Hugely Bloated iPhoto Library

The Hard disk on my iMac crashed recently but I wasn't too worried as my iPhoto library was on an external drive. I got a new iMac and went through the process to transfer the entire library from the external drive to the new iMac. The end result is that (1) a lot of photos never seem to have made the transfer and (2) the iPhoto library has doubled in size! I am not at all sure what has happened. I then used iPhoto Library Manager to try to synch that library with the identical one on my MacBook, but no joy.
I have had to transfer missing photos manually which of course is making iPhoto bigger and bigger. It is now over 400G. Is there a possibility that there are several sets of duplicates in there that are not showing up? So, would it be worth my while to try Duplicate Annihilator?
Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi. I'll try to answer your questions adequately.
I did transfer the library properly, as you describe.
The library which is on my MacBook (and therefore should be identical) has about 47,000 photos and is 164G in size. The library on my iMac lays claim to only 35,583 photos and says it's 146GB. But if I click info on the iPhoto library icon (which is on my desktop), it says it's 440.63GB. So, what on earth is the reamining ±300GB?
Even more bizarre is that when I open iPhoto and click on Photos, the bar at the top says 71,521 items. but if I click on info, it tells me there are 35,583 photos.
I have indeed empted the trash except that it claims that there are still more than 790 photos in there, which do not show and cannot be emptied.
If I hold the option key and launch what was the original library on my external drive, it comes up as having 45,872 items, but only 10,0023 photos for 34.8GB, although the info on the library file yields 297.96GB.
I really have no idea what is going on. The only library that seems to be working normally is the one on my MacBook (that runs Snow Leopard).
Thanks in advance for any help!

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Bloated iphoto library file causing slow performance

My iPhoto 6 library contains about 20,000 photos and the library6.iphoto file is 488MB. I find EVERYTHING about iPhoto seems extremely slow -- launching, editing and quitting. From what I've read, the library size is the key factor in iPhoto speed. (I've followed the other tips in this forum, such as viewing by rolls and turning off all but the current roll, turning off outline and shadow, viewing standard size thumbnails, etc. but it's still very slow.)
Does that library6.iphoto file size seem right for just 20,000 photos, or is there a problem there?
I only have about 55 albums and four slideshows. I rebuilt the database twice and it had no effect. I even rebuilt all the thumbnails, which also had no noticeable effect.
I should mention that most of my photos were taken with a Pentax Optio S4, which I understand used to have a problem with excess EXIF data in iPhoto. But I've also read that iPhoto 6 cleared up that problem, so I assume that's not causing my current grief.
Can anybody help???

Tim:
I can't say for sure about the database file as I don't have a library anywhere that size. It's the most important file of the library as it contains ALL of the photo, album, slideshow, keyword, editing, book, etc. information.
How much RAM and free space do you have? Do you have at least 10GB free space? To check out the EXIF issue (it shouldn't be one with iPhoto 6.0.4) you can create a test library and import about 500 files into it and check the database file's size. I have a library of 686 photos with a database file size of 1.4 MB. I don't have a lot of albums, slideshows, etc. about 4 total.
If all else fails you could try rebuilding the library with iPhoto Library Manager. It creates a new library and creates new database files and copies the files and thumbnails it needs to complete the library. You're original library will be untouched. iPLM often succeeds where the iPhoto method does not. Might be worth a try. Here's how:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
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
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos. One user reported that with a library of about 5,000 images it took about 2-3 hours so plan ahead.In your case you might want to plan a weekend trip while it's working away.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto 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 written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Bloat in iMovie (iPhoto Library & Events)

I'm trying to get rid of the memory and hard drive bloat in iMovie to hopefully get it running faster.
1) What is the point of having the iPhoto Library connected to iMovie? It seems like iMovie loads the entire thing which seems like an insane amount of waste. I'm NEVER going to use anything in iPhoto except once in a blue moon. Can this be gotten rid of?
2) I always delete everything from "projects" and all the clips I can see when I'm done exporting so there isn't loads of bloat in the next project. However, when I click on "All Events" there is one event sitting there with like 25Gigs of crap in it. I can't open it or do anything with it. It's just sitting there. What is this? How do I get rid of it?
Thanks!!!

