IPhoto library merge

How can I "merge" an iPhoto library on my iMac with one on my MacBook Pro? I want to give the iMac away, but want to be sure I have all the photos on it without comparing each of over 9,000 photos with its counterpart on the other computer.
Also, why is the iPhoto library not a folder that holds individual files, like with iTunes or any other folder holding multiple files?

Does the application integrate with iPhoto via a media Browser?
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
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.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(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:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
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 later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

  • Iphoto library merge / Copy

    i have one iphoto library on the external hard disk (older photos) and one on the mac book air,
    since the hard disk on the mac book is now full i want to migrate this library with the one on the external disk. how do i best do this without overwriting the old library ? can i just giv it another name to have two on the external disk or can i actually merge the two into one

    You can give it another name (iPhoto library 1)
    You need additional dsoftware to merge libraries - iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can merge libraries  --  it also can move events between libraries
    LN

  • Pre-iPhoto library merging with iPhoto

    Hi all, recently I got myself a new Macbook Pro with it came the latest iPhoto program. I have now approx 2.6 GB of photos managed by iPhoto. I actually quite like the program with face detection etcetera. My events are named like this: reversed date_description (for example 110430_Wedding). The reason why I use names like this is because in this manner in Finder the folders will be listed in the chronological order. I used this method before I started using iPhoto.
    I also have a photo library of around 32 GB with the same file name structure as mentioned above and just using Finder to manage it. I would like to use iPhoto to manage both libraries and thus need to merge / import the libraries but have some queries:
    - will iPhoto become sluggish after importing 32 GB with a total library of roughly 35 GB?
    - if I import my older photos will iPhoto use the existing folder names for the events (or do I have to type it all in again)?
    - if I import my older photos will iPhoto use the dates in the exif file to arrange the events (something which I do not want to happen)?
    - if I export my merged library what will the names of the folders be called?
    - what would be recommended as a backup strategy (manually copying it to an external hard drive)?
    - would you recommend another photo managing program for me?
    That is for now, I might find some more questions. Thanks in advance, macroen

    - will iPhoto become sluggish after importing 32 GB with a total library of roughly 35 GB?
    No - iPhoto handles that size library just fine - it is rated for up to 250,000 photos
    - if I import my older photos will iPhoto use the existing folder names for the events (or do I have to type it all in again)?
    If you drag each existing folder onto the iPhoto window it will create events matching them
    - if I import my older photos will iPhoto use the dates in the exif file to arrange the events (something which I do not want to happen)?
    Yes - iPhoto uses the EXIF dates for photos - events can be sorted by several methods (view menu ==> sort events)
    - if I export my merged library what will the names of the folders be called?
    What ever you name them - when you export you say where to pace the exported photos
    - what would be recommended as a backup strategy (manually copying it to an external hard drive)?
    That is one way  --  I use Time machine to create a time based set of backups p;us a nightly clone of my entire system including iPhoto to give me a bootable exact copy as of the clone time - plus an occasional Tm backup at a second location - my photos ( and other data) are valuable to me and worth trying to save from software/hardware/human failure
    - would you recommend another photo managing program for me?
    That is strictly a personal decision - I choose iPhoto - TD uses iPhoto and Aperature - Old Toad uses anoher DAM mostly and iPhoto for projects primarily
    LN

  • After having to replace my hard drive most photos were lost, but luckily were on an external drive. Have copied the iphoto library to computer, but now there are two seperate libraries.  How can I merge them?

    How can I merge two Iphoto Libraries?

    If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
    Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager

  • I am wondering what is the best way to merge a very large iphoto library (from my MBP) to my new iMac (which has a few hundred photos on it now), and then upgrade to Aperture?

    I have about 50GB of photos on my old MBP iphoto library.
    I have a new iMac with a few hundred photos that I've uploaded since I bought it last December.
    The iMac is where I want to keep everything stored as my main photo library, and manage it with a new Aperture installation. 
    Before I go and do this, and possibly muck it all up,
    I would like to figure out the proper steps.
    I am not too familiar with how to transfer files in the first place, so any help for a beginner would be much appreciated.
    Starting from how to safely move the files from the MBP to the iMac, if anyone could walk me through this process.
    I've been searching around but I have a specific goal (with getting everything into Aperture) so I don't want to get crossed up. 
    Thanks for your help!!

