Error message "file unreadable" when importing from camera

When I plug in my digital camera to iPhoto 6, certain pictures do not import and get error message listing the files "file unreadable or wrong format." If I turn camera off and then back on, it gives the message again but with DIFFERENT files.
This happens recently on my iMac (never happened before). The same camera with same images plugged into my MacBook gives no problems. Both running 10.5.4.

Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords 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

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Photo files size when importing from camera, uploading to facebook

When I import photos from my camera to iPhoto, then upload them to facebook, they are not the original size. This is my first mac and first time to use iPhoto so maybe that's normal. Is there a setting I need to change? How do I know if the files I have imported are being saved on my computer with their original specs? I am hesitant to clear the pics from my camera, fearing I might lose their original quality!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
As for facebook, when using my old pc the photos remained the original size after uploading. It wasn't until I used iPhoto that they began to upload in a smaller version.
Are you referring to file size as in KB or MB or image size as in pixel dimension. As Terence pointed out I doubt if Facebook will accept a full image files at the original size. Most are in the MB range and Facebook would run out of storage space in no time.
It might very well be that iPhoto will resize the pixel dimension of the photos to a "standard" size for uploading and Facebook then downsizes the actual file size. That means compressing the file to make a smaller file but not a smaller image.

When importing from camera into aperture, photo's are also copied to my desktop, if i delete from desktop i am unable to edit photo in aperture. Must have done something, but what?

When importing from camera into aperture, photo's are also copied to my desktop, if i delete from desktop i am unable to edit photo in aperture. Must have done something, but what?

Have a look at your import setting specifically Store Files:
Make sure it is set to where you want the originals to go.
Message was edited by: Frank Caggiano - Don;t empty the system trash. The originals that you deleted from the Desktop are in there and are the only copies you have unless they are still in the camera.

How can I keep tabs on the file size when importing from the Event Library into a Project? I want to ensure the movie will fit onto a 4.7Gb disc?

How can I keep tabs on the file size when importing from the Event Library into a Project? I want to ensure the movie will fit onto a 4.7Gb disc?

iDVD does not care about file sizes, as it compresses the file to the standard DVD format of mpeg2.
It only cares about length i.e. max 2 hours including titles etc.
iDVD encoding settings:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iDVD/7.0/en/11417.html
Short version:
Best Performance is for videos of up to 60 minutes
Best Quality is for videos of up to 120 minutes
Professional Quality is also for up to 120 minutes but even higher quality (and takes much longer)
Professional Quality: The Professional Quality option uses advanced technology to encode your video, resulting in the best quality of video possible on your burned DVD. You can select this option regardless of your project’s duration (up to 2 hours of video for a single-layer disc and 4 hours for a double-layer disc). Because Professional Quality encoding is time-consuming (requiring about twice as much time to encode a project as the High Quality option, for example) choose it only if you are not concerned abo
In both cases the maximum length includes titles, transitions and effects etc. Allow about 15 minutes for these.
You can use the amount of video in your project as a rough determination of which method to choose. If your project has an hour or less of video (for a single-layer disc), choose Best Performance. If it has between 1 and 2 hours of video (for a single-layer disc), choose High Quality. If you want the best possible encoding quality for projects that are up to 2 hours (for a single-layer disc), choose Professional Quality. This option takes about twice as long as the High Quality option, so select it only if time is not an issue for you.
Use the Capacity meter in the Project Info window (choose Project > Project Info) to determine how many minutes of video your project contains.
NOTE: With the Best Performance setting, you can turn background encoding off by choosing Advanced > “Encode in Background.” The checkmark is removed to show it’s no longer selected. Turning off background encoding can help performance if your system seems sluggish.
And whilst checking these settings in iDVD Preferences, make sure that the settings for NTSC/PAL and DV/DV Widescreen are also what you want.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1502?viewlocale=en_US

Any way to rename files when importing from camera with iPhoto?