Hi
I would set iPhoto to open a new empty photo library
- Start iPhoto and keep alt-key down during up-start - select to do a new library
Next time iMovie will start faster
Else a note I made for iDVD - but same goes for iMovie (most of it)
TO GET IT TO WORK SLIGHTLY FASTER
Minimum of 25Gb free space on Start-Up hard disk for SD-Video Quality and about 4 - 5 times more - if it is a HD-Project.
No other programs running in BackGround e.g. Energy-Saver
Don’t let HD spin down or be turned off (in Energy-Save)
Do not have more external devices connected as is of urgent need. Move hard disks that are not to be used to Trash - Or to be disconnected/turned off
Goto Spotlight and set the rest of them under Integrity (not to be scanned)
Set screen-saver to a folder without any photo
First - then make an active corner (up right for me) and set pointer to this
Secondly - turns on screen saver
Then - to show that it has nothing to show
No File Vault on - Important
NO - TimeMachine - during iMovie/iDVD work either ! IMPORTANT
Lot's of icons on DeskTop/Finder also slows down the Mac noticeably
if a project is in a real hurry
First - Then Start a new User-Account and
Then - log into this and iMovie get's faster too
And let Mac run on Mains - not just on battery
Yours Bengt W

"Referenced" iPhoto Library becoming bloated...?

Hello,
My iPhoto library is "referenced" (ie. iPhoto does not copy the images when importing) to my RAW image library which is manually organized outside the iPhoto library. I do zero edits, etc. to the images within iPhoto (I do all editing via Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop).
At the same time, I've only just created a new iPhoto library (again, a referenced library) and have just completed importing 8+ gigs of shoots from this year (all RAW images). Again, I have done zero edits on these images and haven't even opened them in Adobe Camera RAW or Photoshop.
Yet, this referenced iPhoto library is now sitting on my HD at a size of 3GB. I understand it still stores the JPG previews in the iPhoto library, but 3GB? As well, when I open the library (via "Show Package Contents") I see a large number of "modified" images (as well as the original JPG previews and aliases to the linked images).
First off, any ideas why I have so many "modified" images when I haven't done any modifications? And second, any ideas why my library is 3GB in size when it's only a referenced library?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kristin.

Do you have auto-rotate on your cameras? If so, this is just a flag, the files are not rotated. However, on import, iPhoto sees the flag and reads it as an instruction to rotate the image, which it does - hence a modified version of the pic.
Solution? Rotate before importing or turn off auto-rotate on your cameras.
Regards
TD

IPhoto library size bloated by previews

I have worked through part of this issue in the iPhoto forum so now I just need a little clarity in the world of Aperture.
The issue was the old favourite - lack of HDD space on my retina MacBPro. I moved all the images to a referenced library - no issues there. But I found that the iPhoto library was still over 40GB. With help from the iPhoto forum I have found that the previews folder is the culprit.
I do not use iPhoto ever.
What I want to do is simply free up as much HDD space as I can. Do I really need the iPhoto previews if I am an Aperture user? Can I dispense with them and if so how?
Many thanks
Iain

Hi Léonie
Thanks for this. 37GB HDD space has been reclaimed!
A little extra research from your suggestion completed my revised workflow. I have not removed the new project previews option on the basis I work on the road with editing etc. SO in fact I keep the current project stored locally (not referenced) until edited etc. Then I'd manually delete the previews and update them to a lower sized image where required.
I have deleted all previews and updated those that are recent enough to warrant being able to share and sync.
How does that sound?
Thanks
Iain

How to make a backup of last week's iPhoto library from Time Machine

I'm sure this should be obvious to me, but rather than struggle for another hour I thought I would engage the brain trust here.
I'm using iPhoto 11 ver 9.4.2 and Mountain Lion 10.8.2 with MBP and Time Capsule.
Last week I added a zillion photos to my iPhoto library as I was combining the photos from several PC hard drives. Of course this gave me a 135G iPhoto library and a million duplicates. So over the holiday weekend I've been using PhotoSweeper (a truly fantastic product) to tune up the library into what I want it to be going forward.
But as I've been deleting all the duplicates, I've suddenly had the urge to save the original bloated library as sort of archaelogical record of every digital picture I ever had. So I want to go back via Time Machine, find the library as it was last week, and save the library to an external drive.
It looks to me like I'm going to need to "Restore" the old library to access it via Time Machine. And then export or save it to the archive hard drive. Right?
But how will I get back to my new, carefully culled iPhoto library? Will I just go back to Time Machine and "restore" the iPhoto library from today?
I don't want to make a big mistake here!
Also, why is my iPhoto library getting larger (now 150g) even though I have deleted (and emptied the iPhoto trash) thousands of photos?
Thanks for any help you can offer!

