the iPhoto library, but 3GB? As well, when I open the library (via "Show Package Contents") I see a large number of "modified" images (as well as the original JPG previews and aliases to the linked images).
First off, any ideas why I have so many "modified" images when I haven't done any modifications? And second, any ideas why my library is 3GB in size when it's only a referenced library?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kristin.

Do you have auto-rotate on your cameras? If so, this is just a flag, the files are not rotated. However, on import, iPhoto sees the flag and reads it as an instruction to rotate the image, which it does - hence a modified version of the pic.
Solution? Rotate before importing or turn off auto-rotate on your cameras.
Regards
TD

IPhoto library to Referenced iPhoto library

I am having difficulty transferring my iPhoto library (located on the internal HD) to my Referenced iPhoto library (located on a 3TB Ext. HD). I have most of my photos located in the Referenced iPhoto library. For some reason it started saving to the iPhoto library. I am now trying to transfer all the photos located on the iPhoto library to the Referenced iPhoto library. This seems more difficult than necessary, especially for someone who isn't "a simpleton". ::Sigh:: Help anyone please.....

Clearity is critical
End goal is when I click open on iPhoto for it to show me my photos on my external drive.
But your desire is not clear - iPhoto does not "show photos" unless they are imported into the iPhoto library - do you have photos on an external drive you wish to view? Then import them into iPhoto.
Do you have multi[ple iPhto libraries including one or more on the extrernal drive? Then to switch libraries you sue the switch library command under the file menu (iPhoto '11) or depress the option key and launch iPhoto and use the resulting select library window
When you click to open iPhoto is always opens the last opened library
and
I am trying to accomplish this by taking the photos in my iPhoto library (internal HD) and transferring them into the Referenced iPhoto Library (3TB external HD).
Again exactly what and how you are doing this is critical to getting teh correct answer - you can not sucessfully take photos form an iPhoto library and do anything with them - you must export photos from the iPhoto library to use them else where - and in you are importing them into a referenced library( once again you did not answer my question - is this a library when you have unchecked the iPhoto preference to copy imported items?) you are going to have major problems - this is strongly not recommended
In the event I need to pick up and go (fire, break-in etc.) I want to just be able to grab my external HD and go.
All you need to do this is to have your iPhoto library on the external drive - the EHD must be formatted Mac OS extended journaled) and you simply drag your iPhoto library from the internal drive intact as a single entity to the external drive, depress and hold the option key and launch iPhoto using the select library command to set the new default location
it is that simple
LN

I upgraded MacbookPro 2009 from 10.6.8 to Yosemite. Beforehand I made a backup copy of my Iphoto library onto an external hard drive. Lets call it BU. I also deleted half of my photos from the default library on my laptop, lets call it DE. I then in

I upgraded MacbookPro 2009 from 10.6.8 to Yosemite 2 weeks ago. My iphoto is now a nightmare. i went to our local apple retailer but they could not help either. Perhaps someone can help. Beforehand the OS upgrade I made a backup copy of my Iphoto library onto an external hard drive. Lets call it BU with 50GB. I also deleted half of my photos from the default library on my laptop, lets call it DE, now with about 20GB, to gain space. I then upgraded to Yosemite.
I have also installed since a long time Iphoto Library Manager 3.8.6. (this may be the cause of the problem as it was not upgraded and perhaps thus not compatible with iphoto 9.6 which I have now after the upgrade to Yosemite) It all worked fine before the upgrade, switching in iphoto between the two libraries DE and BU.
It also worked fine after the upgrade for a few days. At one stage Iphoto asked me to upgrade the iphoto version as it otherwise could not read the photos when I tried to load the BU library into iphoto. I did click yes to upgrade iphoto. As a result I became a brand new but totally empty library, no photos.
BU was still on the external disc, however the "Master" file was empty. We fortunately discovered all photos were in another file called Old Master, also under BU. We made another copy of the Old Master file onto the external disc. Lucky we did, because shortly afterwards we could not open anymore the BU file thus had no access to anything in there. Now I have 17000 photos in a file called Old Master on my external disc and another smaller library DE on my laptop. When I tried to import the photos from Old Master into a new iphoto library it was very messy. All events dates were mixed up, many photos were imported twice. I have no idea whether all my 17000 photos have been imported.
Can anyone suggest what is the most time efficient way? How do I best import my 17000 into a new library ensuring I don't loose any in the process. I do not wish sorting through 17000 photos for a week or so. Shall i also get a new iphoto library version now? Thank you for anything that may work.