I have a naming scheme that I've used when importing photos from my camera (e.g. 2008-09-12-Event ). I can't create a custom folder (in Pictures but outside iPhoto Library) or rename things when importing with iPhoto - is that right? I can't find any advanced options to import ...
If I want this (and don't want to use Adobe Bridge CS3), do I have to get Aperture?
Thanks -
Alexa
p.s. I haven't really figured out WHERE my photos go with iPhoto? I've been editing in Photoshop Elements 6 but then have to "Save As" to replace the file - saving it doesn't do it (I think that sends it to the iPhoto library somewhere?) Eek...

Alexa:
You might consider this workflow:
1 - using either Image Capture or a card reader upload the images to a folder on the desktop.
2 - name the folder with a brief description of the shoot. I use a short date and description: 08/01/08-Dinner at Toad Hall
3 - use a file renaming application like Resize! to batch rename the files to your specification. I use the international date (for the capture date) and a brief description: 2008-08-01-Dinner at TH-001.jpg.
This allows for good chronological searching and sorting as well as text searching on the description. It also avoids duplicate file name issues in the future. Granted a few extra steps up front but saves me a lot of time later on.
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. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. 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.
Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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I had the same issue with my most recent import from my D300. It was also my first import since updating to 10.5.6 and the most recent camera raw update. I also made sure that "do not import duplicates" was selected in the Aperture import window.
-Scrags

IPhoto Freezes When Importing from Camera

Each time I've tried to import from my camera iphoto freezes during the import and I have to force quit it. I have tried copying the photos from the cameras folders to the computer and then importing from there but it also freezes. I did not have any problems importing using iphoto on 10.4 and I have now tried to import onto a friends computer (PC) and it works fine (so not my memory card or camera gone wrong).
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Nyssa
Start with the troubleshooting basics:
1. Repair Permissions using Disk Utility
2. Delete the com.apple.iPhoto.plist file from the HD/Users/ Your Name / library / preferences folder. You'll need to reset your User options afterwards.
3. Create a new account (systempreferences -> accounts) and see if the problem is repeated there. If it is, then a re-install of the app might be indicated. If it's not, then it's likely the app is okay and the problem is something in the main account.
Regards
TD

Raw and jpeg will not show when imported from camera

I am doing a OCA degree in digital photography using aperture 3 . I have been asked to take Raw and J pag , open up in the program I use. And not the differance and the make changes.
I have 1d MK III and 7 d I cannot get both file types to show side by side.. Some one tell me how to do this please. I must have clicked , ticked something , that I cannot find to put right again.

As always, start by copying the images on to a folder on the hard drive and then backing up the folder. Never import directly from camera or card into Aperture or any other images app.
Then since this is an exercise not a batch workflow, simply rename the RAW and JPEG versions of one image and separately import each renamed version into Aperture. The two should each be Masters, one from the JPEG original and one from the RAW original.
Note the JPEG may initially "look" better on the (relatively low resolution) display due to in-camera presets like sharpening, etc. not present in the RAW file. However the RAW file contains much more image data, is much more editable and is capable of making superior (relatively very high resolution) hard copy prints.
HTH
-Allen Wicks

Photoshop "import failed" error. Photos won't import from camera. Anyone else with this error?

Hi,
I am using photshop elements 9 with windows 7. I have been successful in importing photos in the past. Recently I have received the error message "import failed" "95% nothing was imported the files or folder selected did not contain any supported file types or the files are already in catalog". The files are not in the catalog. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program, I have repaired the catalog as suggested on another thread with the same issue. Nothing is working. On the catalog repair it said there were errors and I did the repair on those, I then tried to import again and got the same error message. I then tried to tag a photo that was already in organizer and received an error message that the files are corrupt.'m beyond frustrated now. Thanks
Annette

Annette,
Welcome to the forum.
As Curt points out, this is not the Photoshop Elements Forum. I will Move your post to that forum, where you will get great support. Your links and any e-mail subscriptions will follow perfectly.
[Moved to Photoshop Elements Forum]
Good luck,
Hunt

