ICloud won't switch iPhoto libraries

I lost my previous iPhoto library in a hard drive crash. Since then I created a new library, but iPhoto refuses to connect with my iCloud account.
Whenever I try the dialoge box appears "iCloud Photos for ___ is being used with another library named “iPhoto Library. Switching iCloud Photos to this library will turn it off in “iPhoto Library”, every time I click continue, but then nothing happens. I have tried both from the iCloud section of iPhoto, and via the preferences menu.
This has not been fixed in several versions of iPhoto 11, or yesterday's new release either.
The obvious answer is to open the old library and turn off iCloud, but since that library was lost, it is no longer an option.
Any suggestions as to what I can do here?

You don't say whether you've restricted your search, or where you are searching. If you haven't renamed your iPhoto Library folder and it doesn't show up in a search, then it isn't there.
I'm not clear on what you mean by "imaginary version of external drive". Disconnect the drive, and there should be very little left to it's imagination. If iPhoto launches, then it's not looking for the iPhoto Library folder on the external drive -- nothing imaginary.
The destination to which a photo is exported has nothing to do with where iPhoto might have its library (real, or imagined). An "exported" photo is, by definition, not a part of your iPhoto library -- all you're doing is drawing conclusions from unrelated information.
Quit iPhoto if it's running, disconnect your external drive, and delete the "com.apple.iPhoto.plist" file from your user's Library >Preferences folder. If iPhoto starts without any unusual prompts, then it is (and likely, has been all along) using the iPhoto Library folder from your start-up drive's Pictures folder.

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Can't switch iPhoto Libraries to use external drive

I'm using iPhoto 4.0.3 on an old iBook G3, and I keep my photos on an external drive, but right now I can't access it, because my computer seems to have created its own imaginary version of the external drive, which I can't access. (I'll explain it better below.)
In other words, if I open iPhoto, there are photos there (165 of them, all fairly recent), but if I try to find an iPhoto Library on my hard drive, or any record of the photos in it, I come up empty. I must have accidentally imported photos when my external drive wasn't connected, but now I can't figure out where my computer actually put those photos, so that I can delete that iPhoto Library and go back to using the iPhoto Library on my external drive.
Here's what I've found so far:
If I open Finder and search for iPhoto, there is no iPhoto Library.
If I search for the name of one of the photos that's displayed in iPhoto, I get 0 results.
If I search for all files with the .jpg extension, none of the photos that's showing in iPhoto shows up.
If I create an album and put some photos in it, and then search for that album name, I get 0 results.
BUT, if I try to EXPORT a photo from iPhoto, I get some clue to where these photos are hiding - the default location to export photos to is XXX's Computer/Macintosh HD/Volumes/FANTOM/Pictures/iPhoto Library. That's the location of the iPhoto Library on my external drive.
Also, based on an answer to another forum question, I opened Libraries/Preferences/com.apple.iPhoto.plist in Text Edit and searched for key>RootDirectory, and the directory it gives there is /Volumes/FANTOM/Pictures/iPhoto Library. The only problem is, I've disconnected my external drive and restarted my computer, and iPhoto is still displaying 165 pictures in my photo library.
So it seems like my computer THINKS it's looking on my external drive, but actually it's looking at some 'volume' that's on the hard drive - and even when the external drive is connected, the only photos it shows are the ones in this volume, not the ones in my actual iPhoto Library. I want to be able to switch to my normal photo library, but the only way I can do that is if I figure out where this mystery photo library is located, and rename it. Does anybody know how to do this?
Thanks for your help.
iBook G3 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

You don't say whether you've restricted your search, or where you are searching. If you haven't renamed your iPhoto Library folder and it doesn't show up in a search, then it isn't there.
I'm not clear on what you mean by "imaginary version of external drive". Disconnect the drive, and there should be very little left to it's imagination. If iPhoto launches, then it's not looking for the iPhoto Library folder on the external drive -- nothing imaginary.
The destination to which a photo is exported has nothing to do with where iPhoto might have its library (real, or imagined). An "exported" photo is, by definition, not a part of your iPhoto library -- all you're doing is drawing conclusions from unrelated information.
Quit iPhoto if it's running, disconnect your external drive, and delete the "com.apple.iPhoto.plist" file from your user's Library >Preferences folder. If iPhoto starts without any unusual prompts, then it is (and likely, has been all along) using the iPhoto Library folder from your start-up drive's Pictures folder.

