IPhoto 09: Unreadable files

I import photos - from the same cannon camera - into my iphoto all the time; however, I just tried to import 15 new photos and was unable to do so. A message popped up that said "The following could not be imported. (The file is in an unrecognized format.) All 15 files are in .JPG so I do not understand why they will not import. I can see the photos when I click on the NO_NAME devise in my Finder but the photos do not appear in iPhoto even for the preview place where you can select which ones you want to import. How can I get these photos on to iPhoto.

Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new library. See if you can import those photos into it. If so then your library is damaged. Try the following (assuming you're running iPhoto 09): make a temporary, duplicate copy of the library and try the three fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your Home/Library/Preferences folder.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding the the Option key. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
2. delete iPhoto's cache file that are located in the Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
Fix #2
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select last three options.
Fix #3
Use 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: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

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IPhoto 08 Unreadable file msg.

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I have lost all my photos twice in less than a year. It's become a major probelm for me. I have managed to get most of them back recently by just copying from my Pictures file. Still I am left a file of unreadable pictures that I cannot get rid of. The message pops up whenever I am loading my iphoto files and the process is on hold until I decide what I want to do with the unreadable files. Whether I say Yes or No to importing them, nothing happens except that the message window disappears and the readable files are loaded into iPhoto. How can I get rid of the 'message' and the unreadable files? Deleting doesn't help.

IPhoto Organizing Unreadable files

Well i have been uploading all my pictures into iPhoto and organizing them through there. Deleting the ones i dont like, and puttin them into certain albums. Well I realized that deleting the file on iPhoto doesnt actually delete the real file so i went into my photo library on my hardrive to organize and put them into individual folders from there. After i did that i wanted to upload all the pictures back into iPhoto but when i go to add to library it gives me the unreadable message. The photo type is jpeg, is there anyway i can get my pictures back into iPhoto?

Hi Honkmafia,
I just want you to read these two links before you do that again.
Two Apple kbs for you to read
Don't tamper with files in the iPhoto library folder
About the iPhoto Library folder
Also, after you delete images in iPhoto, you have to empty iPhoto trash for them to be deleted from the hard drive.
iPhoto>empty trash in the menu bar or go to the trash bin at the bottom of the source column, click and hold on it and scroll to empty trash.

Iphoto 08 "Unreadable File" importing problems

Problem: The iphoto library (with 16,000 photos already) will not import anymore.
I have performed the following:
1)Created a new iphoto library and it imports without a problem.
2)Reloaded the OSX on the computer.
3)Rebuilt the iphoto library using "Command and Option" while clicking the iphoto program.
4) Software update (quick time also).
The problem still persists. I did get the photos to the desktop using the other iphoto library.
One photo I am trying to import is a JPG that I took with an iphone. Another photo is a JPG from a Canon Digital Elph.
It appears to be a problem ONLY with that particular iphoto library.
Please help!

I hope this helps others.
I did NOT fix the problem but I did find a "work around".
1) Copy the iphoto library that will not import anymore, to the desktop.
2) Open the iphoto library copy.
3) Now import......it works!
If anyone finds out how to fix the problem, I am still interested in the fix. It takes a lot of time to copy a 15GB library every time I have this problem.

Unreadable Files, The file is in the Iphoto library

This morning my wife imported three sets of photos (from her ipad, her phone, the digital camera).
She did this in her user profile. At that moment all the photos were visible in iphotos.
This afternoon, when we went to see them again they were not visible. The fotos in the last import were from several days ago. I was able to find the imported files in the finder. Once I had them located, I opened iphotos, and tried to import them. But I get an error message. It reads:
Unreadable File. The following file could not be imported. The file is in the iPhoto Library.
I am using iphoto '11, version 9.2.1
The imported files are in iPhoto Library - Thumbnails - 2013 - 04 - 13 - 20130413
My user is the administrator but my wife's user profile had no restrictions.
Thanks,
Dave

You've determined that the files have already been imported into the library but iPhoto has messed up it's database and can't find them. So do the following: apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Since only one option can be run at a time start with Option #3, followed by #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 - click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - 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.
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

Unreadable FIles: The file is already in iPhoto Library

I accidentally deleted a photo from an event this AM. I can find it with the other photos in that event in finder using "Show Original in Finder" but when I try to get it to show in Iphoto, i get the msg. "Unreadable Files: 1" then "The following file could not be imported. The file is already in the iPhoto Library" Then is the text box it has the path for the photo in finder. So why cna't I get it to show again in the iPhoto event.

O.K. I found a soution. I moved it to the desktop, then dragged it into iPhoto and it imported as a new event. Then I merged the two events. Now it's back with its friends.

IPhoto Unreadable Files ITS A JPG!!!

Hello! (:
I'm trying to import some pictures the rest have gone fine but the most recent pictures i've taken keep going up as 'unreadable files' but they're normal just a jpg so nothing unusual. I REALLY need to upload these help!
Thanks for any help!

