IPhoto folders and duplicated pictures

I've just swith to Mac, and I love it. Importing my pictures from my pc was easy, however somehow I ended up with the following folders under iPhoto Library:
-Data
-Modified
-Originals
Can someone explain to me how were these folders created?
Aditionally, when I spotligth a picture it appears on two locations (generally under Originals and Data folders, or Originals and modified) Do I have duplicated pictures? How can I look for duplicated pictures?
Many thanks
Pedro

vote_4pedro:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Those three folders are created by iPhoto automatically to hold the following:
Data - thumbnail files for each file imported into iPhoto and viewed in the thumbnail mode up to a certain size, after which the original file is used. This speeds up launching of iPhoto as it does not have to read and render the full sized image files.
Modified - every time you do an edit iPhoto creates this modified file and applies the edit to that file. This allows you to revert to original any time you need the original file.
Originals - these the the files that get imported into iPhoto.
Having these different folders and files is how iPhoto operates and they should not be tampered with from the Finder: Don't tamper with files in the iPhoto Library folder from the Finder. To do so will damage the library and render it unusable for the most part.
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.

Similar Messages

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

I have iphoto 6 and my pictures are no longer showing. I have tried importing them but it just give me an error msg. (file format not recognized) I have tried rebuilding the iphoto library but that doesn't work either. Any suggestions?

How did you rebuild?
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 6* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

When I create an album in iphoto am I duplicating pictures or just creating links?

When I create an album in iphoto am I duplicating pictures or just creating links? My iphoto is slow and I'm wondering if I am bogging it down. Thanks.

How many Photos? How much Ram? What Mac? How muc free space on the Disk? And, how slow is "slow to start up"?
Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package
A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

HT1338 Transferring iPhoto events (and all pictures inside) between MacBook Pro's

I have an old Mac Book Pro (OSX 10.5.8) and I want to switch the iPhoto "Events" and all pictures/video in each "event" to my newer Mac Book Pro (OSX 10.7.5). How do I do this? So far, when I transferred my photos, they are all in one jumbled mess

If you wan to merge 2 library incase you can try this iPhoto Library Manager.

Upgraded thumbnails on iphoto '09 and my pictures went missing. still on my computer just cant pull them back to iphoto

Hey guys, I need some help here. I was uploading photos onto iphoto and a msg came up saying that it can upgrade my thumbnails and so I clicked on ok. All my pictures on my iphoto are now gone. When I search my computer for them I can find them, but when I go to the location they say they are through my filem then pictures and then in my iphoto library, there not there at all. I know there all still on my computer somewhere i just want to be able to get them back into my iPhoto. please help me if you can, im not very computer smart when it comes to this stuff. Thank you for any tips, suggestions you can give me!

Hey guys, I need some help here. I was uploading photos onto iphoto and a msg came up saying that it can upgrade my thumbnails and so I clicked on ok. All my pictures on my iphoto are now gone. When I search my computer for them I can find them, but when I go to the location they say they are through my filem then pictures and then in my iphoto library, there not there at all. I know there all still on my computer somewhere i just want to be able to get them back into my iPhoto. please help me if you can, im not very computer smart when it comes to this stuff. Thank you for any tips, suggestions you can give me!

IPhoto: Imported and Lost Pictures

I have just imported my pics during a normal sync, I could see them imported on Iphoto but when I wanted to see them on the events tabs they couldn't be accessed. I closed Iphoto hoping to reset the "glitch" and when back in iPhoto the pice were gone, lucliky this time I didn't let the app to erase the pics (last time I did and lost a bunch!).
This is not the first time I import pic and I've done it multiple times, but lately I've been having this problem.
Any Ideas?

What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
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

Created " iPhoto Library" ontop of my "iPhoto Library" and lost pictures

Hello,
I was trying to create a new iPhoto Library file. I held down the option key and created a new file. But I forgot to give it a different name. Now I can not find my photos from the first "iPhoto Library" anywhere.
I'm surprised at how easy this was to do accidentally. It never asked me "Are you sure you want to replace the exsisting iPhoto Library." as one might expect.
My library is on a second hard drive that I have not touched yet. So I imagine the files are still there, just somehow the directory overwritten. Help!
I do own Data Rescue by Prosoft, but I'm hoping to find an easier/cleaner solution. I can't imagine that I'm the only person to have ever made this mistake. Thanks in advance.

In the circumstances you describe, it's iunlikely to have overwritten the Original library. The new library will have been called iPhoto Library Folder_1.
Try holding down the option (or alt) key bution again, on launching iPhoto, choose LOCATE and navigate to the library location. See if that helps.
Regards
TD

Iphoto folders and screensaver

Thanks to TD I recovered my library, but now have a bizarre quirk. I have selected an album folder in desktop successfully. I can click on all the albums and the contents are correct in desktop. However when I go to screensaver the SAME albums appear to have the contents of the entire library, NOT the selected album photos! I tried renaming the folder to check that it was looking at the same one and sure enough the altered filname appeared, but the contents remained as the entire photo library. What pathway has got scrambled during my library lost crisis? How do I reestablish the link. Previously it worked just fine!

