IPhoto: No option to edit in external editor

I'm running iPhoto 08 under Mavericks on my MacBook Pro. The option to open photos in an external editor is grayed out when I right click on a thumbnail in the main window. In another post I read that in order to do this you first had to select the editor in the advanced preferences settings pane and there was a picture showing that option. That option does NOT appear in the advanced preferences pane on my computer. I have looked pretty carefully at all the settings I could find, preferences and otherwise, and cannot figure out how to open the images in PhotoShop, or any other external editor for that matter. What am I missing?

You first have to select the external editor in iPhoto's General preference pane:
If you haven't selected an application that line will read something like "External Editor". Click on it and go to your Applicaitons folder and select the editor.
OT

Similar Messages

IPhoto '11 duplicates when editing in external editor

What the topic says. iPhoto automatically creates a duplicate, that actually shows up as a duplicate in the library, when you choose to edit a photo in an external editor (such as Photoshop). It used to just replace the original, thus showing only the edited version (though keeping the original file if you want to go back to it), which is exactly what happens if you choose to just edit in iPhoto.
Bug? Feature?

Same problem. I edit in external editor (PSE) and an edited copy shows up as well as the original. I highlite the edited copy and try to revert to original and nothing happens. I send the edited copy to the trash and empty the trash, highlite the original again and choose edit in external editor and the edited version pops up again as if I had never trashed it.
Another annoying issue: I really don't want to mess around with slide shows but am forced to if I want to look at a photo in full screen view. iPhoto 09, full screen view meant, highlite a photo, full screen view, photo shows up in full screen. Simple and exactly what I want. Now full screen simply means the left column disappears and I'm looking at a full screen of thumb nails. What good is that? OK, so I'll play that game. Select slide show, window pops up the first time asking for slide show settings. Select classic instead of disolve and check that as the default. Every single event that window pops up asking me for slide show settings even though I have selected my defaults. I have something like 850 events and I got very annoyed selecting classic as my default every single time. And why do they imagine I want to listen to music? I clone mt hard drive once a week and have a copy of my drive with iPhoto 09 on it. I'm going back to 09.

Photoshop and elements 13 Working in iPhoto Want to edit image using photoshop elements Did the following IPhoto Preferences Advanced Edit Photos: In drop down menu chose in Photoshop Elements Also control click and chose edit in external editor Drop

Photoshop and elements 13
Working in iPhoto
Want to edit image using photoshop elements
Did the following
IPhoto>Preferences>Advanced>Edit Photos: In drop down menu chose in Photoshop Elements
Also control click and chose edit in external editor
Drop down menu edit photos in external program>photoshop Elements
Go to to the image I'm working on --- selected the image, the clicked on edit. When nothing happened I double clicked the image. Still elements didn't open. Then I opened the Elements editor, went back to iphoto and tried the entire process again. the photo still didn't open on Elements 13 for editing.
I have 3 Elements 13 books as well as looked on line--all my references say the exact same thing ---- iPhoto>Preferences>advanced>edit in external program>photoshop Elements
I uninstalled and reinstalled both iPhoto as well as Elements.
I spoke with application technical support. There appears to be nothing wrong with my copy of iPhoto. However there is no support from Adobe. I waited for over 1.5 hours for chat support several days ago, and finally gave up.

You are probably choosing the obvious file rather than the correct file as the PSE editor. The actual editor is hidden away inside the Support Files folder. The PSE file at the top level of the PSE folder in Applications is just an alias for the welcome screen and what you're describing is exactly what happens when you choose that. You want this one:

MacOSX Photos App (versus iPhoto): edit in external editor?

Just a quickie to see if my deduction is correct. In the new Photos app on OSX I can find no manner via which to "Edit in external editor" as is (was?) possible in iPhoto. I deduce the manner for this now, is to export a photo, edit it (and rename if so desired), then re-import it. Correct? (No more of the handy, immediate-seeming path.)

I just realized that Photos doesn’t have a Feedback feature and at the moment there’s no Photos support there. Hold that thought and look back at the Apple Feedback site I linked to. With luck in a short while we can feedback our wishlist on Photos. I know this one is high on my list.