There have been mixed reviews on Photosweeper - I have not personally used it and recommend one of two known programs for duplicate identification -
Duplicate Annihalitor - http://brattoo.com/propaganda/ - or Decloner - http://www.pixelespressoapps.com/decloner/
The face that your library is getting larger not smaller indicates that something is amiss
As to TM questions for detailed answers the TM forum is best - basically you launch TM, go to the time you want, select the iPhoto library, click restore and when ask if you wnat to keep both say yes and place the newly restored library in the location of your choice
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427 for instructions on TM
LN

Thumbnails & originals--restored iPhoto Library

Awhile back, I had to reformat my hard drive and before doing so backed up my iPhoto library by copying the Library folder to a DVD. When I then imported the folder back to iPhoto I ended up with my Originals and Thumbprints in the Library along with the photos (so 3 of everything!). I know now that I should have used the burn button but how can I safely get my library back to normal?
Also, I recently rebuilt my library hoping this would help. Can I drag the old library to the trash and get rid of it? All these extra photos are really slowing things down. Thanks for you help!

Hi sharon,
If you copied the ENTIRE iPhoto Library to DVD then to restore that library is very simple. Drag that iPhoto Library folder from the DVD into the Pictures folder. Launch iPhoto and it will open the library. No import is needed.
So yes, you can drag that old library to the trash (making sure there are no new photos in it that aren't in the backup library) If there are new photos in that library that aren't in the backup, then first share/export those images to a new folder on the desktop. these images can be added to the library after you replace the bloated library with the backup library.

Backing up iPhoto Library to DVDs

Hello,
I'm planning to back up all my files and reinstall Leopard. However, I'm a little worried about backing up my iPhoto library (~22 GB). I don't have an external hard drive so burning to disc is the only way.
I want to retain _all my events and both original and modified photos_. Which method is right for me: using iPhoto's built-in Burn feature or manually copying sections of the iPhoto Library to DVD?
Thanks!

Chris:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Be sure you don't select much more than 4GB of photos as reported by iPhoto in the Information pane at the bottom of the left window in iPhoto to burn because iPhoto adds a lot of overhead, i.e. the modified and thumbnail files, and various database files that can bloat each burn. You don't want to get into the burn and get the not enough space message. You can see this
Since all of the disks that get created have the same disk name, keep a written record of the contents of each disk and number the disks with a pen so it will be easier to locate what you need.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto 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), 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 08 libraries 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.

Does changing iPhoto library "mess up" iWeb pages?

Can someone give me a short explanation of how iWeb stores its images on my computer, and how that relates, if at all, to iPhoto? Many of my iWeb pages are created from iPhoto albums. Now I would like to make some significant changes to my iPhoto library (divide it into two libraries, delete some images, etc). Willl that have any effect upon my iWeb pages on my computer that use those iPhoto images? Or, once imported to iWeb from iPhoto, are the images then part of iWeb independent of iPhoto? Thank you!

Bobio,
iWeb stores all of it's data in a file named Domain. This file, by default, is placed on your hard drive in this location. Once the iPhoto media is imported into iWeb, it is copied there and the iPhoto files are not affected by what iWeb does with the media. iWeb will actually store a copy of the original file from iPhoto--something to bear in mind if you are using large pic files. Your Domain file can become somewhat bloated if you are using a lot of large media.
So the short answer to your question is, yes, the iPhoto media becomes part of the iWeb file and you may do what you will with your iPhoto configuration without affecting it, and vice versa--changes to previously imported iPhoto media within iPhoto will not affect your pages.
Mark

How can I restore an iPhoto library from Time Machine (ML) - when I TM doesn't see the backup??

Hi,
I recently did a Time Machine backup of my MacBook Pro (Mountain Lion) onto an external HDD. Around the time of the last backup, my system was behaving funny so I decided to rebuild the OS X.
Because the last TM backup was of a system that as mentioned, was somewhat 'unstable', and I only had a few backups available (didn't have TM running too long beforehand) - I decided not to use TM to 'restore' my system. I just did a clean install of ML and planned on pulling files over manually. I'd done this before and it worked a treat.
This time ran into a snag. The backup disk TM used was an external HDD which I wanted to upgrade (suffice to say it works fine). So, I needed to move the backup.backupdb directory to my other HDD. The copy seemed to work fine ... so far so good.
I installed the new ML OS on my MacBook Pro and that was fine too. I was able to pull most of my files over by going into the TM backup and copying what I needed.
BUT, for some reason, this didn't work for the iPhoto library?
Alas, I found that you need to do a 'restore' iPhoto library file from whithin TM. So I fired up TM and noticed that it didn't recognise the old backup file located on the HDD. I.e. when I turned on TM, pointed it to the external HDD (where I copied the previous backup to), it started a fresh backup.
So ... my question is - "How do I restore the iPhoto library if I can't get to it from TM?"
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help! The last 15 years of photos are stored in this library!

