IPhoto Import on New Mac-Insanity

-- Just upgraded to a new 27" 2.7ghz iMac from a '06 iMac.
Manually imported the iPhoto Library package using target disk mode on the old guy. Simply dragged the icon into the new library.
album.
Every single photo was imported at least a minimum of three times. All of my events were painstakingly curated with accurate dates and times for pictures going back to the 1980's---all of this information seems to be just plain random/wrong now. Also, the automatic 'face' generated files are actually visible in each event-- i.e., if i have 20 pictures of friends at the beach, there are now an additional 20 pictures of their faces, and all of this duplicated three times.
Help?

Te problem is that you
Simply dragged the icon into the new library.album.
That means you imported one Library to another. That means that all the individual versions anre treated as single images, you lo Albums and metadata and have a mess.
To migrate to a new Machine
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network, <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661"><b><u>Firewire Target Disk Mode</b></u></a>, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
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.
There's no importing involved.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

IPhoto Migration to new Mac--MAJOR ISSUES

We just got a new iMac to replace our previous 2006 iMac that was running Mountain Lion. It had already been determined by a Mac repair person that our old iPhoto library was corrupted and that we couldn't migrate that Library to the new Mac. Rather, we'd need to drag the "Originals" folder to the new Mac. Note: Due to the amount of photos we have, we store our photos on an external hard drive. (Also, nevermind that the 35K photos that were so carefully organized into folders and albums over the past 8 years would be lost). Fine. That's what we did. Major issues ensued:
1. Everytime I've imported photos from my iPhone over the past two years, random photos (mostly those that I edited in Apps like hipstogram) multiplied and were reimported EVERYTIME I plugged my phone in the Mac. There are, like 10 copies of certain photos.
2. Many photos are somehow duplicated, but in different "rolls." How do I even find the duplicates? They're dated when they were imported, not created. Grrr...
3. During the import to the new Mac, an error message let us know that 795 photos were not imported. Which ones? Don't know.
4. The WORST issue of all, a lot of the metadata on the photos is incorrect. Some is user error (Canon camera had the year as 2007 when it was really 2008), but a lot of photos imporated from the iphone over the years are saying 1/20/1980 or another nonsensical date. Or the photos are dated as the date of import, not when they're taken. So, not only did I lose the organization of the library, the metadata is incorrect. For many of the 35 thousand photos over 12 years.
The result? A jumbled nightmare of "Events" that aren't in chronological order in the new iPhoto.
Sidenote: Why can I navigate to the Originals photo files in the old Mac, but I cannot navigave via the finder to the Originals in the new Mac? The only way I can get there is to click "Go to original file" from iPhoto...and even then, its location is unclear.
I don't know what to do from here. The options as I see them:
1. Clean up the duplicates/metadata in the old Originals folder and re-import the folder to the new Mac.
2. Start with the current debacle on the new Mac and painstackingly reorganize all the folders (cleaning up, correcting dates).
Another sidenote: Is there a way to delete a photo in iPhoto and truly delete the file? I started deleting duplicates on the new iMac and I have to navigate to the original file (in its mysterious location), delete it, and then delete the thumbnail in iPhoto. This may take a year or two to complete. There has a be a better way. Help.....me.....

Our Mac person determined that our library was corrupted because various attempts to rebuild the cache/library were unsuccessful (spinning wheel and error messages).
try to reproduce this on your old computer nad report the exact error messages (and look at the iPhoto menu ==> about iPhoto to get the version)
So, from what I understand, the best path forward would be to fix/rebuild the old library to be able to migrate it to the new machine
Yes
I do have a question about deleting photos in iPhoto. How do I handle eliminating duplicate photos in an iPhoto library (new or old)? My understanding is that deleting an image in iPhoto does not delete the actual file (in originals or masters or where ever it is housed on the Mac). Does this matter? Why would deleting photos in iPhoto cause corruption of the library?
Duplicates - IPLM does them very well
And most certainly deleting using iPhoto properly does totally remove the photo form iPhoto and from th ehard drive
Deleting in iPhoto is trivial - select a photo in an event, press the delete key and empty the iPhoto trash (do not let the iPhoto trash get large since sometimes iPhoto does not handle large trash bins well) - on later versions then you need to empty the system trash too
Do that and the photo is gone from iPhoto and from the Mac (given that you have a corrupted library past deletes might not have worked - from a properly working library it will work)
Deleting using iPhoto will not corrupt anything
BUT you stated
I started deleting duplicates on the new iMac and I have to navigate to the original file (in its mysterious location), delete it,
That is NOT using iPhoto to delete photos - it is using the finder to go directly into the contents of the iPhoto library and makeing changes - that corrupts the database
LN

