HT1229 How to move iPhoto Library to a NAS backup?

Question

How do I move iPhoto Library, which is now stored on a separate backup hard drive, to a new LaCie 2Big NAS backup? My iPhoto library is large, 73GB, and I have kept it on a separate 250GB backup up hard drive connected directly to my iMac; the iPhoto Library is not in my Pictures folders, as is usual. The 250GB is full, and I now want to store the iPhoto Library on a new LaCie 2Big NAS backup hard drive.
I assume I could move the Library back to Pictures folder on the iMac, so that the Library is stored on my iMac, and then it would be backed up on LaCie, but I would rather not take up all that space on the iMac. How do I store it on the LaCie? Usually to move iPhoto Library, you locate it, and then drag to new location. The LaCie does appear in my Finder. Should I drag and drop it?
I asked LaCie support, and they said the following:
If you do intend to place data on the share that needs to be accessed directly by an application on your computer (such as iTunes or iPhoto), however, then you might want to check with support for the software application itself for advice on the best way to accomplish this. It is important that such an application is able to locate the files once you relocate them to the NAS drive, or else the program will not function properly.
I want to access the Library through iPhoto. The LaCie is not connected directly to iMac, but instead connected via ethernet to my Airport Extreme.
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Armando

Answer 1

I experienced the same frustration when i bought my Iomega NAS (which I do not recommed by the way).
I wanted my iPhoto library to be stored on it, thats the main reason i bought it.
But as you have discovered the library connot be stored on a non Mac formatted disc.
So I began to store my photos in a logical folder structure (based on events) on the NAS and access that folder structure from some other software (Adobe bridge).
The PC users in my household could therefore also access this folder stucture and view all the photos. Bonus.
I wasn't satisfied though. I wanted to use iPhoto. Location, Faces, Events, simple editing, etc.
So I created a new iPhoto library on my Mac and then went to iPhoto preferences / Advanced and UNTICKED the 'Copy items to the iPhoto Library'. This creates what I think is called a reference library. This kind of library has some pros and cons but for me it is all pros.
Then simply drag your file structure from your nas into iPhoto and voila. All your photos and any home movies are added to iPhoto but accessed from the NAS.
I continue to add new photos into the event based file structure on the NAS and then drag the new folder across to iPhoto.
This also has the added benifit in that you don't need iPhoto to view the photos (PC users)
This method works perfectly for me. Enabling me to use iPhoto AND my NAS.
Hope this helps.