How do I clean up my IPhoto Library?

I have over 100,000 photos in my IPhoto Library and with Faces it is totally un manageble. I have perhaps 20% duplicates that I would like to clean up. I have about 325 different faces recognized.
Now my IPhoto seems to be in a permanent loop. Not sure exactly how to start to clean up this mess. I have been using a Mac for about a year and am still not very conversant with Apple vocabulary.
Love the tools available on the mac, but need to learn to use it appropriately. Have installed Aperature, but it is so slow that I almost never use it. Now IPhoto is getting to be the same.
Somehow I need to start over and either divide up my photos into different libraries by time or something to make them manageable.
Please help me!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
You can search iPhoto for duplicates using Duplicate Annihilator
You can use iPhoto Library Manager to split a large library into smaller ones. Note at this time there is no way to move faces and places data. However the next version of iPhoto Library Manager (currently in beta) will have this ability. It might be worth waiting a few days.
Noting your comment on the speed of Aperture as well: the largest impact on speed comes from too little RAM and too little HD space. How much of each do you have? Particularly how much Free Space on the HD.
Regards
TD

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Cleaning up my iPhoto Library

   I am having difficulty cleaning up my iPhoto Library before I switch to Aperture. In particular:
    1. How do I process the multitude of monthly photostream events (i.e. "October 2013 Photostream") so that I can maintain the original photos in events that better describe them, e.g moving family photos to an event called "Family" (which I will later divide into appropriate "albums"?
     2. It appears that I have many duplicates in my library. Am I safe in using a program such as "Duplicate Annihilator" to remove the duplicates to "Trash"?
TIA

You may have a damaged database file. To rebuild the library launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions. Select the first three options. It will be recreated when you next launch iPhoto and you'll have to reset the preferences as you had them before.
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.

How can I back up the iPhoto library when iPhoto won't open and I can't simply copy the iPhoto library packet because "some of the data in the packet cannot be read from or written to"?

How can I back up the iPhoto library when iPhoto won't open and I can't simply copy the iPhoto library packet because "some of the data canny be read from or written to"?

Regarding not being able to open iPhoto. As a test launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Were you able to create a new library?
If so then your current library is damaged and needs to be repaired.
Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Since only one option can be run at a time start
with Option #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

How do I delete photos in Iphoto library that have not been imported?

How do I delete photos in Iphoto library that have not been imported?

How did they get there and how do you know that they are there?
If they were not imported and iPhoto is not aware of them then you can be sure your current backup is up to date and tested, quit iPhoto and drag them to the finder trash - But be very careful because if you trash any items that iPhoto knows about you will corrupt your library
Before you empty the trash, launch iPhoto again and be sure everything is working correctly
It is recommended that you never modify the iPhoto library using anything except iPhoto or iPhoto aware programs like iPhoto Library Manager including adding, modifying or deleting items, files or folders within the iPhoto library
Your current case may be one of the very unusual exceptions to this - if they were put there without iPhoto's knowledge
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

How do I re-download my iphoto library if I can no longer find iphoto on my desktop or in my finder without loosing all of my photos?

How do I re-download my iphoto library if I can no longer find iphoto on my desktop or in my finder without loosing all of my photos?

How did you install it in the first place? If it came with your Mac, and the Mac didn't come with Lion installed, then reinstall iLife from the Applications disc that was in the box. If you no longer have that disc, you'll have to order a replacement from Apple customer service. Either that, or restore the iPhoto application from your backups.
If you got iPhoto from the App Store, you can download it again by launching the App Store application.

How do I clean my cache in Library?

How do I clean the cach in Library?

Use a utility such as AppleJack or Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner - MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.

How can I import photos from iPhoto-library to edit in Photoshop CC? - and save it back to the iPhoto-library?

How can I import photos from iPhoto-library to edit in Photoshop CC? - and save it back to the iPhoto-library?

How to access iPhoto images for use in Photoshop
1. In the Finder, navigate to Users > [user name} > Pictures > iPhoto Library.
2. Control-click the iPhoto Library file and choose Show Package Contents.
3. A Finder window opens that shows the contents. The Masters folder (or called Originals folder) contains all of the photographs that are in iPhoto.
Photoshop cannot access this folder, but if you make a duplicate of the folder, the dupe will be accessible -- so:
4. Control-click the folder named Masters (or Originals) and choose Duplicate.
5, Drag the duplicate folder which is named "Masters copy" or “Originals copy” from the iPhoto Library Finder window to the Desktop.
6. Open images in Photoshop from file on desktop.
7 Rename the folder and move it elsewhere (probably to the Pictures folder), if desired.

How do i get photos from iphoto library over to photoshop elements for editing?

how do i get photos from iphoto library over to photoshop elements 10 for editing?
this is an iMac that I just got so its all new to me...
thank you

If you set PSE as external editor, be sure you pick the right file, which is not by any means the logical choice. You want this one:
You can also export the photos from iphoto, edit them and save them under new names and reimport the edited photos as new files. This is more trouble, but lets you save as many different versions of your image as you like (iphoto only remembers the last edited version + original).

How can I back up my iPhoto library to my MacBook?

How can I back up my iPhoto library to my MacBook?

backup all your data to an external hard drive. If your mac's hard drive crashes, anything not backed up to an external hard drive will most likely be lost.

