HELP NEEDED! iphoto library from version '08 to '11?

How do I export/transfer/migrate/move the iphoto library from an old computer running iphoto version '08 (7.1.5) to a new computer running version '11 (9.1.2)?
Due to lack of space (library >100GB) I intend to put the old library on an external drive and keep it there for reference. My more current photos are kept in a new fresh local library.
I succeed in transfering the library to the external drive, however the icon for the file (in Finder) is not recognized as an iphotolibrary (iPhoto Library masa is a test library, iphotolibbig is the library I want to transfer):
I now tried creating a new library iPhotoLibraryBIGfromG5 (it is empty to start with even though the name says BIG...):
I now open iphoto choosing the iPhotoLibraryBIGfromG5 and then import the old library by simply dragging and dropping into iphoto.
The photos surely show up, but I loose all my "events" and some info is corrupt (and what else, I don't know haven't looked into all errors).
Please, please give me some hints on this issue, it has followed me for a long time now...
Help is much appreciated!

I now open iphoto choosing the iPhotoLibraryBIGfromG5 and then import the old library by simply dragging and dropping into iphoto.
This is NOT the way to convert an older library to iPhoto 11.
To move you library from your old Mac to the new one all you need to do is connect the two and drag it to the location on the new Mac where you want to run it. In this case that would be to your external hard drive.
Then open iPhoto 11 with the Option key held down, click on the Other Library button.
Click to view full size
Navigate to the external hard drive and select the library that you moved there. iPhoto 11 will open and convert it to the new format keeping your events, albums, keywords, titles, slideshows, books, etc. intact.
If you want to keep a smaller library on your boot drive launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and use the Create New... button. Then use iPhoto Library Manager to copy the Event and/or albums from the full library on the EHD into the smaller library on the boot drive. It will keep the keywords, titles, descriptions intact.
Again as a reminder, do not import the old library into a new library.
OT

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Need help saving iPhoto library from damaged hard drive

Trying to help my wife, she has the following:
MacBook Pro running OS X Lion version 10.7.3
iPhoto 11 version 9.2.2
Her hard drive failed last week and she had a ton of photos on it, of course not backed up.
We took her machine to the local Apple Store, they confirmed they couldn't recover the data and they installed a new hard drive in the MacBook. We took the old hard drive to my local PC supplier who's very clever, he worked on the hard drive and was able to copy all my wife's documents to another storage device.....but, he couldn't copy the iPhoto library and is requesting some help.....he doesn't know much about Macs, nor how iPhoto works.
I've read a lot of the posts on this forum and am learning about how the iPhoto library works....and how it requires a Mac based back up hard drive in order to copy it. Okay, here are my questions:
1. My PC troubleshooting guy can see the iPhoto library icon on the damaged hard drive, he says its a huge file. It appears we would need to supply him with a Mac formated back up hard drive, then he could just move that iPhoto library icon (which contains all photos) to the new back up drive. Is this correct?
2. Once we have this old iPhoto library on the new back up hard drive, we could bring it home of course, but then I need to get it into the new hard drive on my wife's MacBook Pro. I'm assuming I can plug this back up drive into my wife's machine, then import the old library into her machine. How do I do this properly?
3. If I bring the old library into the new MacBook Pro hard drive, will it erase the existing iPhoto library on her new hard MacBook Pro hard drive, or will it combine them somehow? She has added of course some pics to the new iPhoto library already, but if we have to delete them it won't kill us. The old stuff that got recovered from the damaged drive is more important.
Thanks ahead.....now to the experts?

Thanks Terence.....
regarding this point:
3. use the paid version ($20) of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the Libraries. that way you won't lose anything.
I have another access to her new photos, whereby I could reload them onto her MacBook if we lose the new library.....so I'll save the $20 and just reload them.....two more questions:
1. So, if I drag the iPhoto library folder from the new back up hard drive to the Pictures Folder in Finder, will that overwrite the existing library folder on her MacBook?
2. After I drag this folder into finder, will iPhoto recognize everything? I assume yes....just checking.
thanks ahead!

