Folders and duplicates everywhere; empty folders... a mess in the Library

Question

I am tired of iPhoto's difficulty to use as soon as you modify pix and try to move pix from a computer to another.
It creates tones of duplicates files, empty folders and doesn't even recognize px it already imported.
I have the same pix floating everywhere.
THen i tried to delete some folders and files and some pix are now 'offline'.
Any trik other than don't mess with iPhoto, don't modify your pix and don't move them from one computer to the other one.
Help!

Answer 1

xavier
iPhoto is a database. Think of it this way. When you use iPhoto it's like hiring a filing clerk and giving them your shoe box full of photos. "Take these and sort them out so that when I ask for one, you can give it to me, and fast." So the Clerk sets up his filing structure, then goes home for the evening and you go into the filing cabinets and move things around. Next morning, it is any wonder that the Clerk can't find things?
So here's tip one: 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.
You do everything you need to do via the iPhoto Window - and the good news is that everything you need to do can be done from there. So, ignore the iPhoto Library Folder. There are no user serviceable parts in there.
Want to access a file: There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
To upload to MySpace or any 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.
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
Also, for 10.5 users: If you use the extended Open or Attach dialogue (with Column View) you can scroll to the bottom of the Shortcuts and find the Media browser there. Select any pic you want from there.
Want to use a photo editor? 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.
FYI: This might explain how the iPhoto Library Folder is laid out: A Note about the iPhoto Library Folder:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
This allows the Photos -> Revert to Original command - very useful if you don't like the changes you've made.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Regards
TD