    I have about 50GB of photos on my old MBP iphoto library.
    To be able to merge your libraries, your Aperture version and iPhoto version must match. For basic reading see: Aperture 3.3: Using a unified photo library with iPhoto and Aperture
    and Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
    Assuming you are running the latest Aperture and iPhoto versions:
    Before merging libraries ensure that your iPhoto Library has no issues. While still on your old mac run the "library first aid tools" on your iPhoto Library. Hold down the key combination ⌥⌘ and double click your iPhoto Library, then select "Repair database".
    Make sure you have a backup of your current Aperture Library and iPhoto library.
    Do both macs have a FireWire port? Then you could connect your macs in Target Disk Mode:
    See OS X Lion: Transfer files between two computers using target disk mode
    This way your new mac could see your old mac as an external disk and you could copy directly between the macs.
    Otherwise copy your iPhoto library by drag-and-drop to an external disk (on your old mac) and connect that disk to your new mac. Check, if the external drive is formatted for mac (MacOS X Extended (Journaled)). Otherwise reformat it, before you copy the iPhoto library to that drive.
    When your iPhoto Library has been moved to your new Mac launch Aperture and use the command "File > Import > Library" from the main menu bar. If there are duplicates in the Aperture library (if you imported earlier from iPhoto) you may be prompted if you want to "Add" or "Merge". If you have lots of duplicates, pick "Merge", otherwise "Add".
    Post back, if you need more detailed instructions.
    Good Luck.
    Léonie

  • Error Message (Arrow and Exclaimation Mark in Yellow Triangle) Showing on Bottom Right of Some Photos after Merging iPhoto Library into Aperture

    The strange thing is that some of these said photos with an error message have a normal thumbnail and can be opened fine, but the others (most of them) just have an empty space in the thumbnail as if the image can't be found.
    I tried to Locate Referenced Files as Leonie suggested in https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3686982?tstart=0 but got this message 'The Selection Doesn't Have Any Referenced Files', so i presume that's not the issue.
    In the thread mentioned above, Leonie mentioned something about not emptying trash. I did empty my trash recently, and started to think these images may have been poor quality ones i previously deleted in the iPhoto library … but that still doesn't explain why the error currently appears on some images which seem to work fine (these images are ok quality ones and there is no way i would have deleted them in the past).
    Also - the 'Processing' message at the bottom of the browser seems to be spinning endlessly. I just left it for over 10 hours overnight and it's still going. Could this be linked to these error images which it's having a hard time finding/loading?
    Quite baffled at the moment, and would really appreciate any feedback. TIA.
    EDIT:
    I just looked more closely. It appears that most of my folders have duplicates of the same image with exactly the same file name. And all the images with the error message have them on both duplicates (i.e. one on an image that has an empty thumbnail, and one on an image that's fine).
    When i initially tried to import the library, it proceeded half way then failed. After opening the iPhoto library in Aperture first, and then doing the import again, everything worked fine. So, i'm wondering if the images with errors that are empty/blank may be the result of the failed 1st import.
    What's puzzling is why they weren't overwritten (especially since all the file names are exactly the same). When importing the library, i chose 'merge' instead of 'add' when prompted, thinking that would solve it. Obviously not.
    EDIT 2:
    After reflecting on this, i thought one solution may be to:
    a) Find all the error'd images that are empty/blank and delete them, and then
    b) Find and remove all duplicates
    So i followed Leonie's suggestion to create a Smart Album and use the 'File Status is Missing' rule.
    But now, i see that there are images that i imported into Aperture months ago that have the same problem. And the new thing is that there are duplicates with errors where *both* images are visible (whereas for the iPhoto library i just imported, there were dupes where one version was blank and the other was visible and seemingly ok).
    I'm really hoping there is a simple solution to this, and am awaiting some feedback before i try anything else.
    NB. This is a super large (over 100GB) Aperture library that i am trying to consolidate everything into. It is Work In Progress and i was only going to back it up once the import of various iPhoto libraries was done. However, I'm wondering if it's better to just back up first - but if i do it now, the backup will include all these errors and duplicates. What would you guys do?