Edit with external editor command in iPhoto

I know there is a way to set IPhoto so you can use both iPhoto and PS Elements editors to edit photos. I have seen the "*Edit with external editor*" command within the Edit header within iPhoto but can't figure out how to do this. I found the below and tried it but it doesn't allow me to set two editors within Preferences. What am I doing wrong?
+"If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and select "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds"+
Thanks,
Scott

FIRST set external editor to PSE
THEN change the selection back (NOT TWO selections - just this one) edit in main window leaving PSE as the external editor
once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window".
+You are working VERY hard to make this dificult - *it is simple*+
Set PSE as the external editor THEN select edit in main window as the default without changing PSE being the external editor - One selection - EDIT IN MAIL WINDOW
NOW double clicking will edit in iPhoto -- Right clicking (or control clicking) will give you a contextual menu allowing you to choose PSE as the editor
LN

IPhoto 11 and PS Elements 10 - external editor issue

My Imac has been upgraded to Mountain Lion, iPhoto 11 and PS Elements 10. Now right-clicking shots in iPhoto browser brings up external editor choice and will then open PSE 10, but not the shot ( I have to drag shot to desktop, open with PSE10, save, import back to iPhoto - a huge step backwards). Same software ( iPhoto 11 and PSE10) works fine, albeit slowly) on my Macbook Pro running Lion. Please help?

You're selecting the wrong item as the editor in the Adobe PSE folder. It's fooled a lot of us in the past. This is the file you want to select as the external editor:
I may be preaching to the choir here but maybe the following will enlighten a bit on using PSE as the external editor:
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window
that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Note 1: screenshots are from PSE 10
Note: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
My apologies if you've already seen the above.
OT

In iPhoto the option to edit in photoshop elements has vanished

The option in iPhoto>pref>advanced>Edit in>Iphoto or PSE (Photshop Elements) has vanished!! My only option now is to edit in iPhoto or iPhoto library!! I usually edit my RAW files in ACR which has always opened when I hit edit in IPhoto,,,
Help!! Does anyone know what to do???

I may be preaching to the choir but here are some tips on using PSE from within iPhoto:
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window
that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Note: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
OT

Edit in External Editor (photoshop)?

I want to do a quick edit of an image in my new version of photoshop and when I select the image in the Album or in the Published Album Aperture is not giving me an option to Photo > Edit in External Editor because this is greyed out for some reason.
I have most of the manual printed out over here and found some threads on this in iPhoto forum but to be frank I am getting a little tired of some of the secret cubbies and locks I keep running across and I am afraid that if I just read the manual I will spend another two days trying to get this to work.
I imagine this is very straightforward and would anyone mind giving me a heads up on how to do this? I just want to black out a section where my background shows the wall instead of the black curtain supposed to be used as background...
TIA for any help.

You can set Photoshop as your external editor in Aperture > Preferences > Export > Choose. It's on page 472 of the manual.
If you have downloaded the pdf of the Aperture 3 User Manual, you can use it interactively in Preview. I think you will find that you can get answers for most things much faster by using Preview's search window for the Aperture manual than by asking in Communities.
If you are printing out the manual from the web version rather than having the pdf you can download it here.
http://documentation.apple.com/en/aperture/usermanual/Aperture%203%20User%20Manu al%20(en).pdf

How to configure iPhoto '11 most conveniently with an external editor

What I'd like to do is use iPhoto's built-in editor for most tasks and Photoshop Elements 9 for the tricky ones, so I thought that specifying Edit Photos In iPhoto in Preferences > Advanced would do the trick, especially because there's a contextual menu item "Edit in External Editor" for those occasions. However, what I've found is that after editing a photo in PSE9 with these settings, when I try to save it, the photo is stored in a subdirectory of "Masters" (the old "Originals") instead of "Previews" (the old "Modified"). Only if I configure iPhoto to edit directly in PSE 9 (so simply opening the editing pane will open the chosen photo in PSE 9, which I don't want), will the iPhoto properly first copy the photo to be edited in the "Previews" subdirectory.
Is this a bug or by design? Is there a way to obtain what I want?

Maybe with will help:
Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's Advanced Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
Click to view full size
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window
Click to view full size
that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements 9 the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
Click to view full sizes
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always.
In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Click to view full size
NOTE: If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS/PSE without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in iPhoto". That will let you either edit in iPhoto using the Edit button or Control-clicking on the thumbnail and selecting "Edit in iPhoto" or in PS/PSE by Control-clicking on the thumbnail and selecting "Edit in External Editor" in the Contextual menu.
Click to view full size
This way you get the best of both worlds.
Happy Holidays

Edit in External Editor Oddity

After using Photoshop Elements to make some edits to a photo I'll save it, close it and come back to iPhoto. Oddly, the edits don't appear when viewing the photo back in iPhoto (in any of the edit options: Edit, Edit in Separate Window, Edit in Fullscreen) but the changes do appear if I Edit in External Editor or export the image.
It's iPhoto '08 version 7.1.1 (354).
Any ideas?

