IPhoto 8.1.2 Slow To Launch

Question

I have iPhoto 8.1.2 and a library with 16,437 photos in it. When I click on the iPhoto icon in my Dock, it takes about 23 seconds of iPhoto opening before I can actually interact with it and use it. The main window opens very quickly, but after 6 seconds my mouse pointer becomes a spinning wait cursor!
Any suggestions? Is this normal for a library of my size?

Answer 1

Try this:  launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library.  Import some photos and check to see if the same problem persists. if it doesn't then your current library is the culprit. It it does then it could either be the applicaiton or something in your account.
Log into another user account on your Mac and run iPhoto to see if it takes that long or not.  If it does then try reinstalling iPhoto. To do so you'll have to delete the current application and all files with "iPhoto" in the file name with either a .PKG or .BOM extension that reside in the HD/Library/Receipts folder and from the /var/db/receipts/  folder,
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Then install iPhoto from the disk it came on originally.
If iPhoto runs smoothly in the other user account it could be something in your account that's the problem. If that's the case make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
     User/Home()/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your
     User/Home()/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder. 
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3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
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 down the Option key when launching iPhoto.  You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
If that fails continue with 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.
Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/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.