Yes, the Old Master file has a folder for each year where I find all photos from that specific year. I am attaching a screen shot of the file.
In the meantime i have managed to download all photos (it did not download any video files though in mpg, avi, 3gp, m4v,mp4 and mov format) to a new iphoto library. Unfortunately the photos are quite mixed and often doubled up. I ma considering to purchase iphoto library which checks all duplicates in iphoto. this will save me a lot of time. What do you think?

I can't copy my old iPhoto library from a external HD to my new mac?

Hi. I just bought a new mac and want to have all my old iphoto pictures from my old mac into my new iPhoto library. I've tried to copy the old iPhoto library into a external HD(works fine), but the problem is that I can't copy it out from the external HD an in to my new mac again. It just say that it doesn't work because it doesnt have enough storage.
I don't get why it would say that, because the old iPhoto library is 89.55 GB and I haven't used any memory at all on my new macbook pro, and my old macbook pro has memory enough to have the iPhoto library on it (the mac is 5 years old and has almost a full memory), so why can't my new macs memory manage the iPhoto library when my old mac can? It doesn't make sense at all.
I've googled it, and it says everywhere that it should work by simply copy to external HD and move over the library from there and into the pictures folder, but this definitely doesn't work for me.
I hope that some please can help me with this, I don't know what do to.

Do you know how much space the cheapest macbook pro with reatina has?
http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/notebooks.html
A basic MBP may only have
128GB solid-state drive

Question about backing up Referenced Iphoto Library

I was wondering about the best way to back up a referenced iphoto library.
At this point in time I have my referenced iphoto library and my "master" photo library (a folder that contains all of the actual photos) on one external drive. I would like to back up both of these files to another external drive (on a monthly basis).
My question is, if I have both external drives on a the same time (both containing the Iphoto library & Master folder on each), and open up one of the reference iphoto libraries, which "master" photo folder will iphoto access? I want to make sure iphoto "references" the master folder I want it to.
I hope this question makes sense and appreciate any help.
Thanks.

Well that's for iPhoto 09 or earlier. In those versions the amount of space used was even greater with Referenced Libraries... (all those aliases take up space too...)
The installation consists of your Master Photos, plus thumbnails, Previews, database files and caches. In a managed Library the Masters are stored within the iPhoto Package File. In a Referenced Library the Masters are stored outside the iPhoto Package File. That's the only difference. So the total amount of space used in the Installation is... The same. Masters plus thumbnails, Previews, database files and caches.
Running a referenced Library offers no extra functionality, no extra capability and significant pitfalls. And it takes up the same amount of disk space.
For more on the pitfalls:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0
Regards
TD

Question re: Copying an old iPhoto Library to a new Mac

Hi -
I have an old, G5 PowerPC iMac, running OSX 10.4.11 and iPhoto '08 (version 7.1.5), and a new (2013) MacBook Pro running OSX 10.9.3 and iPhoto version 9.5.1.
I'd like to know if I'd have any problems copying the old iPhoto Library (22 GB) from the G5 iMac to the new MacBook Pro. I'm concerned that the great difference in versions would prevent the library from updating to the current version once it is copied. Thanks for any information or help anyone can provide. Thanks,
Shelly

Copy the library to your new Mac.
To be able to upgrade it to iPhoto '11 run the iPhoto Library Upgrader on your newer Mac, see this document:
iPhoto '11: About the Library Upgrader

Importing WITHOUT 'Copy Files to Iphoto Library Folder'

Hi -
All right - I completely understand the significance of this command. Love that I can use iPhoto simply as a browser to run through all my pictures; however, if I choose not to Copy the Files on to iPhoto, how do I manually put the pictures somewhere else? Right now my iPhoto automatically pops open when I plug in my Canon. I looked in Preferences and didn't notice anything there.
Ultimate goal would be to manually get the pictures into my Documents folder and then import to Iphoto.
Thanks!
Grace

Grace
If you think
I can use iPhoto simply as a browser to run through all my pictures
then you don’t
completely understand the significance of this command
iPhoto is not an image viewer. There are many image viewers for the Mac. Search on MacUpdate. The great thing about these is that they simply show you the contents of a folder of images.
That’s not iPhoto. It’s a database. Images still have to be imported to it, they will still be indexed and - more importantly - once imported you get a lot of disadvantages and few advantages of iPhoto.
If you want to move your pics from the Camera to your own folders: use Image Capture. It’s in your Applications Folder.
Some comments on running a Referenced Library:
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.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, there are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 Only*
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!
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and 10.5* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
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.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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.
Regards
TD

Moving original images when using a "referenced" iPhoto library...