Migrating old iPhoto Library to new Mac

Hi,
I recently experienced a hard drive crash on my 5 yr old iMac, so I've purchased a new one instead of repairing and upgrading the old one. I now have a large iPhoto library on a backup drive (drag file copy, not Time Machine, and yes I am using Time Machine now...). Since I started with an older version of iPhoto, I have the Library folder with all the folders visible inside, like the Originals, Modified, etc. I was surprised to see that the iPhoto Library on my new system is a single file. I had hoped to just drag the existing folders to the appropriate location on the new Mac. Barring that, I tried importing the Library from my backup drive into iPhoto '11 on my new system (by just highlighting the Library folder in the import window), and boy what a mess I have now. Most events appear two or three times, with some folders containing all the photos, some containing smaller versions (some type of thumbnails I presume). I had around 25K photos on the old system, now I have over 55K after importing them to the new Mac. After having spent a gajillion hours editing the original photos for dust, color correction, etc, I'm not at all interested in re-doing all this work. I've done some searching but can't find any documentation on moving my old Library to my new iMac. Any suggestions or a good URL would be great.
Thanks
Lou

Never import one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.
In your case I woukd simply start over. Trash that Library on the new machine.
To migrate a Library to a new machine is simple:
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine (or in your case, from the Hard Drive) 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.
I was surprised to see that the iPhoto Library on my new system is a single file.
Since iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
Accessing the files in the Library via the Finder has not been supported on any version of iphoto. As an FYI:
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.
Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected. 3.b.
b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

Copying iPhoto Library to new Mac

My entire iPhoto library with over 4000 pictures and 30 albums is on my iMac G5. I would like to know what is the best way to "mirror" my iPhoto library to my MacBook without having to manually create each album and drag the pictures into it (which would take forever!). I have an external hard drive I can use.
Any suggestions?

If you want to mirror it up to the time you make the copy: Just copy the entire iPhoto library folder to your new Mac and point iPhoto to it there (option-launch and navigate to the iPhoto library folder)
Since that was too easy, I'm assuming you want to have both Macs to use the same set of images - i.e. when you add photos to one Mac, they should show up on the other's iPhoto as well?
You'd have to use something like iSync but I'm usually afraid to trust the application's view of what is "newer". Things could get messy.
Your album data is stored on the Library6.iPhoto file, so as long as you keep your Originals, Modified, and Data folders in sync, you should be able to copy the latest Library6.iPhoto file to both iPhoto Library folders.
Still, this method is fraught with peril so do it at your own risk.
You could share your entire library on each Mac and then use one Mac to look for new albums on the other one, and drag the entire album to the current Mac. A little less painful but not sure what you lose accessing a shared library's album. I don't know if RAW images would copy as RAW or JPEG.

Time machine did not restore all of my iPhotos to my new mac

I bought a new iMac a few months ago. I had regularly kept backups of my old mac using time machine. When i installed all of my old mac on my new mac everything looked OK except for iPhoto. Some photo's transferred in the correct folders and others appear to be there as a thumbnail but when you click to ppen the pic it comes up with a black screen with a white warning triange with an exclamation mark in it. Anyone have any ideas?

These are your options:
1. Restore the iPhoto library from the most recent backup that predates the issue.
          Advantages: Always works, if library damage is causing the problem and the backup is intact.
          Disadvantages: Impossible if you don't have a backup. All changes made since the backup are lost.
2. Repair or rebuild the library. Be sure to back it up first.
          Advantages: May solve the problem with no loss of data.
          Disadvantages: May fail. May take a long time if the library is large.
3. Scavenge the library with a third-party application called "iPhoto Library Manager," which you can find in a web search. From the application's menu bar (not the iPhoto menu bar), select Library ▹ Rebuild.
          Advantages: All images should be preserved.
          Disadvantages: All books, calendars, and slideshows will be lost.

