Importing iPhoto `11 Library Lost Folders & Nested Albums

Been using iPhoto since its' inception. Currently at iPhoto `11. Had created many Albums and Smart Albums based on Keywords and had most of them organized into Folders in iPhoto.
Just bought Aperture 3 and, following the video tutorial provided by Apple, imported my 9,000+ iPhoto Library into it. However, only albums that resided at the top level in the sidebar of iPhoto made it into Aperture. All Folders and any Albums and Smart Albums that resided inside those Folders were not imported into Aperture.
I have verified that all photos contained within the missing Folders and Albums have made it into Aperture, just not the Folder and Album hierarchies I had created over the years.
Do I need to delete the Aperture Library and re-import the iPhoto Library again using other settings?

Thanks for the reply Terrence. I'm still a bit confused by some contradictory behavior of Aperture.
The Aperture Manual states (p.112):
+"The organization of your iPhoto images and albums is maintained as projects in the Projects panel."+
Well, not actually. Only EVENTS seem to be maintained as Projects when imported from iPhoto. My iPhoto library contains 1189 Events. Aperture now has 1185 Projects after the iPhoto import. But Projects does not contain any of the album organization that had been created in iPhoto.
The Aperture Manual further states (p.112):
"+You cannot import slideshows, books, and Smart Albums from your iPhoto Library."+
Well, actually, Aperture DID import 5 of my Smart Albums. But these were only the Smart Albums at the top level of iPhoto's sidebar. All other Smart Albums nested inside folders in iPhotos sidebar were not brought over.
So I'm confused.

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Both iPhoto & iTunes library lost/corrupted within two week of another..

So about two weeks ago, I opened iPhoto and all my pics were gone. Turns out that all my pics were still in there, but somehow the index file was damaged (?) so I've been dragging them all out into a new library slowly since I didn't trust my last backup. Today, I opened iTunes, and it started importing my iTunes library and after a while said it was not a valid library, relabeled it 'damaged' and so on. What could be up? I just replaced my hard drive 2 months ago. Any ideas?

These problems could be related, or maybe not.
Iphoto will have a damaged database if the app is interrupted while writing to the DB. This can be caused by a crash, a force quit. It can happen if the disk is formatted in any way except Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Or, it could indicate disk damage.
Regards
TD

IPhoto 6 will not import iPhoto 5 library

after installing iphoto 6 when I try to open it the upgrade process stops and says there is a problem with the iphoto 5 library. It suggests checking the read & write permissions - which I did. The iphoto 5 library is where it's suppose to be and looks fine. How do I get iphoto 6 to upgrade these photos, or how do I get past this dialogue so I can start iphoto 6 and import the photos from my originals? Thanks so much for any help with this.

Steven:
Welcome to the iView Forum. Give this a try:
Download and run BatChmod on the V4 library folder with the settings shown here, substituting you account name for mine.
G5 Dual Core 2GHz, 2G RAM, 22 Display, 250G HD, 200G FW HD, QT 7.0.4P Mac OS X (10.4.6) Canon S400, i850 & LIDE 50, Epson R200, 2G Nano

Importing Iphoto 6 library into Iphoto 7

I bought an Imac some months ago. Since then, I've tried to import my IPhoto library (IPhoto 6) to my new Imac Intel (IPhoto7, MacOs 10.5.2), but I have some difficulties with it.
Using an external HD, I copied my IPhoto library to an external HD and then copy it to my new Imac, replacing the old empty IPhoto library. But every times, some events are blank , and every time I open IPhoto7, more and more events are blank.
I have tried to import the library to IPhoto 7, but, then, the date are all mixed up.
I dont know what to do anymore.
Please, I need some help.

You do not import - the correct way is what it sounds like you did
Assuming that you have a good, working iPhoto 6 library that works with iPhoto 6, quit iPhoto '08 on your new Mac and drag the iPhoto library from the pictures folder to the trash (I'd suggest waiting to empty the trash although it sounds like your current library is not good)
Launch iPhoto and it will convert the library to the new iPhoto '08 format - if some events are blank then try rebuilding the library using iPhoto Library Manager
If this does not work trash the latest attempt and copy the iPhoto 6 library over again and rebuild it with iPhoto Library manager before you convert to iPhoto '08
Good Luck
LN