Switching iphoto libraries

hey, i searched the forum and couldnt find exactly what i was looking for so I figured i'd ask:
I somehow managed to have two copies of my iphoto library, and accidentaly loaded the version that was less up to date compared to the other. I have tried renaming and moving the "older" loaded library in order to get the message allowing me to relocate my library, but nothing works!
how do i switch library locations?!
thanks in advance!

Chip:
Move the older library to the dekstop and copy the newer iPhoto Library folder into your Pictures folder. Now launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and when it asks you to locate your library, navigate to the Pictures folder and select the library there. That should do it.

Uploading multiple iPhoto libraries to new iCloud Photos

I've used iPhoto for 10 years, and have multiple iPhoto libraries in order to manage the size and performance within iPhoto.
I'd love to try out the new beta of Photos, and keep everything in the cloud - but I'm unsure if I'll be able to upload all of the libraries to iCloud. Currently, iCloud / photo stream will only sync and work with one library. I also read somewhere that once you make the switch, you cannot access iPhoto again.
I'm just wanting some assurances that I can get all 4-5 photo libaries uploaded with no issues. Thanks.

I also read somewhere that once you make the switch, you cannot access iPhoto again.
This, as of the current betas, is not true.
However, Photos will only work with one Library in the Cloud. So if you want to upload them all then you'll need to merge them into one first.
If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager
Remember this is beta software. It may change so be sure to have a solid up-to-date back up.

Switching between 2 iphoto libraries...

I went to the genius bar & they made me 2 iphoto libraries so I could keep my new and old photos separate and it was meant to be quite simple to be able to switch between the 2 but I don't know how! Can anyone help?

all sorted now!

How do I store all iPhoto libraries on the iCloud?

I believe I can save my photos to the iCloud in case of disaster. How do I store ALL of my iPhoto libraries/events/photos on the iCloud? It doesn't appear there are there when I look at iCloud.com.
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iCloud Photo Library (Beta) is not yet available on the Mac, only for mobile devices with iOS 8. It will be supported on the Mac, when the Photos.app for mac will be released, probably sometime in spring this year.
See this link for what iCloud Photo Library will be able to to. iCloud Photo Library beta FAQ
But since you are making about a cloud backup - iCloud for the Mac is not meant as an off-site backup. It is meant as a central storage for the documents and data you are using and updating them on all your devices, when they change in iCloud. You will need to keep a local backup of your iCloud documents and data.

Why won't iTunes open other iPhoto Libraries?

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2) Turn on Home Sharing (CHECK!)
3) Click File > Home Sharing > Choose Photos... (CHECK!)
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So when I navigate to that folder in iTunes (choosing the "Choose Folder" option on the Home Sharing dialog), it shows the Libraries, but they are all grayed out and cannot be selected.
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I can choose my primary iPhoto Library on the iMac without issue. But it won't let me choose any other iPhoto Library.
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Moneytrain wrote:
There has to be some way to select another library besides the one I have on my iMac (which is generally empty)... Right?
Not via iTunes I'm afraid.
Apple expect users to do things in fairly simple/predictable ways and although they allow multiple libraries, you can't choose different ones via iTunes.
Is iPhoto currently configured to open teh empty library?
If so, what happens if you open iPhoto whilst holding the option (alt) key and set one of the external ones as default? Does that then get selected for iTunes sharing? I'd assume it would but have not tried this recently.

What is the difference between switching between Iphoto libraries.....

