IPhoto or Adobe Bridge

I've used iPhoto for as long as it's been around. I've recently picked up Photoshop & Bridge. Am I correct that Bridge is simply an organization tool, which I already have with iPhoto? I've set iPhoto up so that when I hit the edit button, it opens Photoshop. I'm really curious to see if anyone uses both Bridge & iPhoto and, if so, why/how?

iPhoto will do just about anything that Bridge will. Using Bridge on photos that are in in iPhoto is not recommended because there are too many ways that Bridge can inadvertently damage the iPhoto Library.
Folks who have posted on here about this before tend to use Bridge before importing the pics into iPhoto.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Is there a way to import photos stored in iPhoto into Adobe Bridge CS6?

I am having a problem opening my iPhotos in Adobe Bridge or Photoshop. Any help would be appreciated.

1. Bridge or iPhoto: take your pick. The both do the same job so using both makes no sense. Trying to use them both will add confusion and complexity that you don't need.
2. You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> Advanced -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.

IPhoto: Using Adobe Bridge

I am presently using both iPhoto and FCPX. I only use iPhoto store the photos and images I use in albums. If I need to modify them I take them into Photoshop and then save them backin iPhoto. However, I now have about 5,000 images and feel a need to be able to sort them further and do more global commands on them (such as resize). For this, I really miss using Adobe Bridge. Is there a way to use Adobe Bridge with iPhoto?

Thank you. I am beginning to think I need to investigate exactly what and how much iPhoto really does. I didn't know it was this powerful. I will go to the link you gave me.
I think I am feeling overwhelmed with so many images because I need to find a good way to organize them via keyword (which I know iPhoto does - I just don't know how to select by keyword "yet").
I did like the capability in Bridge of selecting a lot of photos together and resizing them to all the same size in one command (via Photoshop).
I really do need a powerful photo manager so I need to understand how much iPhoto can do for me. I see I also have a lot of duplicates now so my initial idea of sorting by photo album name was not a good idea. I need to use keywords instead.
If iPhoto doesn't allow me to resize a batch of photos in one command, for the few times I need to do it, I can always export them into a folder and then do it in Photoshop because I would want to retain the photo in its original size anyway.
Now to the link you gave me . . .

Importing photos from iphoto to adobe bridge

Ultimately I want to put all my photos on adobe bridge and use iphoto as a way to easily update my website. I did not know if there was a seamless way to properly take all of my photo files from iphoto and put them with adobe bridge.
Sorry if I am not making any sense... I have been trying to set up my new computer right and I am 6 hours into it and my head is spinning lol.
Logan

Here are some tips on using Photoshop with iPhoto:
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..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements 6 the Saving File preferences should be configured: "On First Save: Save Over Current File". Also I suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always.
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
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're editing RAW files from within iPhoto with PS you must save the edited version to the Desktop and import as a new file.

IPhoto And Adobe Bridge

My Photoshop came with a program called bridge and it is supposed to be a veiwer from which you select images to edit. My problem is that while I can see iPhoto in the Bridge application when i select it instead of showing thumbnails it opens iPhoto. I have made Photoshop Elements the default editor so i can work around this but it is annoying. Any ideas?
GiffS

GiffS
Bridge is a photo organiser, iPhoto is one. They don't work happily together, using Bridge is a common cause of database corruption seen on here.
Select one or the other to work with.
Regards
TD

IPhoto and Adobe Bridge Workflow

I finally picked up Photoshop CS3 and am curious as to the best method of integrating the applications in the most effective manner.
I do like iPhoto, and I've used it extensively for some time now, but I wonder if it's better suited as simply a program to show and share my completed photos.
Would it be best to use Bridge to organize and work with the photos directly out of my camera (including RAW files) and then merely use iPhoto as the last means of displaying them?
It should be noted that the only Adobe application I use is Photoshop, so there is no need for thorough integration with other Adobe products.
I suppose I'm curious as to how people might make use of Photoshop, Bridge and iPhoto in the most useful way possible.
Thanks in advance.