    UPDATE 2:
    The users in these 2 threads seem to have a similar File Status Not Found issue:
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4086569?tstart=0
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/17757686#17757686
    Followed Leonie's advice to look for the (missing) masters inside the Masters folder, and indeed, they were missing. So, that confirms the reason for the error message.
    If this does not work, because you have managed originals, inside the Aperture Library, look for your originals in the Aperture Library Package. Select the Library in the Finder and ctrl-click, then select "Show Package Contents" from the pop-up. In the Finder window that opens, navigate to the folder "Masters". Your missing images should be inside; the folder is structured by date of import.
    Of course, the question is - why the masters for these few images are missing, when the other images in the same project that were imported/merged at the same time are fine.
    Trying to do the library import/merge from iPhoto into Aperture again. Fingers crossed. Will report back on the result.

  • I just purchased Aperture and have 20,000  photos in my iPhoto Library. Can I import only certain events from iPhoto into Aperture or do I have to merge the whole iPhoto library?

    I just purchased Aperture and have 20,000 + photos in my iPhoto Library. I see that I can create a unified library between the two. I am wondering if I can import only certain events from iPhoto (like only 2014 events) into Aperture or do I have to merge the whole iPhoto library? Are there any benefits to bringing the whole iPhoto library over to Aperture (iPhoto is SO SLOW for me, I wonder if it is because I have so many photos). Or, any detriment to only bring a few events over?
    And, if I don't merge the two libraries, I assume that means I cannot do it at a later date?
    Help. My local Apple store has had very few Aperture workshops, and the next one is like 2 months away.

    Thank you so much for this information. Here are some responses/comments:
    Disk space - it says 114.43 GB out of 499.25 GB free. I have no idea if that is enough.
    iPhoto version is 9.5.1
    Again, I am not sure how to know if I have 3rd party software...but I don't think I do. Is 3rd party software anything non-apple?
    I will try rebuilding the library. if that doesn't help, maybe I need more memory...? That is what Apple suggested, but that, of course, means buying something else. I've already bought APERTURE, on their recommendation...
    It wasn't, and they told me it was slow because I had too many photos for iPhoto to handle and that I should buy Aperture. Which I did.
    What is your iPhoto version? Are you using the most recent version 9.5.1?
    iPhoto can handle 20000 photos, no problem.  Your computer can be slow for several reasons:
    The most common problem for slowness - insufficient disk space. Don't let your free disk space drop below 20 GB of free space, better more. If the operating system does not have enough working space and the applications you are using, you will notice a very lagging behaviour.
    Older or incompatible softweare can cripple your mac. Do you have any older third-party software installed, that might have installed incompatible kernel extensions?
    Aperture might be slow or keep crashing, if you imported a corrupted image or incompatible video,  that cannot be processed. Then Aperture will try over and over again to create previews and never succeed.  You could test for this situation, by launching Aperture with the Shift-key held down. This will defer the generation of previews. If Aperture will launch and work better this way, you probably have some bad media in your photo library.
    Another problem to check for is a corruption of your Aperture/iPhoto library. You have run the First Aid Tools to repair the iPhoto Library, but have you ever tried to rebuild the library? See this post by Old Toad: Rebuild iPhoto Version 11

  • How can I merge original and modified folders in iphoto library?

    I see 2 folders within iPhoto library - originial and modified. Original folder keeps all pictures in original and modified has the edited version for picture I edit. So iPhoto basically keeps 2 version for any picture I modify, which takes a lot of space.
    I would like to have just one copy for each picture (original picture or only modified version of the picture if I edit) - this way I think I would save a lot of memory. Could someone please advise
    1. if there is any iPhoto settings that I change, so that it starts saving only 1 copy for each picture
    2. If I could something with my already existing pictures - i.e. if there is a way I can delete "original" version of only those pictures for which "modified" version is available.
    Let me know if anything is not clear or you need any more information. Thanks in advance.