IPhoto 11 crashed - Lost an entire album

Hi,
I am using iPhoto 11 (version 9.4.3) on a macbook pro with retina display, OSX 10.8.3
iPhoto crashed as I was editing a photo, a message saying iPhoto crashed unexpectatly and asking if I wanted to submit a report to apple or restart came up, I pushed report to apple, it did not seem to submit anything. When I opened iPhoto again the album with my latest import was there but it was empty... This was also the album in which I had been editing several RAW photos. All my other albums are there, nothing else seems be missing. I have had it crash before when editing with RAW files but never have lost photos from the main library.
The photos still exist in the package contents, the RAW files in the original folder and the in the Preview all the JPEGs with color corrected effects. I manually went in to collect this files, to copy and put them some place else in my computer... My question is if there is a way to restore the library so that I don't have to duplicate files by importing photos again?
Thanks for any help in advance.
-m

My question is if there is a way to restore the library so that I don't have to duplicate files by importing photos again?
Couple of things:
1. You don't want to import those photos again to that database as you know it's damaged - either fix or replace it. Importing more before doing one or the other is asking for trouble further down the road.
2. Most simple and surefire fix: restore from your back up. This replaces the database with the one that existed before the problems caused in the crash
3. Some options for 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. 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 Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
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.
I pushed report to apple, it did not seem to submit anything.
This happens in the background.
Regards
TD

Importing iPhoto '09 library (8.1.2) into Aperture

I have two older macbooks (purchased in mid-2007 and mid-2009) running 10.6.8 Snow Leopard, and I have recently purchased a new iMac. I was told at the Mac store that I would be able to import my old iPhoto libraries into my new iMac if I purchased Aperture, which I just did (I wanted to merge the libraries, and not manage them separately in iPhoto). However, when I go to import the library in aperture, it tells me I can't, and that I need to upgrade the old library to iPhoto version 9.4 before it will let me import. This would require me to upgrade these older macbooks to Lion or Mountain Lion, which I don't want to do becuase I wasn't planning on using them much anymore (and the 2007 one probably couldn't handle it). So my question is - how can I get my pictures from iPhoto 8.1.2/iPhoto '09 into the latest version of Aperture? I mainly want to make sure I can transfer over my events/organization and ratings/tags on the photos. Each of these older libraries has about 10k pictures in them, and I'm trying to preserve the organzing work I've done on them over the years. Any suggestions?

Here's the thing: With iPhoto 9.4 and Aperture 3 you can use the same Library for both apps - there's no importing, just opening.
On your new iMac you will also have iPhoto 9.4 (or later), if you don't, run softwatre update.
So: Copy the Libraries from the older machines to the new iMac. Open them with iPhoto on it - that will upgrade the Libraries, and then open them in Aperture. Then you can merge them.
To move the Libraries from an older machine:
To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
1. Rename the Libraries on the old machines - iPhoto Library 1 and iPhoto Library 2. This will prevent them from overwriting each other when you move them to the new machine.
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
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.

IPhoto Primary library lost during LION Upgrade

Previously running Snow Leopard and had, for some insane reason, two different iPhoto libraries. Upgraded to LION today and only one of the iPhoto libraries is able to be found, and wouldn't you know, its the wrong one.
When upgrading to my new macbook Pro a year ago, from a powerbook g4, I transfered over my iPhoto data and was prompted for some reason to create a second iPhoto library. Now, as I've upgraded said macbook pro to Lion, I've lost the main library. Just hours ago, when I would open iPhoto in Snow Leopard, I had no issues at all? Any ideas as to where my old library is? Any way to downgrade now? And no, TM had not been used in 8 months for B/U. When Apple figures out how to easily select files/apps/folders to back up with TM, I'll use it.

Restore from the back up you made with one of the hundreds of other back up utilities that are not Time Machine.
Regards
TD

IPhoto 6 not importing iPhoto 5 library

Everything has gone so well with my new MacBook Pro transition, except one thing. I copied my "iPhoto library" (iPhoto 5 on a Powerbook G4) from the Users/Pictures folder on my old laptop to the Users/Pictures folder on my new MacBook Pro. When I open iPhoto 6, it does not import or ven attempt to recognize the new library. Help please!

Daniel:
Try the following: download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, substituting your account name for mine. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field. That will assure proper access to all files in the library.
Also make sure your iPhoto library folder is located in your Pictures folder and named "iPhoto Library".
Do you Twango?

Importing iPhoto folders albums

I know this is a basic question, but I just imported my iPhoto library into Aperture, and all I can see is the events. My iPhoto library was organized into albums and folders, and now I only have hundred of events in Aperture. I know the albums/folders are only pointers, but is there any way of importing this directory so I don't have to reorganize the entire library?
Thanks!