Help Restore iPhoto Library from external drive

Shortly after upgrading to Maverick my hard drive died, a complaint for another board. Anyway, I was foolish and did not back up my hard drive. However, after apple replaced the hard drive I had them give me the old drive. I bought a case for it and was able to manually pull over all the data I needed except for the iPhoto library. I noticed when pulling the information over if I pulled an entire folder over that more than15gb or so it would fail. But if I went an pulled over some groups of them (about 1GB) at a time it would work. The problem is the iPhoto Library only shows as on file/folder, and I cant figure out how to access it as indidivuals files. Is there a way to break up the iPhoto library into all the files so I can pull them over. The file is currently about 150gb and fails everytime I try to drag it over.

The library is a package and can be entered as shown in this screenshot:
So if you can't move the entire library over at one time you can do the:
Launch iPhoto Library Manager and use it to rebuild the library on the EHD. However, have the rebuild library be created on the new internal HD.
OT

HT5037 Difficulty moving old iPhoto library from 2008 (not sure which version of iPhoto it is) to new macbook pro running OSX Mavericks.

I tried downloading AND RUNNING the upgrader and I'm stuck in an infinite loop. After running the upgrader from the utilities folder, it looks like things are working. Then a window pops up asking me to launch iphoto to complete the upgrade. After launching iphoto, iphoto goes back to the original error message that I need to download the upgrader.
I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the upgrader multiple times to no avail. I've also tried dragging my iphoto library from the external hard drive it is housed on to many different areas before trying to launch the upgrader, none of them worked. The external hard drive format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled). I also tried dragging the iphoto library folder in the pictures file onto my new Macbook right next to my new iphoto library folder. This allowed me to open up iphoto (Yay!) but of course, none of the photos from my old iphoto library were in their, even when the old library was selected.
I've read what seems like hundreds of posts on this same issue, but can't seem to find a solution that works for me. I want to simply transfer my iphoto library from an external hard drive (my old macbook just crashed, so this is the only option) to my new macbook, keeping the albums, slideshows, and organization intact.
I would appreciate any help or feedback. Thank you in advance for reading this!

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places 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

How can I transfer/copy my entire iPhoto library from one iMac to another iMac whilst keeping all the folders and subfolders intact?

We recently purchased a new iMac for our office (8 GB memory, 2.7 processor, version 10.9.2) and we need to copy the iPhoto library from our other iMac (version 10.9.4) onto the new one. The photos are essential for our work and there are around 53,000 of them all organised into folders and subfolders and then the photos are manually ordered within the albums.
We have tried connecting the computers but when we tried to access the iPhoto library on the new iMac it says that iPhoto is locked and we do not have permission to view it. We updated iPhoto on the old iMac as we thought that might be the problem but the message still appears. We've been advised to use an external hard drive but we're worried that will corrupt the organisation of the library. We have also been told not to do it over AirDrop / the Server because of the sheer quantity of photos.
Any advice on how to safely do this would be much appreciated.

No idea exactly what you did
if you followed the instructions
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
then you have exactly the same thin on your new system that you had on the old
If you do something differently - like import the library instead of simply opening it - then it will not work
did you dimply drag the iPhoto library from the pictures folder of the old machine to the pictures folder of the new machine and then launch iPhoto on the new machine?
and to help it is important to use word correctly since that is the only communications method we have - in iPhoto folders do not contain photos - you view photos in events and you can organize them using albums (which view photos) and folders (which hold either albums or other folders - folders never have photos in them) so your description of the problem is not at all clear since it uses folders incorretly
LN

Sharing iPhoto Library from HD on iMac with SSD/HD

I'm looking for guidance on how to share the iPhoto library among users on a single iMac from the HD drive, as opposed to the SSD. The shared folder appears to only extend to the SSD and I'd prefer to set up the machine so photo content resides on the HD. I'm also still exploring the possibilities of restricting some user's levels of access. I've seem helpful threads suggesting setting up a media account access and allowing other users "read" access only, which appeals to me, but I guess I need to verify that will work if the library resides on the HD drive. If I need to allow all users full access rights, so be it. I'm running the latest version of Mountain Lion and iPhoto (and also using the latest version of Aperture on the iPhoto library and all photos are maintained in the library (no reference photos yet, though I suppose I'd prefer not to foreclose that possibility). Thanks in advance.

