How do I rename pictures imported into iPhoto from PC?

Question

I have imported all my pictures from my PC hard drive to my (handed down) MAC. Then I did something wrong and had to 'rebuild' my photo library. That is fixed now and I have, folder by folder, imported the pictures from the MAC HD 'picture' folder into iphoto. In the iphoto 'library' there are duplicates, and even triplicates of files. I have gone through the iphoto library and 'moved to trash' (in iphoto, not the computer's trash) the copies I do not want. Will this mess up anything? I haven't 'emptied' the trash, just in case.
Now I want to rename the files in each folder. For ex, all the files in the folder 'budapest' I want to name 'budapest'(as opposed to DS122345 for example). Is this possible? Will it change the file name in the library also? Or only in the specific folder?

Answer 1

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Don't change anything in the iPhoto Library Folder via the Finder or any other application. iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
You can add a title to the photos in iPhoto, but there is no way to rename a file in iPhoto. What you can do is export the file - (Share -> Export) and use the Title as filename. It's an option on the Export dialogue.
Filenames mean nothing in iPhoto. They simply don't matter. The key to using the app is to remember that you do all your work in the iPhoto Window and don't access the files in the iPhoto Library Folder ever.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
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*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a 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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
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.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
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.
Regards
TD