I've had the same problem as everyone here. I just purchased Aperture and imported my iPhoto library and all my albums in folders didn't come across.
So what I did was go back to iPhoto and move all my albums to the root level, out of the folders.
Then I created a new Aperture library, so i could start from scratch and then imported my iPhoto library, and it's worked.
I think it's definitely a bug in Aperture, and it's something Apple needs to address as it's a real pain. I haven't been able to find any documentation that this is a bug, and for that matter all I have found on this issue is this thread. I'm glad I did otherwise I would have been stumped.
The only thing is then I had to recreate my folder structure in Aperture that used to have in iPhoto and then drag my albums to each one of those folders. It took me quite a while. So it's not as seamless to move to Aperture if you have your albums in folders.
Also now my MobileMe galleries don't sync across...there is a fix, but I might just delete all my MobileMe Galleries on me.com and then reupload them from Aperture just to be safe. What a pain.

I was importing photos to iphoto and somehow lost access to my iTunes library. when i open iPhoto, it asks me to select a library, but there are no photo libraries for me to select. I cant find my pictures and have no access to my iPhoto..

I was importing photos to iphoto and somehow lost access to my iTunes library. when i open iPhoto, it asks me to select a library, but there are no photo libraries present for me to select. I cant find my pictures and have no access to my iPhoto.

somehow lost access to my iTunes library.
What does iTunes have to do with this? Also more specific information might be helpful.
What system and iPhoto versions are you running?
Where are you being asked to select a library? What kind of library, iPhoto or iTunes?
What do you see when you first launch iPhoto?
OT

Upgrading iPhoto Library Manager and Lost folders...

I've been using iPhoto Library Manager (ver. 3.4.?) and iPhoto 8 with most photos on an external LaCie drive. I've just upgraded to iPhoto Library Manger ver. 3.5.6. I didn't know that a new version of that program would present an empty library list. I also had a good-old fashioned folder, on the LaCie drive that contained photos. After the upgrading, I cannot find that folder. I think that may have to do with iPhoto Library Manager creating a new library inside that plain-jane folder. Does anyone have experience with this program and how to find lost folders and photos?

Thank you and say "hi" to beautiful Ireland. My family stills farms east of Galway.
Let me explain further. In the last version of iPhoto Library Manager, before I upgraded to a newer version, when opened, it showed in the iPhoto Libraries list many libraries, most on the external drive and one on the HD of the Mac.
When I would select one of the libraries on the external drive (ed), then I would see what each of those libraries contained including several which had not only jpg photos but some with a "folder" containing those jpg photos. I could then open those libraries or even those "folders" and access the photos with iPhoto.
After upgrading iPhoto LM, the libraries list was blank. I began populating it again by selecting "Add Library" and selecting from the list that occurred. Here's where the mystery began. There was a "folder," not a library that came up on that list of photos on the ed. That folder contained hundreds of jpg photos. When I clicked on that folder, iLM said that there was no library in that folder and provided a button to create one. I did that. Since that point, the folder and its contained jpg photos have disappeared but there is "library" on the iPM list window that wasn't there before. When I select it to open in iPhoto, it shows there are no photos.
I hope this may not be as bewildereing to you as to me.

I lost all my photos, while repairing the Iphoto library lost most photos.. help!!!

Hi all!
It seemed I made several stupid choices while I was trying to repair iphoto.
1. Importing photos
When I was importing photos, Iphoto said there's not enough space in my startup disk. And it showed me some choices, and I don't exactly remember what I chose(was really tired after work)/ I think I did something and relaunch or something. And I think I forced quit when it seemed like not responding.
2. All photos were gone
When I reopened Iphoto, all photos were gone(it seemed like.)
3. The photos were there
So I googled like a maniac, found apple discussion. Checked iphoto library, and package contents. The photos were still in Old masters folder. The library was nearly 354gb or something.
4. Backing up
So I found a way, "repairing database". I tried follow people's suggestion, back up before you repair. So I was trying to back up with my timemachine, but again it was saying it's backing up for 459 something GB, and I didn't have enough space in my hard drive, so I didn't back up.(stupid choice).
At this stage, the photos were still there.
5. Repair database
Then I was trying to repair or rebuild database, and......when it was loading my enormous amount of photos 130,000photos, it was saying there might not be enough space in my startup disk, DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? and I said....yes.
6. Importing photos
So when it was doing its job, importing from the library, several hours passed. Then it said there's not enough space, and it stopped.
7. Iphoto library,,,,,,nothing there.
So now,,, the iphoto library is 1.47gb.....instead of 375 something gb.
It seems the all photos are gone.
8. the luck is.
I backed up on 28th, January. And photos from 30th, January are still in my SD card. So if I go back to 28th of January, I will only loose one day of photos.
But I don't want to loose them. I came to Kenya to build a children's library transforming an old bus, and the lost photos are when we are painting outside of the bus. The most fun part.
9. HELP
So please help!!!! I want to do all I can do to bring those photos back.
10. additional information
I deleted many files to have some space. When I check about this Mac, the storage shows back ups are 400 something GB.. why???
Thank you so much! Asante sana in advance.
Bobae.