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..
NOTE: With Photoshop Elements 6 the Saving File preferences should be configured: "On First Save: Save Over Current File". Also I suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always.
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
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..
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger 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 with Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 and Adobe Bridge

I have not used iPhoto before now as I have been downloading photos from my Canon and Nikon cameras using their software. I have now moved everything into iPhoto but cannot find iPhoto using Adobe Bridge so I am unable to do any editing using Elements 4. Previously I could find the Canon and Nikon photos using Adobe Bridge. With a simple click on the relevant photo it opened up in Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 and I was able to edit it. Now using Bridge I simply cannot find iPhoto thus I cannot use PSE4. Can someone help before I go crazy ? I havde called Apple support but they have been unable to help me and suggested using Discussions@Apple

Many thanks for your quick response although, as a new iMac user, the mere mention of the word "corrupt" scares me ! I previously used a PC with Windows XP and PSE3 and loved being able to sort all my photos into albums with PSE3. Unfortunately the PSE4 which I have installed on my iMac doesn't let users sort their photos into albums and the only alternative is Adobe Bridge. I only recently started to use iPhoto after a visit to an Apple Store and it's great being able to catalog my photos so easily. Unfortunately PSE is far and away superior to any editing software that iPhoto has to offer. Anyway, I'll cross my fingers and try your suggestion first thing tomorrow morning.

Adobe Bridge and IPhoto import

How do I import photos from IPhoto to Adobe Bridge. Or move them to a different folder?
Thanks,
joe

You are talking about two application none of which is Photoshop.
I think you should look for the appropriate Fora.

How do I Export Raw images from Iphoto to Adobe Photo Elements 4

I recently purchased Photo elements 4 because I could import images from Iphoto in Raw format and work with them. Everything I have read and the instructional video sent to me by Adobe make it look and sound very easy but so far I have had no success.
I have been able to open Bridge and view photos from Iphoto so it seems to me that everything that I have in Iphoto is automatically transfered to Elements 4. However I can not find my Raw images. What am I doing wrong or failing to do and is there some logical sequence that I have to follow to import Raw images.
I am using a Nikon D200 and just to be safe I have been shooting so the images are saved both in JPEG and RAW.
Thanks for any help you can provide

dakota8,
iPhoto and Adobe Bridge are incompatible, so you need to decide which one you want to use (for which photos). iPhoto is a database, with many flexible features for organizing your library and finding your photos. Bridge is a file browser with some organizing capabilities. You absolutely should not use Bridge or any other application (Finder included) to browse the files inside your iPhoto Library folder, as it will damage the iPhoto database. To verify, click on iPhoto's Help and read the section "About using the iPhoto Library."
If you want to keep your RAW files in iPhoto, then you'll need to open them from iPhoto. As Dave E said, this can be done by setting the iPhoto pref to export RAW files. You also need to set PE 4 as the external editor in iPhoto's preferences. With this setup, you can select photos using iPhoto, open the RAW files into PE 4, then edit. Now comes the wrinkle in the workflow. Normally, you would do a Save to cause your edited file to be saved back into the iPhoto library. This Save, not Save As, requires that the filename and extension stay the same. Works great with jpeg files. However, once you edit the RAW, the extension (and file format) must change. Save will not work, because any save at this point is treated like a Save As. So you have to Save As to a folder OUTside of your iPhoto Library, and then import it in as a new file. There will be no link between the edited version and its unedited RAW file. You could organize inside iPhoto to display the edited file beside its original RAW, or keep separate rolls for the originals and edits.
With that in mind, you might not want to save the RAW files in iPhoto at all. You could create your own filing system for them, which you would browse using Bridge. Upload using Image Capture to save your files to a folder of your choice. Once you edit the RAW files and save as another format, you could them import into iPhoto for cataloging or further editing. You'll just have to find the system that works best for you.
BTW, don't save your edited RAW files as Adobe RAW. I tried and discovered that iPhoto refuses to import them at all.
I have been able to open Bridge and view photos from Iphoto so it seems to me that everything that I have in Iphoto is automatically transfered to Elements 4.
There's no transferring involved at all. Bridge is rooting directly inside the iPhoto Library folder. Did I mention that it's best to avoid this?
However I can not find my Raw images.
When you import a file it is saved into the Originals folder. Your RAW files are there, along with any video clips you may have imported.
iPhoto automatically creates a jpeg version of your RAW files and stores it in the Modified folder. It has to do this in order to display the picture on your screen. With video clips, a jpeg of the first frame is created for display purposes.
I am using a Nikon D200 and just to be safe I have been shooting so the images are saved both in JPEG and RAW.
If you import both versions into iPhoto, then you have
Originals - RAW
Modified - jpeg
Originals - jpeg
(Modified - jpeg - if you edit the jpeg version or if they are auto-rotated to portrait orientation)
I don't shoot in RAW, so I can't really comment about which workflow would be the most efficient. I just played with it long enough to realize that there is no easy way to do it.
Regards.