How best to restore iPhoto library to new Mac mini

So I have a brand new Mac Mini and my iPhoto library from my old iMac is backed both on Time Machine and via CCC on different external HDs. I want to transfer my iPhoto library(>200 GB) to the new Mini. Is there any reason to restore from Time Machine versus CCC? Are there advantages to using one versus the other? I would like to keep my events, albums, etc. if possible. I made the CCC backup just to have an extra backup.
Thanks in advance.
Jim

You can use the one you prefer because it's the same. With Carbon Copy Cloner, you just need to go to the folder of the external disk with the library and copy the library to Pictures folder, and with Time Machine, you can use Time Machine UI to restore the iPhoto library

IMovie/iPhoto download on new mac

I recently bought brand new iMacs. I can't seem to download the iMovie/iPhoto. I can see that it's listed under Top Free section in the app store, but when I try to get it, it says Buy $14.99.
I was under the impression this is free for new machines? How do I get these?

You asked for help, but you didn't bother to mention the most important aspect of the issue, you erased the Mac. Some new users don't realize that the apps are already installed. And had you accepted the apps before erasing the Mac you would be able to redownload them from your Purchases list. But during a complete erasure and reinstall, they can be obtained through the OS X Recovery link you've been given.
We try to be civil to one another in these forums. You started the thread, but you don't control who participates. You can accept my help or you can cut your own throat and make everyone aware that you're a pendejo, in which case most folks will stay away. Folks don't help the ungrateful.

Import Confusion-New Mac Convert

I have both iPhoto and Aperture (trial) loaded on my system. All of my photos (from my PC days) are on an external HD now connected to my Mac. I'm very confused about the import and storage process. Technically, all my photos are already stored, yet when I 'import' them into iPhoto as 'events' it appears they are being restored somewhere else- maybe just my own paranoia, but it's taking longer than I'd expect to just be storing thumbnails. Next issue, when I connect my camera, photos start to load into both iPhoto AND Aperture.
I'd like to keep my photos 'stored' on my external hard drive, not my internal mac drive. How do I control this in a way that isn't discouraging? In the PC world I considered myself an expert and things were very controllable and logical. Help! Thanks.

psurgery
I considered myself an expert and things were very controllable and logical.
As they are on the Mac. And if you want to replicate the system you used on the PC then do that. A simple, logical system of folders in the File System (the Finder) will be something that any expert can understand
If, however, you want to use iPhoto (or Aperture) then you need to realise that these are not FILE organisers but PHOTO organisers. It's a key difference and the first one you need to grasp to make sense of the Applications.
The advantage of either application is simple: it offers vastly more organising, categorising and searching power than folders in the Finder. They integrate throughout the Operating System. They do other stuff too. I'll talk about iPhoto here, though anything iPhoto does Aperture does - and then a whole lot more.
By default, iPhoto copies the files to the iPhoto Library on import. It wants to manage the FILES so you can manage the PHOTOS. The idea is that you focus on the iPhoto Window and do all your work there - create Albums, Smart Albums, keywords and so forth.
Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. It will create an alias to the Original file, a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version.
However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity 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.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, that can be easily done from the iPhoto Window.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Aperture has more robust tools for working with managed files than iPhoto.
Remember, you've changed OS, there's a learning curve and it takes a little time.
btw: The photos are not imported into either application unless you expressly tell the apps to import.
Regards
TD
Message was edited by: Terence Devlin

Unable to open previous iPhoto library on new Mac

Hello,
Wondering if anyone can help... Having copied my old iPhoto Library (from OS 10.6), I've tried various methods to open in new iPhoto (running OS 9) with all photos still organised into events.
1. Replacing iPhoto Library: User > Pictures > iPhoto Library, doesn't recognise photos at all
2. Reading iPhoto Library from file on external HD
3. Holding down alt key, on opening iPhoto Library and pointing to old Library, doesn't recognise image files. But then…
I actioned ‘Rebuild Library’ and had some success, I can see jumbled images, without Events data - though many images were duplicated after being enhanced (rotated).
Is there a fool proof way other than how I’ve tried, to export all photos form old iPhoto Library, with events data remaining intact and not duplicating lots of images? Is iPhoto Library Manager the best software for Mac that will sort through and find /delete ‘similar' images?
Appreciate all tried and tested suggestions, as this is about 5 years+ worth of images…
Thanks