Are they in B&W?
If not:
As a Test:
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

Iphoto unreadable file error

I have iphoto on my mac and I recently imported some new photos. When I try and access the photos through iphoto my iphoto reads "FINISHING IMPORT" then an error pops up saying "UNREADABLE FILES: THE FOLLOWING FILE COULD NOT BE IMPORTED (THE FILE IS IN THE IPHOTO LIBRARY FOLDER).
I understand that iphoto cannot import files from the iphoto folder but why can I access the files in iphoto once they are imported. I'm double clicking the photos that usually full screens the image and now im getting that import error. Please help! Thanks

not sure to understand your concern.
This error message usually occurs when trying to import non image files (or image files not recognised by iPhoto or corrupetd files). The error message in that case is accompanied with a list of files which could not be imported.
I am getting confused when you say that you want to import files that are located in iPhoto folder. If they are already there, you don't need to import them...
Never put manually pics in the iPhoto folder directly.
If not answered, please clarify your question.

"Unreadable files" when importing photos into iPhoto

OK, I just recently got a new iMac - my first time using iPhoto. All seemed well for a while... until I started to import my photos into iPhoto from my HD (which I had copied over from my old G3).
The problem was that as I was importing some of the photos I got an error message saying the following:
"Unreadable files: 7
The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognizable file type or the files may not contain valid data)."
Now I really don't understand why it's saying this, as the 7 files it is referring to are just normal jpegs straight my from digi-cam. They are just like all the hundreds of other photos that were successfully imported.
Any ideas or help would be much appreciated!
Thanks.

Abstractman23:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Were the photos you were trying to import located within an old iPhoto library folder/package? When you got the message did iPHoto display the file names of the files it couldn't import? What were they?
If you were trying to import a library folder then the unrecognized files would be the database files that are part of the library structure.
If you are trying to move your old library from the G3 to the new Mac, just copy the iPhoto LIbrary folder/package intact to the Picture folder of the new Mac. Move any other library out beforehand. Download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, putting your administrator login name, long or short, in the owner and group sections. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field. Now launch iPhoto and it will open the library and, in an older version, update it to iPhoto 7.
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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

I have pre 08 iphotos saved on disk. When I try and open the disk in I photo on macbook pro I get the following message Unreadable file, The following file could not be imported.(The file is in an unrecognized format)

I have pre 08 iphotos saved on disk. When I try and open the disk in I photo on macbook pro I get the following message Unreadable file, The following file could not be imported.(The file is in an unrecognized format)

Here's a test you can run:
1 - copy a set of photos from the disk to a folder on the desktop.
2 - download and unzip the Automator workflow Convert to JPG and Embed sRGB profile. You can download it from Toad's Cellar.
3 - select the files in the folder and drag and drop onto the workflow app.
4 - try to import the resulting files.
OT

All of a sudden I am getting an "unreadable files" message when trying to import photos to iphoto, how do I fix

Why am I all of a sudden getting an unreadable file message when trying to import photos to iphoto from the card in my Nikon camera? I have done this many times before with no problem.

Can you access the files from Image Capture (in your Applications Folder)?
Have you tried a USB Card Reader?
Have you tried reformatting the card with the Camera?
Regards
TD

Photos recognized by iPhoto but denied import "Unreadable File"

Hi everyone,
Have used the same camera to load photos to iPhoto previously, however, my hardware crashed and was replaced recently.
iPhoto and Preview both recognize the pictures but when uploading the photos an error message comes up saying:
Unreadable Files
The following file could not be uploaded. (The file is an unrecognizable format.)
The videos from the same device uploaded successfully, just not the pictures. Can anyone give advice on how to get the photos uploaded?
Thanks!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
iPhoto and Preview both recognize the pictures but when uploading the photos an error message comes up saying...
Uploading to where? Do you mean Importing?
Use Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) to move the photos to your Desktop and then open and save one with Preview. Will that import? If so, try the same one the others and then use your camera to reformat your card.
Regards
TD

When importing photos into iPhoto I get an error Unreadable Files:

When importing photos into iPhoto I get an error Unreadable Files: The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognized file type or the files may not contain valid data).
I can open the JPG in question with PREVIEW, photoshop etc.. actually if I try to import a photo that I had originally imported it also fails..
Please help... Thank you..

I too had this error message (and to be honest, it was becoming a bit of a pain). I resolved it in a slightly different way to Terence.
I had 10 photos that were allegedly unreadable; however, as Terence rightly says, they are duplicates. When I opened iPhoto I mad a note of each of the files concerned and did a Spotlight search throughout my hard drive.
For each photo, there were four or five duplicates. I deleted all but one of each of the photos and then reopened iPhoto. No more error message.
The original problem stemmed from importing my files directly from an external device I was using with a previous computer [that was running XP].
Anyway, hope this helps.
Andy

IPhoto 9.5.1 Unreadable Files

I just tried to upload photos from my Nikon camera into iPhoto like I always do. Nothing that I know of has changed since the last time I did an upload.
This time I got the message....
Unreadable Files: 183
The following file could not be imported. The file is in an unrecognized format.
It listed the JPGs that it could not import. It did import 10 photos from that batch though.
To trouble shoot I created a new iPhoto library and tried the upload again. I got the same error message but it uploaded 4 photos.
Any suggestions?

Now use the app to move the images to a folder on the desktop.
If you can do that, then import the folder to iPhoto.
If that works, then reformat your card with your camera.

What does unreadable file and unrecognizable format mean in my iphoto 11?

What does unreadable file and unrecognizable format mean in my iphoto 11?

A number of people have reported issues with some models of Kodak cameras and iPhoto. Reformatting the card with the camera usually solves the issue. Make sure you have the photos off the card first (Image Capture - in your Applications Folder - may help with that) as reformatting will erase the card.
Regards
TD

IPhoto 09: Unreadable files

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