Put the Library on the HD. In your set up the HD will perform just like an external. So:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the HD.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your SSD to free up space.
Now you can share it as you wish. For Read Only access:
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.

Transferring iPhoto Library from old Mac to new Mac

I'm trying to transfer my iPhoto library from my old mac to my new MacBook Air. My old mac (black macbook purchased July 2008 - MacBook4,1) is running OS 10.5.8 and the OS can't be upgraded. My iPhoto (ver 7.1.5) library needs to be prepared using the iPhoto Library Upgrader tool in order to transfer the library, but my OS doesn't support the program. It says the upgrader tool 1.1 requires OS X version 10.6.8 or later. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Connect the two Macs together (network, firewire target mode, etc) or use an external hard drive formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - download and run the iPhoto library upgrader (it installs in the utilities folder of your Applications folder - double click it to run it), launch iPhoto on the new mac and it will open the library and convert it as needed and you will be ready move forward.
LN

Restore iphoto library from external disk backup

Dear all,
I need to restore all the iPhoto library after have backup and formatted my MacBook pro with iPhoto11.
Before to format the hard disk I have copied all the "Pictures" folder to an external HDD and it also includes a file named "iPhoto Library".
Then I have formatted the hard disk, installed the OS Montain Lion and iPhoto11 and the iPhoto library was empty at the beginning.
I tried to simply copy the file "iPhoto Library" from the external hard drive backup and substitute the original emply file. Then when I run the iPhoto it said "iPhoto library was probably created with a newer version of iPhoto and cannot be opened" and I could just quit. So I have restored the original empty file.
I've noticed that the file "iPhoto Library" is an archive and can be opened by itself. Is there a way to copy the right files from that archive?
I tried to find a solution in the website http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2504 but it's not valid in my case.
Hope you guys can help me since I had very important pictures in the archive!!
Thanks in advance.
GP

Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library
LN

How best to transfer iPhoto Library from old Mac to new Mac

I've just taken delivery of a gleaming new 17inch iMac. (I'm very proud!)
I have an old G3 iMac with approx 1000 photo's on iPhoto. (Not sure which version but that Mac is still running OSX 10.1.5 so it's a fairly early version).
What is the best way to transfer the photo's across? I'd like to keep the album structure in place if possible.
I'm fairly sure I can do this by connecting the macs with an ethernet cable but I haven't got a clue how to do it!
Thanks in advance for any help.
McD
G3 CRT Slot Loading iMac 600Mhz and 17inch iMac Core 2 Duo, 2ghz. Mac OS X (10.1.x)

Bob
Given that you've already started using the iPhoto on the new machine then yes, copying the iPhoto Library Folder from the external HD will certainly affect things. If you copy it to the default location in your Pictures Folder it will overwrite the new one.
So, now you now have two libraries and you want to merge them. How much effort have you put into the new one? If it's only a roll or two you could simply take the rolls out of the NEW iPhoto Library Folder / Originals, then copy the OLD one over - letting it over write, then import the NEW photos.
If you have a lot of work, you can merge the two libraries. For that, you'll need iPhoto Library Manager
Regards
TD
ps - it is quite easy to do... until you create a second library.

I opened original iPhoto Library (from iMac 10.8.5) on new MBP and now it won't open on iMac

As my main computer I use an iMac which is not yet updated to Mavericks and I'd rather not update for now. I recently bought a MBP retina which has Mavericks on it.
Whilst I was using the shared network to copy over some files to my new macbook I opening the iPhoto library off my iMac onto my MBP. Everything worked fine. However when I tried to open that library on my iMac it doesn't work. I just get a pop up saying:
The library “iPhoto Library” cannot be opened.
To open it, you must upgrade to the latest version of iPhoto.
Quit
I've tried updating but of course I cannot. I can't even double check what version of iPhoto I am running as everything is greyed out. When I go to the app store and click update I get:
Download an older version of this app?
The current version requires OS X 10.9 or later, but you can download the last compatible version.
When I download the older version it doesn't do anything unfortunately. Is there a way to get my iphoto library back on my iMac as there's a LOT of images on there that I need.
Thanks

You will need to restore your iPhoto Library from a back up of your iMac prior to when you opened it on your new MBP Retina.
The iPhoto app for OS X Mavericks upgrades the iPhoto Library DB and you can't go back. There should have been a message displayed when you first tried opening it from your MBP Retina warning you that the libary will be upgraded.
So, as long as you have a back up of the library prior to opening it with an OS X Mavericks Mac, you can continue using it with your iMac running OS X Mountain Lion. What this means is, until you upgrade your iMac to OS X Mavericks and the newer version of iPhoto, you will have to maintain 2 iPhoto Libraries and not share it.