The fact that the original files are in the "Old Masters" folder is an indication that you got bit by a bug in iPhoto that occurs when an import is interrupted.
I recommended a possible fix to another user but haven't heard back from them as to whether or not it worked. It consisted of:
1 - move the "masters" folder to the Desktop.
2 - rename "Old Masters" to "Masters"
3 - rebuild the library with iPLM with the option to scavenge any orphaned photos.
It is a long shot but worth a try.
If that doesn't work you'll need to start over with a new library and import the contents of the "Old Masters" folder, several sub folders at a time.

Aperture import iPhoto library, no duplicates

Merging iPhoto libraries into a single Aperture library risks duplicate images. Multiple iPhoto libraries might contain the same image.
According to the online manual there is a command 'File > Import > iPhoto Library' that would allow the 'Do not import duplicates' option. This command does not seem to exist in the current version of Aperture.
This may be a way to do this -
    Right or control click on the iPhoto library to 'Show Package Contents'. Move the Masters folder out of the package.
    In Aperture, click the Import arrow icon and navigate to the Masters folder. This allows selection of the 'Do not import duplicates' checkbox.
    Then perhaps run Duplicate Annihilator on the Aperture library. Use the option to label any duplicates and originals. Flag the originals and search for keywords 'original' and 'duplicate' to verify.
Any comments on this - will it work?

Merging iPhoto libraries into a single Aperture library risks duplicate images. Multiple iPhoto libraries might contain the same image.
The recommended procedure to merge iPhoto libraries using Aperture is described here:
Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
You will need the current Aperture 3 version - at least Aperture 3.3. and open all your iPhoto libraries in iPhoto 9.3 or later at least once.
Merging libraries is preferable to simply importing the "masters" folder - this way you will be able to save all your work - edits, tagging, albums, etc.
If you move the "Masters" folder from your iPhoto library, you may corrupt the library, and by importing only the originals and not the edited versions, all your work done in iPhoto will be lost.
If you have Duplicate Annihilator, you can still run it afterwards to check, if duplicates are remaining after merging. The "Merge" will only look for perfect duplicates - similar filename, similar size.
Regards
Léonie

Newly imported pictures not appearing in iPhoto '08 Library

So, while I was importing a whole slew of photos today, iPhoto became unresponsive (I think because of two RAW images I inadvertantly left on the camera). I had to force quit iPhoto and when I relaunched it, none of the photos imported show up in my library. They are available if I browse "All Images," but if I try to drag and drop any of them into the iPhoto Library it says they're already there.
Advice?

Never access photos that are managed by iPhoto in your All Images search. It's a good way to damage your Library.
Surefire fix: restore from back up.
Other than that:
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

Lost iphoto 6 library

I have iphoto 6.0.6 and just tried importing some photos off a CD copied from a friend's Mac running Leopard. A box appeared saying the photos were not compatible with my iphoto version and I should update it but there are no iphoto updates when I check for them.
Then a box appeared saying do I want to upgrade my photos to the newer version and (foolishly) I clicked it and it took several minutes to 'convert' my library.
Now when I open iphoto there is nothing in it and it says I should update iphoto; but still there are no updates available.
My pictures folder has a iphoto6.library file (white) but I cant open it.
What I want to do is reconvert my pictures back to their original format. I do not want to upgrade the rest of my computer to Leopard.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Here is a recap TD's advice
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new iPhoto 6 library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
It appears that you may have misunderstood part of these instructions
When moving the iphoto6library file (a white icon with nothing apparently in it) onto the desktop and then back into iphoto a box comes up saying it's a unrecognized format. Whatever happened changed the format of the photos; they weren't corrupted.
There is nothing about moving the library6.iPhoto file and bringing it back into iPhoto - the library6.iPhoto file is a file within the iPhoto library that describes the iPhoto database and there is nothing you can (or should) do with it
To create a new iPhoto 6 library (Not to be confused with the library6.iPhoto file discussed above) you follow the instructions starting at 3.
Is there a system restore like in Windows to a previous date that might work?
Only if you have a backup to restore
I dont really want to buy ilife if I can avoid it but I will if its the only way to get my photos back (and yes I should have made a back up)
Purchasing a later version of iLife will not fix anything - your library is corrupted and you must fix that for things to work - there is nothing wrong with your iPhoto application
LN

Importing iPhoto `11 Library Lost Folders & Nested Albums

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