...using iphoto and iphoto08? I ask because right now I have iphoto (what ever the latest before 08) i have so many photos i had to add some libraries, which by the way was not easy. Then to switch between libraries i have to close iphoto hold options button and click on iphoto then it tells me to choose a libary. When i try to choose it does not show all of my libraries. I also don't think I can have mulitipal libraries open at the same time. With iphoto 08 can I have more than one open and is it easier to find libraries and switch between them? Please help. I have quit using my iphoto be cause i am so frusterated!

mel8502:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. As LH recommended the free version of iPhoto Library Manager will let you quickly and easily move between multiple libraries. I use iPLM to manage over 15 libraries and can move between them in a flash like this. Once you add a library to iPLM you can just use iPLM to open that library without having to go thru the Option key method and trying to remember where the library is located. Much faster with iPLM.
If you need to copy photos between libraries and keep the keywords and comments intact you can with the paid version of iPLM.
I do have one library that's 20,000+ photos in size and don't have any problems with it. However, you should have a backup plan for your libraries.
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.

Can I merge multiple iPhoto libraries in the new Photo's app. This was not possible in iPhoto but is possible in Aperture.

Now that iPhoto is 'Photos' on 10.10.3 is it possible to merge multiple iPhoto libraries. It is possible to this this in Aperture but not in iPhoto (I'm using 10.10.2 and can't upgrade until other software I use is qualified for 10.10.3). Here's the deal - I changed my drive to an SSD and backed up my old hard drive (which had the original iPhoto library on it. I did a clean install with my new drive so iPhoto created a new (blank) library. This upgrade was done a few months ago so now I have 2 different iPhoto libraries. Note that the newer library is connected to iCloud and if I was to 'Switch Libraries' it will delete my current photo stream. There is a way to do this manually - I could switch to the old library and locate the root folders in the 'newer library', move them to a new folder and import. This procedure is awkward and not my preferred route. So if there's anyone using the new 'Photos' app on 10.10.3 please let me know thanks!

To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

Multiple iPhoto libraries to manage photostreams in different ways

My wife and I both have iPhone's. I have a 5s and she a 5. We share an iCloud account so that all photos she takes and ones I take go into one photostream and then automatically get loaded on my iMac hard drive. This way we are sure to not lose any photos.
This works great for that purpose. However, I would like to create an iPhoto library that will only upload photos taken with my iPhone.
I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Is there a way to do this?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may offer.
Keith

I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Keith, the problem is, that only one iPhoto ibrary can be associated with the photo stream on any device, see e.g. http://documentation.apple.com/en/aperture/usermanual/index.html#chapter=14%26se ction=2%26tasks=true
Photo Stream is designed to work with one Aperture or iPhoto library at a time. However, it’s easy to switch the library Photo Stream uses to upload and download photos.
If you enable the photo stream in a different library, the photo stream will be removed from the earlier library. You would continually have to reanable the photo straem when switching between libraries, and each time the stream would be reset. This way, auto matic import will not work reliably, because the photo stream would only be seeing the current ly stored photos in iCloud.
Have you considered to use the Shared Photo Streams for specific purposes? I am using the Shared Photo Streams as thematic iCloud albums, for wildlife photos, family photos, etc.
iCloud: Using and troubleshooting Shared Photo Streams
-- Léonie

Queries related to maintaining multiple iphoto libraries

hi, I recently came across iphoto buddy, which allows you to manage more than one iphoto library. Great tool. However I have a few queries regarding it:
1. Is there a way to view consolidated version of 'faces' or 'places'? i.e. I now have to switch between my three libraries to view my photos or my wife's photos in the 'Faces' link.
2. Similarly, if i have to view all my pics that i have rated as four-star (as an example), then i can view them only one library at a time.
While i have made each iphoto library smaller and hence easy to open and light for my macbook to manage, i now dont have a single view of any thing. I have to search for things in three difference place. I shudder to think how i will manage this as i increase the number of iphoto libraries.
I have approx. 16000 pics totalling 70 GB in size, and iphoto 11 is visibly slow in opening, editing etc hence i went for multiple libraries.