How do I restore an iPhoto library from Time Capsule

My iMac was stolen. I have a MacBook Air running Yosemite version 10.10.2. The iPhoto Library was not on the MacBook. How do I restore my iPhoto Library from a Time Machine backup on my Time Capsule onto my MacBook? I am using iPhoto version 9.6.1.
Two complications:
1. I have several hundred photos from a different iPhoto library on my MacBook.
2. I think the iPhoto library that is hopefully on my Time Capsule is too big to fit on my MacBook. I have 50 GB free space remaining on a 256 GB SSD.
Thank you.

If the library to be restored is too big for your boot drive you'll need to get an external HD, formatted OS X Extended (journaled) with ownership set to be ignored, and restore the iPhoto Library to it according to the instructions in the following screenshot:
With the restored library up and running you can use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the Macbook library into the restored library on the EHD. A possible candidate for the EHD is the OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro USB 3.0 / FireWire 800. It lends itself nicely for portable use.
Once you are satisfied that the merge was successful you can delete the Macbook library from the Pictures folder.

I own a MacBook Pro and an iMac. How can I copy my iPhoto library from my MacBook to the iMac?

I own a 13" MacBook Pro and a 27" iMac and I have different iPhoto libraries for each one of them.
How can I copy the iPhoto library from the MacBook to the iMac without losing the pictures I have on the iMac library?
Is it possible to merge the libraries?
Can I do this without using an external HDD? (e.g. connecting them through an ethernet cable?)
Thanks for your help!

1. By eirher a: renaming one of the Libraries or b: copying them to another folder
2. If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager
3. Yes.

How do I transfer iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Air and retain the Albums?

I just transferred my iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Air by dragging the entire Library from my Pictures folder onto an external HD and then dragging from there onto my new Air. Transfer effected fine and all images now appear in iPhoto on the new Air. One problem: the Albums that were present on the left hand toolbar in iPhoto on my old machine are no longer there, so I have 50,000 images with no organization. Events are still there organized by date so that is something, but the Albums are not there and that is what I primarily relied on. Help please??

The left hand pane is the source pane. Were both Macs running the same version of iPHoto?
Try rebuilding the library with the option to Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
OT

How do I import an old iphoto library from an external hard disk while keeping my editing and organization in tact?

I am running iPhoto '08 on a MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Intel C2D (MacBook Pro 3,1). I backed up my hard drive contents onto an external hard drive, then formatted my computer and installed Mountain Lion. I then re-installed iPhoto '08 and ran all the updates. Now, I would like to import my old library from the external disk onto my computer without losing my editing and organization; however, when I select "import to library" from iPhoto, the old iPhoto library is not a selectable option.
I know how to "show package contents" and import directly from the Original and Modified folders, but I don't want to lose my organization. Can I simply drag the content of those folders into my new Original and Modified folders? Will iPhoto read that correctly?
I tried to open the old library from the external disk, thinking to export them all to a folder and import from there, but that just opened my new library and none of the old photos were imported or available.
I'm running out of ideas and would appreciate any help you guys can give. Thanks!!

You don't import it.
Just drag the iphoto Library from the external to the Pictures Folder.
Then open it:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
Never import one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.

I tried transferring my iphoto library from my old macbook onto my new macbook pro (via external hard drive), but when i open the new iphoto, it seems to have transferred ALL images ever used on my old macbook. so i tried to just del

i tried transferring my iphoto library from my old macbook onto my new macbook pro (via external hard drive), but when i open the new iphoto, it seems to have transferred ALL images ever used on my old macbook. so i tried to just delete all those images so i could try a different approach to transferring, but the new iphoto won't let me do anything and every time i try to delete anything it crashes (since the image amount is so high). please help!!
MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), iphoto '11, version 9.4.2

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.

HELP NEEDED! iphoto library from version '08 to '11?

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