Import to iPhoto Library created duplicate folders and pics?!

I imported all my pics from hard drives into iPhoto Library and now have duplicates of each folder with pictures. How can I quickly clean this up; i.e., 64'000+ pics.

This is where I see it.
I have the pictures already reduced down from 64'000 to 52'000.
From the picture you can see three (3x) "New Folder (17)".........AaargggHHH!
Also, you will see excact duplicates for "Abigail", "New Folder (16)" and "20090915".
I spent 2 days to get it reduced to this point and have only covered 1/8th of the library......(more Aaaarggghhh!!!)

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Can some please provide instructions on how to import an iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Mac without getting a bunch of duplicates? I tried transferring my pictures using an external hard drive and then copying it to the Pictures folder on my Mac

Can someone please provide instructions on how to import an iPhoto library from an old Mac to a new Mac without getting a bunch of duplicates? I tried transferring my pictures using an external hard drive and then copying it to the Pictures folder on my new Mac. I ended up getting a bunch of duplicates. My old Mac has an older version of iPhoto while the new Mac has iPhoto '11. Is that the cause of the problem? Please advise. Thanks.

Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Regards
TD

How do I import an iPhoto Library (V.7.1.5) created on my old MacBook (10. 6.8) into my new Macbook pro (10.9.1) running iPhoto 9.5.1? I tried copying onto memory stick and moving to new mac, but new iPhoto doesn't recognise the library.

How do I import an iPhoto Library (V.7.1.5) created on my old MacBook (10. 6.8) into my new Macbook pro (10.9.1) running iPhoto 9.5.1? I tried copying onto memory stick and moving to new mac, but new iPhoto doesn't recognise the library.

So what exactly did you copy over? If it's a 12 gig iPhoto Library then it sounds like the files are there. Perhaps the copy went wrong along the way.
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. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places 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

All my photos have been imported to iPhoto library. Is it safe therefore to delete all photos in the Finder pictures folder? It seems crazy to have them duplicated (all are backed up externally). And are they full size images in iPhoto?

All my photos have been imported to iPhoto library. Is it safe therefore to delete all photos in the finder picture folder? It seems crazy to have them dupllcated ( all are backed up anyway). And are they the full sized images stored in iPhoto?

Assuming you have iPhoto set to the Default setting, then yes, your full sized photos are copied into the iPhoto Library and so you can delete your own stored in the Finder.
Easiest way to check: Select a photo in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder Window should open with the file selected. Is it stored within the iPhoto Library? You can tell easily in the Finder's column view.
As an FYI:
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: 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.
(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:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. 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 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
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.
Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: 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. 3.b.
b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

Importing my iPhoto library into Aperture. Best way to avoid duplicates?

Hi,
I'm a new Mac user. I have been in the very slow and tedious process of transferring my photos from my HP hard drive to my Mac. I used iPhoto for a very brief time before purchasing Aperture 3. (I've used photoshop for years.) I haven't yet Imported or consolidated or whatever the correct term would be the iPhoto library into the Aperture library. I've been avoiding it because I know there are some duplicates. Mainly just a few "Events" from the last few weeks before starting using Aperture. Now with the new update, it seems like it's a great time to get it all consolidated into an Aperture library that I can use in both iPhoto and Aperture. What's the easiest way for me to proceed? I'm sorry for my lack of proper Mac terms....I'm learning!
Thanks so much for your help!
Christy

Clear as mud??
If you want to see all your images - those now in your Aperture Library and those in your iPhoto Library- then you need to merge both Libraries into one Library - I'd import your iPhoto Library into the Aperture Library.
This combined Library will be compatible with both Applications.
To merge your iPhoto Library into the Aperture Library do the following:
Make a backup of your current iPhoto library (libraries)
Upgrade to iPhoto 9.3, if you have not already done so.
Open your iPhoto Library at least once in Photo 9.3 to upgrade the Library.
Unhide all hidden images. You cannot unhide them when viewing the Library in Aperture.
Quit iPhoto.
If you have not already upgraded to Aperture 3.3, do it like this:
Backup your current Aperture library.
Rebuild the Aperture Database using the Aperture Library First Aid Tools: Launch Aperture with the cmd-options-key combination (⌘⌥) firmly held down, then select "Rebuild Database".
After rebuilding upgrade to Aperture 3.3 and launch Aperture to upgrade the Aperture Library.
With Aperture still open, double click your iPhoto Library. Aperture will prompt you, if you want to add or merge your iPhoto Library - choose "Merge". This will avoid importing duplicate images, as far as Aperture can tell that those are the same images - same filename.
You will have to weed out some duplicates yourself - this is best be done by sorting the images by capture date, then duplicate shots will appear side by side.
Post back, if you have more questions.
Regards
Léonie

How long to import an iPhoto Library? What settings....? Arrrrgh!!