iPhoto will work with 250,000 images.
No, iPhoto is not opening 70 gigs of data (and how could it, with 2 or 4 gigs of RAM?). When you open iPhoto it loads the database files, not the entire library of images, all their versions, caches, thumbnails and so on and so forth.
So, while the db file will be larger if you have 16k images than if you have 1k images, it's won't be 69 gigs bigger
Even this will impact on opening the Library, not using it.
Speed issues are compext to troubleshoot. How much free space on your Mac?
Rebuilding:
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

Two iPhoto libraries - combining

I have looked at the previous discussions on merging (not a good idea, apparently) two iPhoto libraries and wonder if this would work. I have a new Macbook Pro and and old Macbook. My iPhoto library on the older machine outgrew the hard drive space and is stored on an external drive. I have started a new iPhoto library on the new Macbook and it only contains about 200 photos. There is room on the new Macbook to store the older library and this is my plan. I will copy the older iPhoto library to the new Macbook and then open the new iPhoto library and export the 200 photos to a folder on the desktop, then switch to the older library and import those from that file to the old library which then will become my current iPhoto library. Any flaws here? Thanks.

Thanks. I will look at iPhoto Library Manager. And for now, will just export the 200 photos as they have no editing or tagging done to them. Now I have to figure out how to copy my iPhoto Library from one external hard drive (that runs through a hub) to another (that won't run through a hub.) (The hub is a powered one, but works with one WD drive, but not the other.)

Have THREE iPhoto Libraries...How can I combine them? Plus most ALIASES!

I have read some of the forum topics that I hope can help me. I have iPhoto 2 and when I messed up my iBook OS 10.2.8, I lost the iPhoto ( about 2K pictures :-()
Now i have the 'puter back but still missing the iPhoto. I have found Three(3) iPhoto Libraries with "Find"...all are just labeled "iPhoto Library".NONE have numbers after the iPhoto Library...each has a different amount of "items" listed as being in the folder. 156 items, 126 items, and 30 items . ALL have photos NOT in the other Library folders.
All three have different pathways:
156 items:(user name)/Desktop 2/iPhoto folder-12/07**/iPhoto Library;
127 items:(user name)/Desttop 2/iPoto folder1/26/08**all alias/ iPhoto Library;
30 items: (user name)/Pictures 2/iPhoto 2/iPhoto Library.
My question is:
1. Is there a simple way to combine these so I have ONE iPhoto Library with ALL the photos in it???
2. Most, not all, of the photos are "Aliases" but I can see the photos in "Preview"..but can't move them into an iPhoto blank folder.
I gather I need to solve the "Alias" problem FIRST? right?I need to match the "Aliases" with their originals...
Then hopefully move photos into the largest iPhoto Library with the 156 items in it. Is there a simple way to do this???

OK...so I now have the MAJOR iPhoto Lib. I thought I'd lost (thanks to all your help steerin' me in the right direction).:-)
I want to get the photos FROM the other two smaller Libraries and switch them to the BIG Lib. I now have....Is there a KB that will tell me how to do that...without having to move the BIG Library I have retrieved???
Like, can I move the smaller Lib.s to the desktop and take out the photos by dragging them into the BIG iPhoto Lib.?...as there are many duplicates in the two smaller Lib.s that I don't need to add to the BIG iPhoto Library.
The iPhoto Help " Switching between photo libraries"sez
"1. Quit iPhoto;
2. Rename your current Photo Library folder in the Finder or move it to a new location on your HD.;
3 Open iPhoto;
4 Click Find Library;
5.Choose the library you want to display.;
6. Click open.
The library appears in the iPhoto viewing area."
I DO NOT want to switch between lib.s, I want to MOVE photos FROM the smaller lib.s to the BIG iPhoto Library, so I will have only ONE iPhoto Lib. to deal with.Consolidation NOT switching....
Am I making sense here?????

ICloud won't switch iPhoto libraries

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