Installing iLife 08 was a HUGH MISTAKE, how do I now disable iPhoto?

Question

If I had known prior to installing iLife 08 that iPhoto was going to restrict access to the iPhoto Library from all other programs I would never had installed iLife 08 in the first place! I have Photoshop CS3 with Bridge but now I can't access the iPhoto Library with anything other than iPhoto! I'd prefer to use Bridge so how do I now disable the iPhoto portion of iLife so I can (permanently) regain access to the library of photos I have stored there?

Answer 1

imacpaul
iPhoto does not restrict access to all other programs.
If you prefer to use Bridge then simply right click on the iPhoto Library pkg. file in the Finder and go 'Show package Cotents'. You will see all your pics in there, exactly as in v6. You can simply drag them out and arrange them as you please.
If you're still interested in using iPhoto: There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. 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.
3. Show File: 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.
The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software (such as Bridge) or making changes in it themselves. If you're willing to risk database corruption, you can restore the older functionality simply by right clicking on the iPhoto Library and choosing 'Show Package Contents'. Then simply make an alias to the folders you require and put that alias on the desktop or where ever you want it. Be aware though, that this is a hack and not supported by Apple.
Of course, if you set PS as an external editor in the iPhoto preferences, then you can round-trip pics from iPhoto to PS and back again, without using Bridge.
However, if you wish to use two organisers (Bridge and iPhoto) then your best option is to do the file management yourself: Create a new library and in iPhoto Preferences uncheck the 'Copy Files to iPhoto Library...' box at Advanced. Then you can create your own file structure and iPhoto will reference the files there. But be aware that if you choose this option importing and delteing pics are multi-stage operations and migrating to a new machine or HD can be more complex.
Regards
TD