I have now been importing (leaving images in the iPhoto Library) for over 4 hours now.
My iPhoto Lib is 240Gb with 45k photos and an hour or so of Video. I am running an iMac i7 with latest OSx and 4 Gb RAM
Aperture is 'grinding' away and has consumed the available RAM and a lot of the processor.
With this process running the system is almost unusable and at times freezes. I have found that Time Machine (which kicks in every hour) causes a massive lock where the two processes seem to be competing over the same patch of land... Turning this off has helped.
Initially I tried an import "to 'Pictures' " which I left running overnight, however the system settings sent the machine to sleep before it was finished and I had to force quit on resuming this morning. I then tried to 'resume' the import selecting "No Duplicates" however the import was starting from scratch again. This may have only been events/projects but it was simply taking for ever.
An initial import of a folder from "iPhoto Browser" view did not pull through the GPS or faces or other project data - so I decided a full import was required.
My end goal is to work out the best setup of the different import options for me.
What's better and what are the pro's 'n' con's of loading images into the Aperture Library or leaving in the iPhoto Lib? What about in folders in 'My Pictures"?
After reading through some of these forums I have noted that there are a few of the "consumer" functions which Aperture does not have I will still want to use the card/calendar features of iPhoto - what might be the best setup for me?
It's a bit confusing when looking to transition from iPhoto...... I've tried reading through the support pages and watched the How To vids - but I cannot find a Why do it this way or that way....?
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
qBall

So - after a lot of playing around this is what I have sorted out.
Aperture is pretty awsome
Cannot possibly go back to iPhoto now....
....but will still need iPhoto for some of the 'Grandparent' stuff like cards and calendars!
On the setup/installation side when importing from iPhoto, depending on library size - expect this to take a significant amount of time.
Turn off TimeMachine
Disable 'sleep' in Energy Saver
Set import up and let it run overnight!
I have imported my entire iPhoto library both into Aperture and 'in place' to see what is the best way to make it work/run and performance etc.
Thinking that I would not want to duplicate a massive library file - I wanted to see if there was any performance or other like issues with either method, and if there was any siginificant space savings of doing either.
Here are some stats:
On file sizes:
iPhoto Library 230.36 GB
Aperture 'Leave in current location' Library 26.48 GB
Aperture 'In Aperture' Library 216.27 GB
On Time to import:
Aperture 'Leave in current location' Library 8+ hours (this was before i worked out to turn off timemachine)
Aperture 'In Aperture' Library - overnight..? It just worked this time!
On Opening Aperture: Average time taken until application is fully responsive
Aperture 'Leave in current location' Library -> 2m:35s
Aperture 'In Aperture' Library -> 1m:16s
On Exit with Update to previews: (obviously this has a lot to do with changes in your library)
Aperture 'Leave in current location' Library -> 7m:40s !!!!!
Aperture 'In Aperture' Library -> 2m
Using Aperture
I could not find much difference in creating slide shows, editing images or working with faces/locations etc once Aperture was loaded with either library. The big difference seems to be in the post processing of libraries once imported. With the 'In location' library this seemed to take 'days' as each time I opened this library I had massive lags and delays and became frustrated so went back to the 'In Aperture" library.
Now this processing is complete I also find the Application is running well and not completly hogging all the RAM/Processor available. I am now comfortably able to run Aperture, Web browser and another profile on the iMac without too many performance issues!
Still looking at how 'going back to iPhoto' using the Aperture library combinations might work - aaarrrrggggh - can I really be bothered ????
Summary
For me I am going to use the In Aperture setup. Performance is greater and the library size is smaller.
If looking to import a large iPhoto Library I suggest:
Turn off all background and other programs which could steal any processing power/RAM
Run it overnight
Import with the 'In Aperture' option
Be prepared for the 'post processing' and allow this to complete before you become concerned bout the performance

Elements Organizer 11.0 has no option to import my iPhoto library.

I have a MacBook 4,1, Mac OS 10.6.8, Photoshop Elements 11.0 and iPhoto 8.1 (iLife '09). Photoshop Elements Organizer 11.0 has no option anywhere to import my iPhoto library as described in the manual for Organizer 11. I've repaired my permissions, tried restarting multiple times and uninstalling and re-installing Photoshop Elements 11 and Organizer 11 with no luck. What am I doing wrong? Help!!!

If you have the latest version of both (iPhoto version 9.3 and Aperature 3.3) then you have no need to import the iPhoto library into Aperature as both iPhoto and Aperature can share the same library (so you do not duplicate your storage) -- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5260
LN

MY system folder, including hidden folders are littered with duplicate folders and files with the suffix (from old Mac) How do I remove them

I have a Macbook Pro running Leopard 10.5.8. I had a problem with my my operating system (my fault, I moved a file I shoudnt have) couldnt boot up but was able to boot up from a backup. I managed to repair my original system except now all the system folders, including hidden folders are littered with duplicate folders and files with the suffix (from old Mac). For the most part the dupes are an exact copy, but not always. I want to remove them to free up space and cant imagine duplicate folders in the /system/library are not hindering my computer. But I dont know where to start and am afraid of doing irreparable damage. Any ideas

pacull,
Use iCal>View>Show Notifications to choose what to do with the notification.

How do i import an iPhoto library from a time machine backup?

how do i import an iPhoto library from a time machine backup? I did a back up and i formatted my machine. How do i get iphoto to be the same?