HT1229 How do I move photos from iphoto library to my desktop

How do I move photos from iphoto library to my desktop

This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.

Hi, how do I back up my iPhoto library to Lightroom, so its also on an external hard drive, where is the Back up utility?

Hi, somehow I imported all of my iPhoto library into Lightroom, which is saved to an external hard drive, but now I cannot remember how I did that...and I am looking to update the additional photos i've put into iPhoto to Lightroom...
Thanks for any advice...Eric

As a mich more powerful app I think you'll find that Lightroom is also quite capable of "uploading, screening, and deleting unwanted photos."
The point about using both is that you have an overly complex workflow - and that leads to situations like the one you have now, where you can't recall the workflow you used.
Put another way, it's like wrting your novel part on Word and part in TextEdit. Which bit goes where? The best advice is to pick one horse and ride it.
Do don't "import photos to the Finder" you export them from iPhoto to the Finder. File -> Export....
On your Mac you have Time Machine as a back up application. There are also many, many others. Search on
MacUpdate
Regards
TD

How do i back up my iphoto library to time capsule?

I was told I can back up my iphoto's library to my time capsule but I'm not sure how to do this. Any help is appreciated.

If you've set up Time Machine to back up your computer to it and haven't moved the library off the internal drive, it's already been done.
If you've set up Time Machine to back up your computer to it and have moved the library off the internal drive, ensure the drive holding it isn't excluded in the Time Machine pane of System Preferences.
If you haven't set up Time Machine, either turn it on or drag the iPhoto library from the Pictures item of your home folder to the Time Capsule manually.
(77724)

How do I use an Older iPhoto Library with an Updated iPhoto application?

Hey Everyone! I seem to be stuck.
My MacBook Pro was running OS X Lion and I needed to reset the computer. When I was exporting the photos, it would stop and say it was not able to export the photos. So I just copied the actual file from the Pictures folder in my user and after wiping the hard drive and starting with a clean install, I downloaded again iPhoto, updated it to the newest update available, and dragged the file to the Photo folder. When opening iPhoto, a message appeared saying "You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Do you want to quit and use the latest version of iPhoto, or do you want to create a new photo library?"
What am I supposed to do?!?
PLEASE HELP!
Thanks
Matt

So I just copied the actual file from the Pictures folder in my user
By this do you mean you copied the iPhoto library (a package - not a file)?
updated it to the newest update available,
What version of iPhoto do you have now (the latest is version 9.4.2)? What version did you have?
One thing to try is Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library
LN

How can I move my old iPhoto library into a Referenced Library format and use that as my default?

Hi, I have been using iPhoto for photo management where all the jpegs have been living, in organized events by date and subject for some time. I recently upgraded to aperture and am using the same iPhoto library. The issue I have is that I use Carbonite for my cloud back up and I am able to look at the pictures I have on my PC with the same folder organization I have them on my PC hard drive. This is apparently not possible for iPhoto library. The only way to access a picture on the iPhoto library in the cloud is to go through the master and hope you can find the specific picture since they are not organized in a comprehensible manner (like events or folders) in there.
So the only solution I can think of is to move the current iPhoto library to a referenced image library and use that as my default library from now on. This way I get cloud access and the events will hopefully turn into folders with dates and subjects that I can continue to keep organized to satisfy my OCD tendencies.
So the question I have is that:
1. How can I make a reference Library for Aperture/iPhoto?
2. How do I move the current library to the Referenced Library in an Organized manner? My wish list would be a series of folders labeled with the date and the subject, like I have in my iPhoto library right now.
3. If there is any alternative, your suggestions and recommendations would be much appreciated.
My computer: Mac Mini (Mid 2012), Lion, 16GB RAM.
Thank you kindly,

Or is there a way to go through aperture to make a new reference library that I can move the masters into later?
you do not move the masters into a references library - you turn your current library into a referenced library. As Terence Devlin said:
File -> Relocate Masters
What you should set up:
Select a folder, where you want to store your referenced files - probably on an external drive.
Decide on a hierarchical folder structure inside this folder - that is completely up to you.
Select a project from your library and use the command "File -> Relocate Masters/Originals" to move the original image files to the folder where you want to go them to. Only take care not to send two projects to the same folder.
Alternatively, if you do not care about the folder structure Aperture will use, select all images at once from the "Photos" view and let Aperture decide how to assing the folders - in the "Relocate Originals" dialoge you can specify a subfolder format.
Regards
Léonie

How to transfer images from one iPhoto library to another.

Hi. I run my main iPhoto library on an EHD but I also have an iPhoto library on my MBP. I want to consolidate the two librarys and get rid of all the iamges on the MBP and just have them all on my EHD. My question is, what is the easiest way to transfer all the contents form my library on my MBP to my library on my EHD and will it copy across all my edited versions?
Many thanks in anticipation.....
Nathan

To merge two iPhoto libraries and to perserve all your edits, use the paid version of
iPhoto Library Manager
Or, if you have access to an Aperture installation, and your iPhoto version is iPhoto 9.3 or later, you can merge iPhoto Libraries in Aperture. Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
All other methods (exporting from one library and reimporting into the other) will not copy over your books, albums, etc.

How do I clean up my IPhoto Library?

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