Getting back my backed up photos!

Question

Hi guys,
In an emergency I needed to free up a lot of space on my internal HD and I backed up the follwowing folders, not really thinking of the consequences:
Schools Photos (7.11GB)
Originals (2.89 GB)
Data (129 MB)
Modified (1.77GB)
Obviously, in iphoto, the pics just come up as blank. How can I somehow restore the structure of the library? Also, since adding some photos to the library it has created a new folder in my pictures folder (School Photos, which also contains Originals, Modified etc)
I didn't think to note down the locations of these folders as I was in a panic at the time.
Any advice about how I could resolve this?
Many thanks!
Ben (Brazil)

Answer 1

Ben:
You could import the Modified folder and get, as a separate file, the edited version of your files also. But that would be duplicating files. If there's a lot it will take up disk space. If only a relative few then it shouldn't to too bad. The next time you backup the library take the entire library folder intact.
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. 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 now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.