Duplicate filenames (using 2 cameras)

Question

How does iPhoto work with 2 (different) photos that would have the same filename?
(i.e. my wife and I both have olympus cameras; the filenames are 'coded' with the date (and a sequence#) (as part of the filename).)
Would like to store all photos in one user account. The 'duplicate named' photos would also share tags etc...
Thanks
TM
Message was edited by: Travmac63

Answer 1

TM:
One problem you will run into at a later date is if you try export those photos outside of iPhoto to a folder. If two of those files have the same file name you may get a warning and won't be able to export. There are three workarounds to that:
1 - do a batch, sequential rename of the title for those files and then export using the "Use Title" option.
2 -use the Sequential option which will give you the opportunity to add the file name to use which will give you file names text1.jpg, text2.jpg, etc.
3 - use the "Use Album" option which will give you file names Album name-0.jpg, album name-1.jpg, etc.
A fourth option would be to upload from the camera to a folder on the desktop and then batch sequentially rename them with an application like R-Name. You can give them an appropriate title and indicate which camera they came from.
I use the date and a letter designation depending whose camera it came from: 2006-03-27-d01.jpg.
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.