    Don't use iPhoto.
    Iphoto is a Digital Asset Manager designed to protect your original file at all costs. In other words it treats the original like a film shooter treats the negative. This is hard-wired into iPhoto, it's the very heart of the programme. If you don't want that feature, don't use iPhoto/
    Note that there are different versions of the photo, they are not copies. The Original is required for the Non-Destructive editing feature in iPhoto.
    So, specifically, no you cannot merge the two folders - and by the way, doing so won't save any memory at all, just some diks space.
    1. if there is any iPhoto settings that I change, so that it starts saving only 1 copy for each picture
    There isn't.
    2. If I could something with my already existing pictures - i.e. if there is a way I can delete "original" version of only those pictures for which "modified" version is available.
    There isn't.
    If space is an issue: use an external drive for the 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.
    Or, just use an app that works the way you want.
    Regards
    TD

  • Selected iPhoto 6 technical notes (NO Library merging abilities)

    A query on iPhoto 6 SOMETIMES displays up to 250 tech notes for the release on Apple's support site. Sometimes it shows nothing. I suspect their servers are still updating. These caught me eye.
    Specific links are on my blog, a paste of the comments are below. See
    http://googlefaughnan.blogspot.com/2006/01/selected-iphoto-6-tech-notes.html
    # What's new: NOT Library merging, alas! At least, not documented. I just can't understand why this doesn't make the list.
    # You still can't add shared photos to a Library
    # There's an option to save edited RAW images as 16 bit TIFF
    # You can create and edit rolls, I don't know if that moves files around one's hard drive.
    # iPhoto is not Aperture -- one note says it really works best with JPEG images
    # Control key lets you compare image to original
    # There's a 'create library' menu item.
    # Advanced options: don't import images to library when adding, you can assign a color profile on import to a particular image
    I am beginning to think that Apple considers "library merge" to be a hard cutoff between iPhoto and Aperture. If you need to manipulate multiple Libraries, you need Aperture. Absurd. I have no other explanation for why this is not supported however.

    For those that get this annoying message which
    results in text loss on the iPhoto 6 PDFs, we solved
    the problem by quitting iPhoto, trash the file,
    ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iPhoto.plist.
    I have just encountered the same problem after printing a large number of photos (not pdfs) with no probs iphoto print or print preview suddenly started coming up with the same message when using an Epson Photo R210 printer. Unfortunately I do not have the ...iphoto.plist file in the location suggested even though other .plist files exist for other applications. Any ideas? My problem occurred when I staretd using the 4X6 print size. Nothing I change fixes it though.
    iMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Epson Stylus Photo R210 printer

  • I'm trying to merge (unify) my Aperture library with my iphoto library and have doen the merge and consolidate functions in Aperture.  I have found that this process increased my Aperture library form 30 to 39 gigs and duplicated many photos in the proces

    I've just merged my Aperture and iphoto libraries and have found that my combined new Aperture library has grown from about 30 gigs (the total size of the Aperture and iphoto libbraries prior to merging) to 40 gigs.  Also, in reviewing photos in the Aperture browser I find that photos appaer as duplicated, one photo with no tag (the original) followed by the same photo with a small tag (suggesting edits).  HAs the merge process caused an unintended increase in library size? My initial reason do consolidate the libraries was to eliminate the "referenced" portion fo the Aperture library that refernced the iphoto originals. Any thoughts as to how I can get one consolidated non-referenced combined libray inside Aperture with no duplicates.  I run a Time Capsule and can access backups of the original Aperture and Iphoto libraries if I need to repeat the process. Thanks for any help.  Jim.

    My initial reason do consolidate the libraries was to eliminate the "referenced" portion fo the Aperture library that refernced the iphoto originals
    One for the Consolidate Masters command.
    By importing the Library you brought over everything, lock stock and barrell, and your Aperture library still points to those referenced masters in the iPhoto Library.
    Regards
    TD

  • HT204414 how to merge my iPhoto Library into my Photos System Library or how to import photos from iPhoto to Photos?

    Can anyone tell me how to merge my iPhoto Library into my Photos System Library or how to import photos from iPhoto to Photos?

