IPhoto 5.0.4 to iPhoto 8

Question

I am planning on upgrading from iPhoto 5.0.4 to iPhoto 8 on my iMac. After I install iPhoto 8 will it write-over the old application? Will all of my photos then be in IPhoto 8? I have years of photos organized as film rolls with names--not the default numbers. This works fine for me. Will I be able to organize iPhoto 8 in a similar manner? I don't understand how 8 works with events. Will film rolls still be available? I worked very hard in organizing my iPhoto Library and want to keep it that way. Any insight or help would be appreciated.
Thank you!
LHM

Answer 1

LHM:
If you haven't already converted the library to V8 check your rolls. If you have any that are named the default name, Roll XX and use the numbers to help you identify their contents, you might want to rename them with something more descriptive before converting to V7. The reason is they will be converted to an Event with the title "untitled event" which gives no inkling of what's inside. You'll end up with multiple "untitled event" events. So it's best to rename them in iPhoto 5.0.4 before converting.
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 created 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 and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.