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I have the same problem. Although, after I delete it I still can't render the menu. It shows that its rendering and when it reaches 100% it goes back about 5% (to about 95% complete) and starts moving towards 100% again, then back and forth endlessly.
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Grayed out, weird photos when importing from Camera Roll

OK, wondering if anyone else is experiencing this? I use Photoshop's Bridge import to pull my photos of my iPhone 3Gs. When I do, I often have these weird photos - I'm not totally sure why they are happening. And, the good news is that once they are pulled, they appear to be fine, but I'm just looking to see if I'm not the only one.
They seem to be possibly related to:
a) being taken by an alternate camera app (I've tried several, Camera Genius, Snapture, CameraFlash and CameraZoom - yep, trying to get a better photo!),
b) being altered in some way (I've used Photogene to improve some, but it makes a duplicate?), or
c) being copied or saved to the CameraRoll from another program (I'm a Phanfare user and their Photon app is phenomenal).
So, some pictures of examples below, but as long as they images are OK when they come in, is it just fine? I always worry when something is not what it should be on an Apple device or within an Apple software.
Thx - Alexa
(Saved to Camera Roll from Photon - you can see though that others saved the exact same way are fine?):
!http://www.alexacorcoran.com/misc/Picture4.png!
(Photo taken in Genius app)
!http://www.alexacorcoran.com/misc/Picture2.png!
(Photo edited with Photogene - is still vertical when I pull it off and obviously color, etc.)?
!http://www.alexacorcoran.com/misc/Picture3.png!
Message was edited by: akcorcoran

Hi Lawrence -
Thanks for your response! I'm on a Mac so my options are different, but I think about using a more basic viewer and went to iPhoto and looked at the pictures on my phone as a device, and they all look fine (or some are not duplicates) - so maybe it's just a Photoshop import thing or ghosting issue?
Alexa

Trouble with split into clips when importing from camera

I'm importing old video from mini DV tapes into iMovie. Unlike many other people writing here, I'm not having trouble with the connection between the camera and the computer. That works fine. I click "import" and the video IS imported.
The problem is, iMovie splits up the video it loads into little clips, some are long and some are less than a second long. Then, when it displays them in the clips window, they are out of order. For instance, the first few bars of a song might be pulled off and be in a short clip near the bottom of the list while the rest of the song is in a longer clip near the top. As a result, I am forced to carefully put them back in order -- like making a jigsaw puzzle -- as I drag them into the project.
Can I either turn off whatever it is that splits the input into clips (I'd like just one big clip) OR at least could the clips be displayed in the order that they were loaded from the camera so that clips that belong together are next to each other?
Thanks (and sorry for asking what is PROBABLY a dumb question),
ak

The best answer I've found so far to my own question is the post from Randman here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9007098
As he points out, the problem is that iMovie is splitting and ordering the clips by their "time stamp", but if the video was previously edited (even by iMovie itself!) this time stamp may reflect the time it was edited rather than the time it was filmed. This is especially a problem for clips that have a title or special effect used on PART of it, because the modified part does not show up anywhere near the unmodified part in the list of clips.
Randman ALSO provides a sort of solution: rename the files themselves. I found this did work. (You rename them so that time stamps in the filename are in increasing order when listed in order by "last modified" which reflects the time they were loaded from the camera!)
I've written myself a script to do this automatically, but it is a bit of a hack and not really suitable for distribution. But, I suggest that someone with more time and programming experience than I write such a script that would help people with this problem!