Hello.
My iPhoto library is "referenced" (ie. iPhoto does not copy the images when importing) to my RAW image library which is manually organized outside the iPhoto library. If I want to move the location of these images, does anyone know how iPhoto handles this? Does iPhoto loose track of them when I move them? Will I have to individually re-link all the images? Is there a good way of going about this?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kristin.

I've had a test alias library find all of the files automatically when the move was to a different location on the same hard drive. Moving to another hard drive it was hit or miss as Terence mentioned. Sometimes re-pointing to a single file in a folder got the whole folder, sometimes not.
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.

How can I transfer/copy my entire iPhoto library from one iMac to another iMac whilst keeping all the folders and subfolders intact?

We recently purchased a new iMac for our office (8 GB memory, 2.7 processor, version 10.9.2) and we need to copy the iPhoto library from our other iMac (version 10.9.4) onto the new one. The photos are essential for our work and there are around 53,000 of them all organised into folders and subfolders and then the photos are manually ordered within the albums.
We have tried connecting the computers but when we tried to access the iPhoto library on the new iMac it says that iPhoto is locked and we do not have permission to view it. We updated iPhoto on the old iMac as we thought that might be the problem but the message still appears. We've been advised to use an external hard drive but we're worried that will corrupt the organisation of the library. We have also been told not to do it over AirDrop / the Server because of the sheer quantity of photos.
Any advice on how to safely do this would be much appreciated.

No idea exactly what you did
if you followed the instructions
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.
then you have exactly the same thin on your new system that you had on the old
If you do something differently - like import the library instead of simply opening it - then it will not work
did you dimply drag the iPhoto library from the pictures folder of the old machine to the pictures folder of the new machine and then launch iPhoto on the new machine?
and to help it is important to use word correctly since that is the only communications method we have - in iPhoto folders do not contain photos - you view photos in events and you can organize them using albums (which view photos) and folders (which hold either albums or other folders - folders never have photos in them) so your description of the problem is not at all clear since it uses folders incorretly
LN

Copying from one iphoto library to another/working with multiple libraries

hi-
my current workflow involves having a 'master library' on one of my external HDs where i store ALL of my images (35,000+) and a 'working library' in my macbook pro where i dump most recent pics first. typically i dump to the working library & then about every 3 months, i burn those events onto disc(s) from within iphoto, open my master library and copy from the disc into the master library. then i will seasonally clear the working library out other than a few portfolio items i may want to keep there.
in the past, when i copied onto the disc and then into the master library, the event names and ratings would copy over too (although if i'd keyworded them, that would get screwed up, so i stopped). now it's not working! the correct event names and ratings show up on the disc, but they are not copying into the master library. i believe this is since i upgraded to ilife 09.
any ideas? it is essential to my current workflow to preserve those event names and ratings. i turned 'autosplit' off in preferences. i tried turning it on. anyone else have experience working with more than one library like this?

thanks larry, i'll check it out and let you know if that solves it. should the free version be sufficient? looks like this could be a really big help if it actually works, cuz i would like to create a 3rd and 4th library for other purposes but not if it's just going to make things more of a pain for me.
i assume this should help with the keyword issue i was having before too? (if i keyworded pics in my working library, the keywords on those pics once copied to the master library would be wrong, it would apply other keywords sometimes, most of the time...)
i appreciate your help.
- artis

Hello. I have MacBook Pro. I have 30,000 photos on iPhoto which is not on the hard drive but on an external hard drive. I have purchased a 2nd external hard drive and I would like to make a copy of my iphoto library onto it. I cant get this to work.