Adobe Bridge 4 vs Iphoto 09 using referenced libraries

I've always used iphoto with referenced libraries, usually with no problem with an external HD with my imac. The reason: I don't want to consume my HD with hundreds of photos and video files and large photoshop files. Here's what I would like to do. I recently purchased Apple's new time capsule, and would like to do the following, store all these media files on the time capsule, with iphoto's library on my imac's HD and referencing those media files on the time capsule, wirelessly. My question is, would adobe bridge be a better way to view and track these media files rather than using iphoto? Any insight with either programs would be appreciated.
I do like using iphoto for creating web galleries with mobileme, and the occasional phonebook. In those instances, I usually copy over the files to my hd and copy them into iphoto so there are no corruption issues.
Oh, and the other reason to storing these files on the time capsule is so that my husband's pc laptop and my mac laptop (powerpc G5) would have access to these files too.

1. You know that's not a supported use for a Time Capsule, right?And folks who have tried storing items other than Back Ups on there have had permissions issues etc.
2. Running a Referenced Library is fraught with problems +should anything go wrong+. This is particularly the case where the Library and the files are stored on different volumes. If the path changes in any way you will need to resolve each alias individually. There is no need to have all the photos referenced if you want to store them on an external drive. You can easily run a Managed library from an external disk.
3. I'm not sure what, if anythign, Bridge would bring to the set up. It's a file browser and not a Photo Organiser. You might want to post on an Adobe forum for more on Bridge. The one thing I will tell you is that the "file management" capabilities of Bridge make it lethal to photos also managed by iPhoto.
Regards
TD

Adobe bridge or iphoto with photoshop elements

Hi I am a new Mac user - have come from windows then linux and finally hoping to be less frustrated on a Mac!!
I am just learning about all of the features on iphoto, adobe bridge and elements (which i have used before). I need the editing capacity of elements but am unsure of which photo database / organisational system would be best for me to work with it.
I am not a photographer but have lots of photos and I do a lot of website editing.
Currently I have several versions of an original photo, eg cropped and rescaled to particular dimensions for a particular site and in other dimensions for another site - some sites have 100kb limits, some pictures need to be specific sizes - eg 555 x 135 pixels but don't have such specific size limitations. i currently organise these by putting crop or web or header file name extensions to the original file and save as.
I re-use the files a lot so need to keep the saved versions - otherwise I have to re-edit them each time.
In iphoto it seems that I need to make duplicates of the original to be able to have several versions all side by side to choose from but this will triple or quadruple the hard disk space when i just need to save the versions (much smaller in size) as different files.
Otherwise I think I need to save it to the desktop and then import it which is time consuming and messy.
In bridge it seems more flexible for this particular feature but it doesn't seem to have all the features that iphoto has for other projects like making books, calenders, the face recognition etc.
I know I need to choose between the two and stick with one, but am unsure which would be best.
Is there a way to save various versions of an original in iphoto easily after it is edited in photoshop and to have some system of naming the files so I can see which version it is as it not always easy to see quality differences in a thumbnail?
Thank you very much for your advice.