Can't delete images when importing from camera

I use Nikon Transfer to import images from my digital cameras but now I can't delete the images from the card once transferred. I've also tried Image capture but Delte is greyed out. It seems like a Permissions thing but I'm not sure how to check.
thanks

What he says is +"you want the image being shown to be exactly sized to your screen. Images from almost all modern cameras are much larger in pixel dimensions than your Mac's display, so they will be interpolated down to fit. When they are resized on the fly through interpolation they never look as crisp or pristine."+
The title of the piece is +"Resize Images for iPhoto Slideshows".+ He is talking about you resizing photos before you import so they will match the screen size during the display of a slide show on the screen - not iPhoto changing anything during the import of the photo but during the display of it - This is a bit like the cropping during printing questions - if you want to control exactly have is being shown (or printed) rather than use a generalized scheme to make photos fit a non native size then you much do the changes yourself
I'm sure that he is correct but since I use iPhoto as a photo library manager which lets me show quick and easy slideshows, I have no problem - *my original, unaltered photos are there in iPhoto* and available for use as I see fit - the degree of modification that takes place in the display of a slideshow has never even been noticeable to me - but then I do not see iPhoto as a single purpose slide show viewer - in fact that is a very minor feature for me
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

Does iPhoto alter images when importing from camera ?(+ tip for slideshow)

I came across the following article:
http://www.andrewburke.orconhosting.net.nz/mac/builtin.htm#photo
The claim here is that during import iPhoto alters images in some way. The iPhoto experts, Terence OldToad, LarryHN and others, could you please comment, what's your opinions on this ?
Resize Images for iPhoto Slideshows
If you are running a slideshow in either Preview or iPhoto, you want the image being shown to be exactly sized to your screen. Images from almost all modern cameras are much larger in pixel dimensions than your Mac's display, so they will be interpolated down to fit. When they are resized on the fly through interpolation they never look as crisp or pristine.
When I import images from my Nikon to the Mac, I keep them outside of iPhoto and at their original size, as an archive from which I might eventually produce some prints. From there I choose the best examples that I want to display onscreen and copy those out of the archive for processing. Each one of those favorites that I've chosen is then tweaked in an image editor (I use Gimp Shop) and the final step before sharpening is to resize it down to match the dimensions of my display.
My iMac is 1440 by 900, so if an image is narrower than that ratio I scale it so the height is exactly 900; if it's wider I scale it so the width is exactly 1440. After these tweaked and resized images are finished I import only those into iPhoto. Then when I run a slideshow they are displayed exactly at their original size (not stretched or shrunk to fit the screen) and the difference is stunning.

What he says is +"you want the image being shown to be exactly sized to your screen. Images from almost all modern cameras are much larger in pixel dimensions than your Mac's display, so they will be interpolated down to fit. When they are resized on the fly through interpolation they never look as crisp or pristine."+
The title of the piece is +"Resize Images for iPhoto Slideshows".+ He is talking about you resizing photos before you import so they will match the screen size during the display of a slide show on the screen - not iPhoto changing anything during the import of the photo but during the display of it - This is a bit like the cropping during printing questions - if you want to control exactly have is being shown (or printed) rather than use a generalized scheme to make photos fit a non native size then you much do the changes yourself
I'm sure that he is correct but since I use iPhoto as a photo library manager which lets me show quick and easy slideshows, I have no problem - *my original, unaltered photos are there in iPhoto* and available for use as I see fit - the degree of modification that takes place in the display of a slideshow has never even been noticeable to me - but then I do not see iPhoto as a single purpose slide show viewer - in fact that is a very minor feature for me
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

Raw files will not Import from Camera?

I have Elements 6 and Canon XSI. I took photos that I can view in my camera, when I attempted to import them into Elements 6 I'm getting the following messages: Not Imported- the files or folders seletect to import did not contain any supported file types.
also: The file is damaged or is a format that cannot be included in the organizer?
I have no idea what is happening or what to do?
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First off the problem you're having isn't being caused by the fact that you have a trial version of Aperture. The trial version is full featured, nothing is crippled.
You don;t state just what problems you are having when you try yo import into Aperture. Supplyinh that info might help figure out whats going on. Also I see by the product info on your post you're running Lion. Is that correct?

Error message "file unreadable" when importing from camera

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