Murray:
You are making sure you're saving as a jpg file and not a psd file, right?
Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
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 created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), 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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

"Edit in External Editor" PSE 13

I've recently upgraded Photoshop Elements to version 13.0. In iPhoto (9.5.1) I have set the preferences to Edit Photos: in Photoshop Elements (the 13 icon.
Now from a control-click "edit in external editor" selection the action opens PSE13, but no photo is transferred for editing as was the case in the earlier version. Is this no longer supported - or have I missed a set-up step?

If PSE13 is installed similar to PSE 10 look for a folder inside the Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 folder called Support Files and select Adobe Photoshope Elements Editor.app.
FWIW the following may be of help in using PSE as the external editor with iPhoto:
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window
that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Screenshots are from PSE 10
Note 1: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
Note 2: editing a RAW file with either PSE or PS creates a new file which must be saved outside of iPhoto, i.e. the Desktop, and imported as a new photo into the iPhoto Library.

Quality of "Edit in External Editor"

If I right click a photo and choose "Edit in External Editor" am I getting the original copy sent over to Photoshop or am I getting a dumbed down version?

Yes, you are working on the original file unless you've edited the photo previously in iPhoto. Then you'll be working on the modfied version in your external editor. If you do the correct method the edited version will be saved as the modified jpeg file in iPhoto thus preserving the original as the digital negative. This is what I'm referring to as the correct method:
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window
that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Note: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
OT

"edit in external editor" doesn't work for me

Hello,
I am having trouble getting iPhoto to allow me to edit in an external editor.
I went to preferences and chose Photoshop CS3 as my external editor and I set my "double clicks photo" to "edits photos", but when I try to right click and "edit in external editor" I click on it but nothing happens.
I also tried leaving PS CS3 open but still nothing happens.
Also, when I try to double click to edit the photo, nothing happens either. Even if I set iPhoto to "edit in main window" it doesn't go to edit mode by double clicking.
I'm not really sure what the problem is, so if somebody can help me understand this, that would be great.

yurickim:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. First delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your User/Library/Preferences folder and try again. If that doesn't help log into another account and try there. If you don't have a second account create one as it's a great troubleshooting too. It it works in the second account there's something amiss with your current account. It could be a bad preference file, other than iPhoto's, that could be causing the problem. Here's how to verify if that's the case:
Trouble Shooting Preferences in Leopard
1 - Create a folder titled "Preferences A" on the Desktop.
2 - Open the working Preferences folder, HD/Users/your_name/Library/Preferences, and move the contents to the Preferences A folder on the Desktop.
3 - Make a duplicate copy of the Preferences A folder on the Desktop as a precautionary backup.
4 - With the working Preferences folder empty run the application again and determine if the problems is fixed.
5 - If the problem is fixed:
A - open the working Preferences folder (HD/Users/your_name/Library/Preferences).
B - Open the Preferences A folder on the Desktop, select all of the contents and drag them into the working Preferences folder.
C - When the Copy window pops up check the "Apply to All" check box and then click on the Don't Replace button as seen here.
6 - If the problem is NOT fixed, empty the working Preferencess folder and move the contents of the Preferences folder on the desktop back into it.
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 created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), 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. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Iphoto file does not open in external editor

I have selected Photoshop Elements as my external editor in iPhoto. When I select a picture file and click 'edit', Photoshop Elements working space opens but the picture does not appear. (Same with Silkypix, the Lumix Raw editor). This is a new bad habit that came with Mavericks.
I can fit both working spaces on the screen and drag the photo into Photoshop Elements, but I should not have to do that.

Which version of Photoshop Elements and iPhoto do you have? The newest version, Adobe Photoshop Elements 12?
Other than the previous versions of Elements, Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 installs the editor directly at the top-level of the Applications folder, so there are no longer any nested folders to select the editor application from.
But there is a weird glitch, when I try to use it as an external editor in iPhoto.
When I select a photo in iPhoto 9.5.1 and ctrl-click it and use the command "Edit in External Editor" from that panel, Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 opens with an empty window, like you reported.
This does not work: Elements launches on an empty window:
But when I use the "Edit" button in the footer of the iPhoto window and double click it, Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 will open with the photo in the Editor window.
This does work:
So, for the time being, use the Edit button to launch your external editor, if you are also using iPhoto 9.5.1 with Mavericks 10.9.4.

How do you edit photos with photoshop from the new Photos app? The edit in external editor menu item seems to be gone.

How do you edit photos with photoshop from the new Photos app? The edit in external editor menu item seems to be gone.

Tell Apple what additional features you want in Photos via both http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html and http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphoto.html since they don't have a feedback page for Photos as yet.

IPhoto: No option to edit in external editor

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