Sunny Teacher
Two thoughts:
Go to your iPhoto Library Folder and remove the AlbumData.xml file to the desktop. Launch iPhoto and it should recreate the file. Then check your screensaver preferences.
There is a possibility that this is caused not by iPhoto but by the cache for the Screen Saver. It may have failed to update or been corrupted somehow. Try creating an album of, say four pics. In the Screen Saver select this album and let it play for a few moments, see if the resulting slideshow is accurate or does include the entire library. This might force the cache to update.
Regards
TD

Iphoto folders(organized) transferred to photoshop?

Due to my occupation I have to use a PC. I have photoshop on both Mac and PC.
1. Is there any way to transfer my iphoto folders and pics to windows and keep the organization I have?
2. Is there anyway to keep organization of iphoto folders and pics and transfer to photoshop on my existing mac? I was thinking maybe the transfer to windows would be easier if I could transfer my folders and pics to photoshop mac. Then transfer photoshop folders and pics to windows.
Basically I would like to keep my organization of pics in iphoto, photoshop mac, and windows. Is there an easy way to do this.
Or once you go iphoto you never go back.........?

Articaine:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. If you copy only the Originals folder and its contents from your iPhoto Library folder to your PC you'll have all your original image files in folders that represent the rolls in iPhoto. So if you want to do some additional organization before copying to the PC select files your want to group together in the main library and the create a new roll with them.
You can rename the rolls from within iPhoto so that the subfolders in the Originals folder have more meaningful titles.
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, 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

IPhoto folders locked after moved to external hd

Hi
I am trying to free some space up on my 160GB iMac 17" Snow Leopard.
So I thought I would move my iPhoto Library to my external hard drive. I do it.
I open iPhoto via the new location. But the images are not there.
I look at the iPhoto folders and they are ALL locked (Permissions).
I have to go through all the years and Rolls and let my user access them. Which will let iPhoto app get the photos.
WHY IS THIS?

Try the following:
1 - download and launch BatChmod.
2 - apply the following settings (except for the toad user )
3 - Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and select the library again to open.

HT1229 Tried moving my library to an external hard drive and now when I open iPhoto, there are no pictures there!!!!

I am using iPhoto '08 and moved my library to my external hard drive exactly as all the instructions online explained how to do. I renamed the original "iPhoto Library.old" and ,y external hard drive shows a iPhoto library using the same amount of memory as what it shows on my internal hard drive. Here is where is becomes a problem. When I hold the option key and open iPhoto, the only box that comes up does not give me a list of libraries to choose from. It give me the option to "Create new library" or "choose existing library". When I click "choose existing library" I can find the copied library on my external hard drive but when I open it, iPhoto shows No Photos. When I have tried opening the original iPhoto Library (the exact same way using the option key and choosing library) that I have not done anything to, except rename it, it does the exact same thing: No Photos. Both my internal and external hard drives show about 137 GB of space being taken up by photos but I can't access them. My other big problem is that ,y internal hard drive is completely full, which is why I am trying to transfer them to an external, to free up space so I am very limited on what I can do because I have no free space. Also, when I open iPhoto and try to go to the Preferences to change to path under advanced settings, it freezes and I have to force close it.
Ay advice would be greatly appreciated as I am getting stressed out that I can't open my thousands of photos!

My guess is that the library has been corrupted from being run on an overfull HD.
So, try rebuild the Library on the External
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

Itunes allows library to point to other folders and not copy files - WHY DOESN'T iPHOTO?

