How can I save space on Hard Drive? Lo-Res Previews like Aperture.

I have searched these forums and the internet but not found a solution as yet.
My problem is I have a MacBook Pro and the hard drive is getting full.
I want hi-res images on an external hard drive but have a lo-res preview on my hard drive so I am never without all my pictures. I think from memory Aperture dose this, but I like iphoto's simplicity. I don't want to have aperture installed as well as iphoto.
Hope this makes sense.

Let me reinforce Larry's concern about the "referenced" mode. All it takes is to have an interruption between iPhoto and the external HD while you are working in iPhoto and the library will lose the links between the alias files in the library and the source files on the external HD. It will be very difficult to relink all of the alias files when that happens. Maybe one event at a time but that's no assurance.
Also you will not be able to use the library without the external HD mounted if you have any movies in the library. It's best to have a separate library for movie files in that event.
One option would be to run your primary library from the external HD and have a smaller one with the most current or needed photos on the boot drive. You can copy events and albums between the two libraries with the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager while keeping keywords, comments and titles intact.
Another issue with the "referenced" library is the fact that if you delete a photo from the library you will have to locate and delete the source file from the external HD. Additionally you cannot rename or move any source files with the Finder or add new photos to an existing source folder and expect it to be automatically imported into iPhoto. It's best for each new source import to have its own folder.
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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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