Having copied my old iPhoto Library (from OS 10.6),
What version of iPhoto last used that library before you copied it over? Are you currently running iPhoto 9.5 1? If your previous iPhoto verson was iPhoto 7 (08) or earlier read Note 2 below.
This screenshot shows which previous versions of iPhoto are compatible with Mavericks. It also indicates which versions qualify for a free upgrade to iPhoto 9.5.1 and which require a purchase:
Note 1: every day more users are reporting problems with iPhoto 8.1.2 so I've included it in the non compatible category.
Note 2: If your previous version of iPhoto was iPhoto 7 (08) or earlier you'll need to download and run the iPhoto Library Upgrader 1.1 application on the library before opening it with iPhoto 9.5.1.
If the above does not apply try the following on a new copy of your original library:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.>Click on the Add Library button,
2 - select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
3 - now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
4 - in the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed. Check the checkbox "Scavange orphaned photos". Click on the Create button.
Note 1: 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.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

Help! iphoto import to new iMac

Here's the situation. I just purchased a new iMac. (Love it by the way). I also have an old iBook. As my luck always has it, the night I'm setting up the iMac, my iBook goes on the fritz. I can't get it to boot, etc. Anyway, luckily (I thought), I have my iPhotos on my iPod nano. I just can't get them to import into the new iPhoto library on the new iMac. Anybody know how to do this? Also, what about the music stuck on the iPod? Only some of it transferred when I authorized the account. I think it was only the purchased music from itunes. Any way to get the other stuff transferred over? Thanks in advance!

When you put the pics onto the Nano, iPhoto makes tiny thumbs of the pics - otherwise you would have no room for the music. So, unless you ticked a box in iTunes to copy the full sized pics, all that are on the Nano are these minute thumbs. So, yes, go to your apple store and get the pics off the iBook.
Regards
TD

Moving Certain Events From iPhoto Library to new mac

I just bought a new macbook pro. i want to transfer my iphoto library to my new MacBook Pro, BUT i only want to transfer certain events.
Ex: i have events A,B,C, and D on my iMac but i only want events A and D on my MBP due to space concerns.

Link the two Macs together and use iPhoto Library Manager to move the selected Events plus associated metadata between the libraries.
Regards
TD

How to easily transfer iphoto mediathek to new mac

Hello,
I have a simple question but have not found answers to this so far, therefore I hope you can help me.
I just have purchased an iMac. On my old Macbook I´ve all my pictures in iPhoto, with folders etc. The transfer has not succeeded so I am searching for a way on how to completely transfer the complete iPhoto pictures and folder structure of my old MacBook to my new iMac.
Does anybody know?
Thank you so much in advance!

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network, Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
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.
Regards
TD

Iphoto import stalled when mac ran out of power

I was trying to import photos into iPhoto from a digital camera, when the Mac battery ran out of power. This seems to have caused the import to stall, and now I can't make it restart or even stop.
Here are the system data:
OS X Yosemite
iPhoto library is running from an external hard drive
Digital camera is Canon LG20

Apple Menu -> Force Quit.
There is a high likelihood that your library will be damaged. Do you have a back up?

Iphoto albums to new mac from old

I have already moved my entire iphoto library to my new macpro from my old ibook. but for some reason none of the albums came with it. Is there a way to get the albums over to the new after I have already moved the library?
Thanks

How did you do the move? The correct way is to copy the entire iPhoto Library folder, as an entity, to the new computer. When iPhoto opens the library it should be in exactly the same condition as before you moved it. If you didn't do it this way and you still have the library on the ibook then I suggest you start over.
Was the ibook library also running iPhoto 6? If so, you could try copying the database file "Library6.iPhoto" from the old library into the new library on the macpro, allowing it to overwrite the existing file there. This will only work if the library structure is identical to the old library.
If the iPhoto library on the ibook was having problems before you copied it, then it's possible the database was already damaged. This would explain why it didn't copy over properly, even if you followed correct procedure. If that is the case, rebuild the library on the ibook. [Hold Option and Command as you launch iPhoto. Select the first 3 options in the dialog, then rebuild.] If the rebuild is successful and the library is in good shape, then copy the entire iPhoto Library folder to the macpro again.
Regards.

I am trying to transfer my photos from old mac to new mac. I copied the iPhoto library to an external hard drive, then imported it to the new iPhoto. It turned my 2000 photos into 12,000!! What happened?

And how do I turn off FACES?

I copied the iPhoto library to an external hard drive, then imported it to the new iPhoto. It turned my 2000 photos into 12,000!!
According to you youo did not do what I instructed - you said you imported the old library into th enew library which can easily take a 2000 photo library and turn it into 12,000 including two ro three versions of each photo pus all the face thumbnails
The correct procedure has NO importing involved
drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - launch iPhoto on the new mac
That is it
LN

IPhoto Import on New Mac-Insanity

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