I have MacBook Pro. I have my iPhoto library on external hard drive only. It has 30,000 photos on it. I have bought a 2nd external hard drive and would like to copy my iPhoto library onto it as a back up. I tried plugging both in and dragging the iPhoto library into the 2nd external harddrive. It looked as though it was working as it said 20 hours, however I then got a message box saying FiNader could not complete the task due to incompatible files. How do I do this please.

lllaass wrote:
Yes, you should format the HD.
A Mac can natively write to a NTSF drive and that is what most drives com formatted with.
You should use the Mac journaled format.
Once again you are posting incorrect information
Until we know what format the drive is it is impossible to state that it must be formatted - that is just a guess
And a Mac can not Natively write to an NTSF drive - it can natively read it but can not write to it with special software
And since formatting a drive erases it it is critical to tell users not to format until they have a positively known good backup
The TOU for these forum state that you should test your answers prior to posting them -- you obviously are not doing that and you advice is endangering users photos - please only post tested answers
LN

Copy iTunes and iPhoto library to new air mac

I've just bought a new air mac. I have my entire music and photo library on my imac - which is running snow leopard. I back the imac up to a 1tb time machine.
I tried to use migration assistant over wireless to migrate info to my air mac but this failed - as expected over wireless.
I ideally want to copy over itunes, iphoto , files and folders and my windows for mac to the air mac and retain them on my imac.
Is there an easy way to copy my information to my new air mac ?
There seems to be lots of hacks and options but I'm not usre which is the best way ?

Perhaps this will help: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748.
Your iPhoto library is located in the /Home/Pictures/ folder. If you've already migrated the home folder then everything has been moved including the iTunes library which is in the /Home/Music/ folder.

Can't copy or move iPhoto library because file is in use.

I'm trying to copy my iPhoto library which is stored on an external drive, to my new Mac Mini. The external drive has been connected to my laptop, and the file has been my primary library for the laptop, which is a MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion, so I'm not sure what the problem is with the file. The laptop was shut down properly, the drive removed and hooked up to the Mini, and everything else from the drive has transferred with no problem. The error message is that the file is in use – but it's not. iPhoto is not open anywhere.

There's no hard drive icon at all!?)
Have you just upgraded to Mt. Lion? Set your Finder's Preferences in the "General" tab and "Sidebar" tab: The new Lion's are playing "Hide and Seek" with the user.
OSX Tips Some Changes in Lion
OSX Tips Mountain Lion Changes
Regards
Léonie
When you can show your drive in the Finder, use "Get Info ⌘I" to check, if the "Lock" mark is set.
The message "In use by another User" should only appear, when you are trying to delete the library or to open it, but not when trying to copy.

Single Referenced iPhoto Library or Multiple Managed Libraries

I have a huge iPhoto library and I do very little editing. The library is on a firewire drive connected to an iMac. With iPhoto 11, the library has become sluggish (in addition to getting larger). I like to have all the photos in one library, but that seems to be the problem.
Having done some research, I am wondering whether it would be better to ignore the iPhoto file structure and make one complete "referenced library" or is it better to use iPhoto Buddy or iPhoto Library Manager to cut up the current library? Picasa may work faster, but I would like to stay in the Apple eco-system as long as possible. If one referenced library is the answer then how do you safely move the iPhoto Library files to the new file structure without corrupting the files and/or metadata?

Hi all. I am reading this post and thinking why would you want one huge library. I'm going through a nightmare right now with a corrupted massive library that houses my family's memories.
I had several time machine back ups. But it is only good as the data backed up. If corrupted then the backup has corrupted data. Garbage in, garbage out.
So I guess I'm asking. If you have 50k pics. Ranging, for example, from years 2005-2012. In all one library. When you open up iphoto to work with current pics, why stress it out to also bring in 5 years of pics that you probably almost never use.
Trust me. I love having all the pics at my disposal too.
But I've learned over the last two days that this seems like a huge risk.
If you have say 7 libraries ranging from 2005-2012. One of them gets corrupted. Only one gets corrupted ;)
The others are probably fine.
This whole rebuild and repair = totally worthless in my opinion. It not only didn't fix it, but it some now mysteriously added pics i previously deleted (like months ago)and rearranged other events. My library is totally shot. If I had several libraries I would be dealing with a disaster on a much smaller scale.
I also tried to rebuild with iPhoto library manager. Didn't work.
I'm a complete novice. But I'm sold on multiple libraries.
And for what it is worth, I spoke to a few apple senior techs. They told me they don't recommend libraries more than 40-50 gigs? Certainly not over 100 gigs.
Anyway I admit.... Part of me is also venting ;)

Copied vs. Referenced iPhoto Library

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