Hopefully Terence Devlin and other experts will see this. I really am intrigued as to iphoto behaviour and seek some clarification.
I just waded through 13 pages of an old thread that was locked where Terence kept saying iphoto was all one needed to work with one's photos and kept getting called on the fact he would not answer the question "where are my photos" (photos = files) because it was so darn dangerous for anyone to touch the actual files in the iphoto library.
I have a use case I need help on and an example of Apple's utter inconsistency here.
Inconsistency: iTunes lets me create a library all the while pointing to the original files that *I* have imported and structured in a given directory/folder stucture. Yes it means I manually manage what is in itunes etc, but that's how I like it. The key thing is that itunes allows the choice to import (copy) files (which makes duplicate and doubles hard disk usage) or not.
iphoto does not allow that option.
I just converted to Mac from a PC and copied in over 100gb of photo files - some 16,000 photos. I import new pics to the Mac using Canon native software and store them accoring to a structure/taxonomy that *I* determine and want to control - not some software's predetermined idea of events or locations or whatever. In itunes I can make 'music' an 'audiobook' or I can make a podcast 'music', I can edit the metadata to order things in the 'library' as *I* choose and the itunes library is coole with this without havign ANY of the soruce files in its library. Naively, I thought iphoto would follow a similar philosophy.
Use case: I discovered that iphoto has some very effective functionality for management of my uploads and sets etc in Flickr, but to do so I have to import my pics, obviously. So I did import the whole 'Pictures' folder - not for a moment considering that Apple would be dumb enough to copy every pic and make a duplicate, or that I might not get the chance to say yes or no to this in the settings, as per itunes. Having looed for that optin and failed to find it I imported anyway to see what happened. After I realised that the Mac was heating up and files were being copied and I was going to lose another 100+gb of disk space I forced this to quit. And thanks to others on that other thread I found the iphoto library and deleted the whole thing, getting back 100bg of drive space. All I want to do is use iphoto for the Flickr sharing/management functionality - I have no use for it otherwise.
Why would Apple think that not having to duplicate files is ok for itunes but not a viable option for iphoto? Why would I want to double the disk space used for every photo I store? At the very least iphoto needs to come with a health warning that it should only be used to import from external devices and be the sole manager of photos, unless one wants to use double the disk space.
So if I want to use the sharing (i.e. Flickr uploading and management of sets etc) capabilities, should I import all or some of my folders, do my work and then delete the library each time to reclaim the disk space?

If I import photos to iPhoto, the originals are deleted? So if I import from a card I have taken from my camera or if I connect my camera directly, the act of importing into iPhoto wipes them from my card?
Again, you need to check your facts before getting indignant. This is simply not true. It's an option you have and not one I recommend using. But it's only an option.
Storage costs money and I do not want to have two copies of every pic on my hard disk - especially given huge filesizes of RAW files today.
No one is suggesting that you have two copies. You have your iPhoto Library and then you back that up. Again, less indignnation, more careful study.
I do use other photo managers (e.g. native Canon tools) quite happily and they are far less 'exclusive' - i.e. I can use different apps with the same native file structure.
Using other photo managers makes little sense, any more than having two address books. How do you keep them in sync. Your comment about file structure is important, we'll come back to that.
If I want to go back to a Windows PC or any other machine and want to retain the "manual" file labelling and directory structure that I have implemented and been using for years, it seems that having a reference library that *I* know the taxonomy of is actually an advantage if I want to go somewhere else.
If you want to retain exactly the same filing structure you have now, then don't use any Photo Manager. Stick to the file manager. You'll be missing out on a lot of options, but hey ho, it's what you want.
That said, if you want to migrate from iPhoto to a Windows Machine then that's what File -> Export is for, and you can export from iPhoto to a folder tree matching your Events.
And this is a big one: This is true of any Photo Manger. Especially one with lossless processing - iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom et al.
Here's the principle: IT IS MY DATA AND I WILL DECIDE HOW IT IS LABELLED - WHAT THE FILENAMES ARE - AND HOW IT IS STRUCTURED INTO DIRECTORIES AND SUB-DIRECTORIES. I WILL DECIDE WHICH APPLICATION I USE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THAT DATA AT ANY POINT IN TIME
DId you stomp your foot while writing those block capitals too?
But here's the thing: It's your data then why the heck are you dealing with Files?
This is the key difference, and frankly, unless you can geet this you're always going to have problems with Photo Mangers.
The illustration I use is as follows: In my iTunes Library I have a file called 'Let_it_Be_The_Beatles.mp3'. So what is that, exactly? It's not the song. The Beatles never wrote an mp3. They wrote a tune and lyrics. They recorded it and a copy of that recording is stored in the mp3 file. So the file is just a container for the recording. That container is designed in a specific way attuned to the characteristics and requirements of the data. Hence, mp3.
Similarly, that Jpeg is not your photo, it's a container designed to hold that kind of data. iPhoto is all about the data and not about the container. So, regardless of where you choose to store the file, iPhoto will manage the photo, edit the photo, add metadata to the Photo but never touch the file. If you choose to export - unless you specifically choose to export the original - iPhoto will export the Photo into a new container - a new file containing the photo.
See? It's about the data and the data and the file are not the same thing. Organising your photos based on the files is like organising a shoestore based on the boxes and not the shoes.
And here's the thing: anything you want to do with your Photos can be done either with or via your Photo Manager.
And again, I strongly stress, this is true of iPhoto, Aperture and Lightroom.
And please note: either with or via... Want to use a 3rd party editor, that can be done easily and so on.
Let me correct you. "If you use an APPLE Photo Manager then it's the go-to app for whatever you do with your photos.
Doesn't matter who makes it.
Other Photo Managers may have more flexibility and enable greater user control."
Sure. iPhoto's a $15 app. Aperture is a $70 one. Adobe's Lightroom is about $150. Pay more get more options.
And remember where we came in here: You said you weren't able to choose where to store your files. You're wrong. You can. All I'm saying is that there's no point and more work to it.
For many - including me - the Apple way seems way too dictatorial -
Whoa. Apple are dictating nothing. You don't have to use iPhoto, you don't have to use a Mac. And remember:
...where we came in here: You said you weren't able t choose where to store your files. You're wrong. You can. All I'm saying is that there's no point and more work to it
Are Ford dictatorial demanding you steer the car using a wheel? Sheez.
and yes there are certainly advantages for some types of users of trusting one piece of software to do everything, however non-transparent it may be what it is doing or why, and with the dangers of trying to do ANYTHING else at all with one's photos.
And again, everything is quite transparent if you take a little while to understand it. You don't understand it because you're coming from a file management and not a data management perspective. Also no one is suggesting using "one piece of software to do everything". iPhoto leverages the Finder for storage, QuickTime for display, uses and Open-Source database and so on, it protects your original file like a digital negative.
iPhoto may well not be the app for you. That's especially true since you don't understand it and are confusing it with a file manager. That's fine. But please, stop saying things that aren't true.