    How many did you trash at one go? iPhoto will baulk and possibly corrupt if you try trash too many at one go. Expereinced users recommend getting rid of them in batches of about 100 or so.
    What's your plan for the remaining images in the iPhoto Library (the 2k photos and 4 videos)?
    Regards
    TD

  • How to merge RAW files into iPhoto Library?

    Hi,
    I have several (Aperture-) modified photos in iPhoto. When I click on any one of those photos in iPhoto (9.5.1) and then click on File -> Reveal in Finder -> Modified File – it reveals the location of a jpg-file inside my iPhoto Library. So far, so good.
    However, when I choose File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original File it takes me to an external folder (located in my Home Picture library) and reveals the original RAW-file. I don't know why they are in a folder outside the iPhoto library but I suppose it has something to do with me editing them outside of iPhoto. And this is not a library but just a regular folder containing RAW-files.
    How can I merge all my RAW-files so that they are, neat and tidy, all inside my iPhoto library?

    However, when I choose File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original File it takes me to an external folder (located in my Home Picture library) and reveals the original RAW-file.
    You can use Aperture to move the raw originals back into the iPhoto/Aperture library, if your iPhoto and Aperture versions are still compatible.
    Open your library in Aperture and select all photos with raw originals in the Browser and use the command "File > Consolidate Originals".
    You will be prompted, if you want to move the files or to copy them. Select "Move files".
    The reason they originals are outside the library is probably caused by the way you imported them. Check your import settings in Aperture.
    In the Import panel the option "Store files" should be set to "In the Aperture Library".
    And in iPhoto the "Advanced" preference for importing should be "Copy items to the iPhoto Library"
    Regards
    Léonie

  • How to merge external RAW-files with iPhoto library?

    Hi,
    I have several (Aperture-) modified photos in iPhoto. When I click on any one of those photos in iPhoto (9.5.1) and then click on File -> Reveal in Finder -> Modified File – it reveals the location of a jpg-file inside my iPhoto Library. So far, so good.
    However, when I choose File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original File it takes me to an external folder (located in my Home Picture library) and reveals the original RAW-file. I don't know why they are in a folder outside the iPhoto library but I suppose it has something to do with me editing them outside of iPhoto. And this is not a library but just a regular folder containing RAW-files.
    How can I merge all my RAW-files so that they are, neat and tidy, all inside my iPhoto library?

    I am glad you found the answer useful
    What probably happened, was that you imported your original files as referenced. This feature is not recommended in iPhoto, since iPhoto does not support it well - or not at all. I did not want to point that out in the iPhoto forum. In Aperture it is very useful, however, if your library is so large, that it will not fit on one drive. Then you can store the originals on a different drive. Aperture handles referenced images very well.
    For some background reading you may want to have a look at this manual page, just in case you may want to use this feature one day:
    Aperture 3 User Manual: Working with Referenced Images
    -- Léonie

  • HT201340 Merging iPhoto library into Aperture - what really happens?

    If I merge my iPhoto library into Aperture does it mean I will have all my photos showing as projects in aperture the same as events in iPhoto? I only want to bring in my professional photos from different events in iPhoto and put them into projects to create a themed workflow and edit these in Aperture. I do not want iPhoto and Aperture to be the same.
    I am extra new to the Mac invironment.
    Thankyou

    Open your iPhoto library with Aperture. Select the events you want combined with your Aperture library and select File->Export Projects as library. This will create a new Aperture library with just those events. Then reopen your normal Aperture library and File->Import library and select the new library you just created.
    Once you import this library, you can delete the separate library if you want.

  • IPhoto Library Manager MERGE = Untitled Events - ??

    I must be missing something.  (argh)
    When I attempt to MERGE two libraries in iPhoto Library Manager - it brings everything in as "Untitled" - all the Photos seem to be separating out into their specific Events, but the Events are Untitled.
    Is this something that will correct itself later on in the Merge when other data is brought over or is there something I need to do differently to retain the Event Titles?  (doh!)
    Thank you in advance!

    Best to contact the makers of Library Manager for that one.
    Regards
    TD

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