IPhoto Library seems far too large

Hi,
When I first loaded my images into iPhoto I thought what I wanted was to preserve the original file structure i.e. I keep all my images in a 'Digital Photos' folder, then broken down by year and date. So when I imported the library to iPhoto I unchecked +Copy Files To iPhoto Library.+
My iPhoto library seems just as large as my Digital Photos folder. I think now rather than have a separate folder, I'd rather just store the photos in iPhoto and half the disk space. So my two questions are:
1) If I have a 'referenced library' of aliases which appears to be the case, why is the iPhoto library package so large regardless?
2) If it were easier to use a managed library (no need for separate photos folder) how could I move all of my photos into iPhoto easily without having to erase my whole library, loosing my events and tags?
Thanks for your help!

So when I imported the library to iPhoto I unchecked Copy Files To iPhoto Library.
As you probably know from reading this forum this is not a recommended way to use iPhoto - there are many drawbacks and over time it will create problems for you
1) If I have a 'referenced library' of aliases which appears to be the case, why is the iPhoto library package so large regardless?
the iPhoto library contains an original of the photo (in you case this is just an alias since you are not copying items to the iPhoto library) in the originals folder, a thumbnail (very small) of the photo in the data folder, a copy of the latest modified photo in the modified folder if any edits or modifications have been made to the photo plus a database structure description file (library6.iPhoto) and some other support files - usually small
SInce your iPhoto library is large I assume that you have edited, rotated, cropped or otherwise modified many of your photos.
2) If it were easier to use a managed library (no need for separate photos folder) how could I move all of my photos into iPhoto easily without having to erase my whole library, loosing my events and tags?
This is the recommended method of operation
TO go from a referenced library which you now have to to a managed library many people have been successful using Alias herder -http://www.rorohiko.com/aliasherder.html
Back up your iPhoto library in case of problems and run alias herder against the library - is will pull the oritinal photos into the library originals folder replacing the aliases and you will be fine if everything goes smoothly
And keep on backing up - it is important for any computer data
And strongly consider getting Old Toad's automator script and regularly backing up the database file, library6.iPhoto in addition to your regular full library backups
LN

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IPhoto Library seems far too large

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