Hi ...
I've found a solution to my problem.
Time Machine locates extenal HDD backups differently depending if they were done via a network or via a USB/FireWire/Thunderbolt connection.
My initial backup was done via a direct Thunderbolt connection. I ran into the above issue b/c the second time when I tried looking for the backup file the HDD was conencted to my iMac and I was accessing it via a network conenction.
I simply connected the drive directly to my MacBook pro and ... voila. I was able to see the backup, select the iPhoto library and begin the restore.
Hope this helps.
BTW - I found this out by reading the 'blue box' selection on this page: http://pondini.org/TM/E2.html
(Thanks goes to Pondini!)

How can I delete repeats in my iPhoto library without going one at a time?

I have been trying to clean up my iphoto library, and find that many of my imports have been repeated in different places. Is there a way to clean out repeat photos so there aren't so many of the same ones without having to do so one at a time?

You can use any one of these applications to identify and remove duplicate photos from an iPhoto Library:
iPhoto Library Manager - $29.95
Duplicate Cleaner for iPhoto - free - was able to recognize the duplicated HDR and normal files from an iPhone shooting in HDR.
Duplicate Annihilator - $7.95 - only app able to detect duplicate thumbnail files or faces files when an iPhoto 8 or earlier library has been imported into another.
PhotoSweeper - $9.95 - This app can search by comparing the image's bitmaps or histograms thus finding duplicates with different file names and dates.
PhotoDedupo - $4.99 (App Store) - this app has a "similar" search feature which is like PhotoSweeper's bitmap comparison. It found all duplicates.
DeCloner - $19.95 - can find dupicates in iPhoto Libraries or in folders on the HD.
Some users have reported that PhotoSweeper did the best in finding all of the dups in their library: i photo has duplicated many photos, how...: Apple Support Communities.
If you have an iPhone and have it set to keep the normal photo when shooting HDR photos the two image files that are created will be duplicates in a manner of speaking (same image) but the only diplicate finder app that detected the iPhone HDR and normal photos as being duplicates was PhotoSweeper. None of the other apps detected those two files as being duplicates as they look for file name as well as other attributes and the two files from the iPhone have diffferent file names.
iPLM, however, is the best all around iPhoto utility as it can do so much more than just find duplicates. IMO it's a must have tool if using iPhoto.
OT

How Can I Display the Name of iPhoto Library?

I manage a huge number of images so I keeep them in their own iPhoto libraries. In order to change libraries, I have to rename the one I have just left and then restart iPhoto. I have looked for years but cannot find a way for iPhoto to display the name of the library it has open. I could remember the names of all my libraries if I was not forced to change them in order to leave them and go to another. Does iPhoto tell you the name of the library you have open?
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Hi John,
iPhoto 6 now shows the name of the library in the title bar of the iPhoto window. At least it did the other day for me.
You can have a unique name for each of your libraries and use the Option key to launch iPhoto and choose to open another library, then navigate to the library, highlight it and click open.
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iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.
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How can I use one external hard drive for both Time Machine and iPhoto Library?

I have been using a 1 TG LaCie external hard drive for Time Machine backups. My (older) Mac has 160 GB and is almost full. I would like to move my iPhoto Library to the external hard drive, but I've heard Time Machine doesn't share one space well. Should I
1. create another partition (but will this erase what I've already saved) with Disk Utility? *I am running Snow Leopard*
2. create another volume to use for iPhoto, and if so, should the two volumes be of equal size?
3. leave it with one partition and move the iPhoto Library to the same partition with Time Machine back ups?
I know I don't need the entire 1 TG for back up of 160 GBs. Please advise the best path to take. Thank you!

You are getting incorrect information from your ASP. If you look at drive specifications the heat generated is no different for high vs low capacity drives.
I have upgraded the internal drive in my iMac 2007 with a 3TB Hitachi drive without any heat issues or other problems.
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How can I export a project (a book) from one iPhoto library to another?

I have a photo book in an iPhoto library that was on a laptop. I'd like to export it from that library and import it into my iPhoto library on my iMac. Is there any way to do that? Thanks!

No
Books do not exist. They are just database entries. So you must move the entire database (the iPhoto library by default) to move a book. You can make a smaller database by duplicating the current one and deleting everything except the book and it's photos. You can make and save a PDF of a book
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How do I use one iPhoto library on multiple computers?

I have a laptop and my wife has a laptop...how do we share one commone iPhoto library? How would that work with syncing our iPhones?
I'm thinking we should get a shared network drive at home...but then our photos would not be available when we're not home - right?

The only way to do what you want is to put the Library on a USB/Thunderbolt disk and plug it into each Mac as required.
I'm thinking we should get a shared network drive at home
You can't put iPhoto on an Network location.

Hugely Bloated iPhoto Library

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