IPhoto 11 -- Destructive crops

--- Destructive Cropping ---
Using iPhoto 11 9.2.3 / Mac OS 10.6.8
Since the release of iPhoto 8 Apple has heavily marketed iPhoto's capacity for non-destructive editing. I find this is true at least with respect to setting white and black points, exposure, cropping, etc ... but recently I find that some iPhoto crops are non-editable (i.e. destructive—which  for once is an apt term!) I know that iPhoto is cropping the original because I've opened the original JPGs in my iPhoto library and they are NOT the dimensions of the original photos. If it weren't for back up copies, I'd be steamed
iPhoto does not destructively crop the majority of the time. Initially I experimented carefully on a dozen scratch photos to be sure. I've been able to crop and recrop any photo numerous times. But indeed, something does trigger an occasional destructive crop—and I have no idea what.
The first indication of a destructive crop is that the Revert to Original button is disabled. And in edit mode I no longer see the original photo surrounded by crops marks. That's how I first discovered the issue. I thought, "Where are my crop guides. After a destructive crop, logically, they are no longer visible.
But what incurs a destructive crop?? If cropping can be accomplished "destructively" and "non-destructively" I'd like to be clear about what causes the former. Anybody know. Anybody experienced this?
-- Conclusion --
Seems like an interface flaw that iPhoto usually behaves "non-destructively", but some step  silently causes iPhoto to crop "destructively" and surreptitiously, and that iPhoto provides the user with no warning that it is about to be permanently alter the photo!
This is my first second serious attempt with iPhoto. The first time was years ago and I didn't like it then. I'm not a mac lightweight, or app lightweight. Actually I'm a app developer and designer. And I think something is wrong with the function or interface ... or the non-destructive marketing and documentation. I haven't been able to find any discussions that cites destructive cropping in iPhoto.

You have a great way of making normal things sound strange and suspicious
You can't search the Library package with Spotlight.
When you edit either with or via iPhoto a new file is created. This is a Preview and stored in the Previews folder. It's there so that apps that link to iPhoto via media browsers etc have something to get from the app. Aperture does the same, just you can choose to generate previews or not.
This has been the case since iPhoto 1. The names have changed (Originals to Masters, Modified to Previews) over the versions but iPhoto has always generated a version of the shot incorporating the edits. That’s just how it works.
Here's how the non-destrucive part works: If you edit a shot with iPhoto then choices you make are stored in the iPhoto database and the Preview is created.
If you subsequently edit with iPhoto, then the sum of the edits are re-applied to the Master file and the old preview is deleted and a new one created, reflecting the new changes.
If you export the shot (File -> Export) a new file is created incorporating the changes (unless you export the Original, of course).
It's still non-destructive because you can revert to the original.
However, the fact that you cannot revert to the original on some of your files suggests to me that the database in your Library is corrupted.
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 Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
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

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