Downsizing original Iphoto library

Question

I wanted to downsize (segment) my 96Gb Iphoto library to smaller libraries by year.
What is the recommended method of doing this?
I've already tried this:
Copied original 96Gb to another location, renamed as "2006" , opened in Iphoto, using hold option button when opening Iphoto, and proceeded to delete all images not related to 2006.
I also did the same for years 2004, and 2005, and 2007.
What I've noticed is that the library size is still very big (around 50Gb, even though the content is much smaller , (like 10Gb).
Digging around in Finder , I examined the package contents to find that for every new library I created, it had remnants of other years in them.
So I deleted anything in the package contents not applicable to that year.
*I know, I know , everyone says dont mess with the package contents.
Anyways, this did reduce my library file size to a more reasonable figure. (factoring in thumbnail pics etc..)
But on one year , 2005, I get an occasional error message to check the disk space for the library. *I have plenty of space.
Other years seem to be fine, but I still am holding onto my original multiyear library, which works without error, but is just too **** huge.
Any ideas on a different approach , short of starting libraries from scratch?
Thanks

Answer 1

Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
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. 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.