How can I move my 31K photos to a standalone drive in folders and then import them back to edit and then perhaps return them to iphoto and library to produce slide shows

I want to move my photos into folders, which reflect the contents of iphoto events , to a standalone hard drive. Subsequently I intend to return them a few at a time to edit in Elements. Once they are edited I may return groups to iphoto to organize into slide shows. As things stand now, my iMac drive is rapidly filling up. I do not use raw files so I want to move Jpegs and edit them.
David

I'm with Léonie. That's a very (and unnecessarily) complicated plan you have there. As Léonie says you can just set Elements as an external editor.
To move a Library:
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Regards
TD

How can I transfer/copy my entire iPhoto library from one iMac to another iMac whilst keeping all the folders and subfolders intact?

We recently purchased a new iMac for our office (8 GB memory, 2.7 processor, version 10.9.2) and we need to copy the iPhoto library from our other iMac (version 10.9.4) onto the new one. The photos are essential for our work and there are around 53,000 of them all organised into folders and subfolders and then the photos are manually ordered within the albums.
We have tried connecting the computers but when we tried to access the iPhoto library on the new iMac it says that iPhoto is locked and we do not have permission to view it. We updated iPhoto on the old iMac as we thought that might be the problem but the message still appears. We've been advised to use an external hard drive but we're worried that will corrupt the organisation of the library. We have also been told not to do it over AirDrop / the Server because of the sheer quantity of photos.
Any advice on how to safely do this would be much appreciated.

No idea exactly what you did
if you followed the instructions
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
then you have exactly the same thin on your new system that you had on the old
If you do something differently - like import the library instead of simply opening it - then it will not work
did you dimply drag the iPhoto library from the pictures folder of the old machine to the pictures folder of the new machine and then launch iPhoto on the new machine?
and to help it is important to use word correctly since that is the only communications method we have - in iPhoto folders do not contain photos - you view photos in events and you can organize them using albums (which view photos) and folders (which hold either albums or other folders - folders never have photos in them) so your description of the problem is not at all clear since it uses folders incorretly
LN

When I click on almost any picture, in any album, to enlarge it, the pic starts to enlarge and then all I get is a black screen with a large exclamation point in the center. What have I done to my iPhoto program, and how do I fix it?

Recently, whenever I click on almost any of my pictures, in any album, in order to enlarge that photo, it starts to enlarge but then,
very quickly I get a black screen with a large white exclamation mark in the middle. And no full sized photo. Boo!
What did I do to my iPhoto program, and how can I fix it?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Mike H.

I'm sorry. Too old to understand this stuff. I'm sure this seems real stupid to you. But I have no idea how one
would "right click on the Original iPhoto Library" (I know, I know, 'as stated").
Do I right click on the symbol in the dock?? Or open it first and then, . . I can't find a way to right click on the word iPhoto in the top bar.
Or should I open the program you had me download. There I can find something called "original iPhoto library".
When I "right click" on that I get some options. None of them are "original folders". There's "reveal library in finder", and "dupilicate library and "sort libraries". I have no idea if any of these are what you want, or if any of these might change something.
When I clicked on "reveal library in finder" earlier on it showed me the copy of the photo library that I made a while ago, sitting right where I know it is on my desktop. And if I click on that symbol it shows me all the pictures again. Just like in my regular iPhoto files - all the thumbs are there, but most can't be opened to full sized.
Are we making progress here? I'm sure this is frustrating to you. This is just pictures of family. Even the thumbs are nice to look at. But this is nothing critical - like work related or anything.
Thanks.
Mike
t

IPhoto folders and duplicated pictures

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