iPhoto is a Mom and Pop photo organiser and you’re usage is a bit beyond that.
In iphoto it seems that I need to make duplicates of the original to be able to have several versions all side by side to choose from but this will triple or quadruple the hard disk space when i just need to save the versions (much smaller in size) as different files.
Yes you will. Aperture has the ability to have different versions from one Master.
Otherwise I think I need to save it to the desktop and then import it which is time consuming and messy.
Hard to see what that would save really.
Is there a way to save various versions of an original in iphoto easily after it is edited in photoshop and to have some system of naming the files so I can see which version it is as it not always easy to see quality differences in a thumbnail?
No, you can’t have different versions from one Master (see above) but if you duplicate a file you can give the dupe a title.
Regards
TD

Using Adobe Bridge and iPhoto together

I use Adobe Bridge (and Photoshop) to work on my photos. iPhoto is not an option since I shoot in Camera RAW. I also own an Apple TV and want to store all of my photos in iPhoto so they are available to the rest of my family via Apple TV. Has anyone figured out a way to do image manipulation first in Bridge & Photoshop and then have them sent (or later updated) in iPhoto in an automated fashion?
Conceptually, every time I add or change a photo in Bridge or Photoshop, I'd like to convert it to JPG, and add or modify the image in iPhoto.

Also make sure PS's File handing preferences "Macimize PSD and PSB File Compatibility" is set to Always and that there are no alpha channels in the file. An alpha channel will cause the black image that you're referring to.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger 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.

Using Adobe Bridge file structure with iPhoto (latest version)

I use Adobe Bridge and have all my pics in named folders in Pictures/PICS/Folder Names. Inside the PICS folder is the iPhoto Library (only a few pics in it). Is there any way I can use the file structure I have set up with Bridge and iPhoto (latest) simultaneously? I really dont want to import (copy) all my pics into IPhot because I am pretty sure I will end up with two versions of each. I havent been able to manage pics manually the way I like to in older versions of iPhoto.

Here's some info to help you setup Photoshop for use 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..
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.
OT

I've been using Iphoto as a primary download program for years. As of today, when I click a thumbnail to open the photo, I get a black screen with an exclamation mark on some shots. Also, these shots can't be dragged into Adobe Bridge. Would love help!

I use Iphoto as my primary download tool, then drag images into Adobe Bridge. Just today, when I tried to open a photo by clicking a thumbnail, all I got was an image of an exclamation mark and I couldn't drag the shot either. These are images I've successfully opened and dragged before. I would love guidance from anyone who knows a fix for this. Thanks! John

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
What version of iPhoto?
As Larry says, your workflow doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you're using iPhoto only for downloading then you're best off using Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) and just keep the whole database element out if it. If you're using iPhoto also to organise, then what are you using Bridge for? Anything you do in Bridge - or Photoshop - is unavailable in iPhoto if you work this way.
Regards
TD

Moving iPhoto library to Adobe Bridge?

I have a 15GB photo library in iPhoto. Although I like the simplicity of iPhoto for viewing photos, I find the editing facilities too limiting - and the RAW conversion done by iPhoto on import makes a lot of the photos look awful compared to Photoshop.
I have tried using the Adobe Bridge software that comes with Photoshop CS2, and it seems it could be used as a replacement for iPhoto. However, with my libarary currently scattered amonst hundreds of sub-folders in iPhoto. I have not found this organisation suitable to view in Bridge, and if I export my photos from my iPhoto library I'm not sure what the best way to organise them is.
I've also spent a lot of time going through some older photos (from 35mm scanned onto CD at the time of processing) and changing the dates etc so they display in the correct order (holiday photos) and I'm suspecting that this would be lost if I moved the photos out of iPhoto.
Has anybody else been in a similar position, and worked out a good way of managing their photo library? I would quite like to keep the iPhoto library, but unfortunately my main problems are 1) poor quality RAW conversions 2) if I tell iPhoto that I want to edit in Photoshop, it opens the jpg created by iPhoto rather than letting Photoshop do a conversion itself from the RAW file.

I can't help you regarding Adobe Bridge but I've worked out a workflow for moving from iPhoto to iView Media pro. You might use that, using iView in demo mode, to get the files into separate folder with annotations and then use AB to take over at that point. Here's the workflow in case you're interested: iPhoto to iView MediaPro Workflow.

IPhoto or Adobe Bridge

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