This screenshot shows how to restore a library from Time Machine.
There is NO importing necessary. One should never import one library into another. Just restore it to your Pictures folder and launch iPhoto.
OT

Can't import an iPhoto library into Aperture

I'm using Aperture 1.5.2 and iPhoto 6.0.6 and cannot get Aperture to import my iPhoto library. I am following the procedure in the Aperture User Manual (p. 112) but it doesn't work. I don't get a beach-ball cursor or anything... no images, no disk activity, etc. This is regardless of the “Store Files:” or “Version Names:” or other settings in the dialog box.
I saw the Apple Support doc entitled “Aperture can't import iPhoto Library from iPhoto 6.0.1 or 6.0.2” which promises a fix in Aperture 1.1. Is this still the same problem? Or is it a different problem?
I know I can drag the photos from iPhoto into Aperture, but keywords are not preserved. Any suggestions?
PowerBook Al 15 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I recently started using Aperture 1.5.2 and imported my iPhoto Library from iPhoto 6.0.6, so it's not an impossible task. I also had a lot of trouble with it. I can say it was a pain and there were several false starts and once it froze half-way through importing them. I did File -> Import... -> iPhoto Library and I left the files in their current location... but you said this was regardless of settings. I swear the thing just sat their for a good 20 minutes after I told it to import, although I can't recall if there was a spinning cursor or not. I'd get occasional errors about being unable to connect to server at the beginning (after it sat there for 20 minutes) and middle of the process. I just kept hitting Okay and if I had all other applications closed, Aperature finally did it. So... I guess that all amounts to: "I had problems, too, but after several tries it worked so maybe just keep trying and let it sit for awhile if no one else has a more helpful suggestion." Good luck!

How do I import an iPhoto library to an existing iPhoto library?

I have about 6-7GB of photos stored in iPhoto on an old MacBook. I want to import them to an existing iPhoto library on my wife's new iMac. What's the best way to do this without losing any data? I have an external USB HD, but I'm not sure the best way to move the files (ex: drop the iPhoto library icon into the new drive, etc).
Any recommendations?

The only way is to NOT import - Never import an iPhoto library into another iPhoto library
you move the library to the new machine - Connect the two Macs together (network, firewire target mode, etc) and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - launch iPhoto on the new mac and it will open the library and convert it as needed and you will be ready move forward.
LN

Viewing imported hidden iPhoto Library photos in Aperture

I recently downloaded the trial version of Aperture and imported my iPhoto library. When I did that, hidden photos/events (marked as hidden in iPhoto) were not visible in Aperture. There is a "place-holder" with the original iPhoto event names for the now Aperture projects, but no photos are visible and I can't find a way to unhide them.
I have since purchased and registered Aperture, but this problem persists. Does anyone know how I can make these hidden files visible in Aperture?

In the top right corner of the browser is a search box. By default it is set to show unrated or better images. If you click the triangle beside the magnifying glass you'll get a drop down. One of the choices is *Show All*. Select that . You're hidden images should appear.

Can I import my iPhoto Library from iPhoto 7.1.5 to iPhoto 9.5.1?

I'm trying to migrate from my old ('08) iMac to my newer MBP, but I cannot seem to successfully import my iPhoto library. The original version is 7.1.5 and the one on my MBP is 9.5.1. I have tried various techniques, mainly variations on copying the iPhoto library to USB drive and then moving to the Pictures folder on the MBP, but iPhoto refuses to import/recognise the library. It does not appear to be corrupt. Is it because the original library is incompatible with iPhoto 9.5.1, or is there some other way I could try?

but I cannot seem to successfully import my iPhoto library.
Never import one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.
What you need to do is open the Library - see Neil's link for the upgrade - and update it.

Migration to Photos: Trouble with import from iPhoto Library

I have just upgraded to OS X Yosemite (10.10.3). When I first opened Photos, it wanted to convert my iPhoto Library to Photos. After some hours of working with the 165.2 GB iPhoto Library, it told me that I don't have enough disk space. I believed that if I free my MacBook Pro from those 165.2 GB, I might solve the problem. So yesterday, I stored it on an external USB drive (a solid state drive of OWC with USB 3.0 connection to my MacBook), deleted the iPhoto Library on my harddisk, and opened Photos. In Photos, I chose Menu > File >Import , and navigated to the external drive. However, clicking the file icon and name does not release into any import. What shall I do to import data from my iPhotos Libray?
Suggestions will be most appreciated and rewarded with a virtual box of Mozart Kugeln.
Erik Thau-Knudsen

You don't import it, you simply open it:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch Photos. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'

I've imported an iPhoto library from a disc to my iPhoto 09 account, but I have to leave the disc in to view the pictures in full screen... Is there a way to import the files to my hard drive?

I've imported an iPhoto library from a disc to my iPhoto 09 account, but I have to leave the disc in to view the pictures in full screen... Is there a way to import the files to my hard drive?

I've imported an iPhoto library from a disc to my iPhoto 09 account,
What exactly did you do?
Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

Import to iPhoto Library created duplicate folders and pics?!

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