IPhoto Organization Rolls & Folders

Hello everyone. This is my first post. Thanks for being here and available to answer questions. I did look at several pages of posts to see if I could find an answer to my question. Maybe I looked in the wrong spot. I also tried the search function. I'm sure my question has been already asked, and I apologize in advance for my inability to find it "already asked and answered."
I've had my Mac for about a year. I'm not adept. I have been taking digital pictures, and things work great in iPhoto.
I just began a .Mac "group." I was able, also, to upload photos. The organization "tree" seems to be built around film rolls rather than albums. My film rolls are a sorry mess. I have 159 of them. Many with just 1 photo -- maybe an image I found online that l liked. That sort of thing. A few rolls, do have many photos from my camera. Makes it very difficult to find a photo from inside .Mac when there's 159 rolls). I've managed by relying on the photo's name, and doing it that way. Though that's a bit cumbersome because I cannot scroll through a batch of photos or review them and mull over which ones I'd like to use and not use.
I'd like to see a "tree" like this = iPhoto > Library > Albums
I see, if I recall correctly = iPhoto > Originals/Modified > Rolls
So, I guess I have to whip my film rolls into some sort of shape. I tried to drag 1 photo into a roll containing a photo or photos with the idea of combining rolls by theme. That attempt did not work. Couldn't drag from roll to roll.
I'm sure a zillion people have run into this. How do you do it? Also, I think I've seen the same tree structure built on rolls when doing other photo things besides .Mac. I can't swear to it due to my unfamiliarity.
Thanks,
Richard

Richard
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Rolls are the most basic element of the iPhoto Library. Rolls in the iPhoto Window (View -> Film Rolls) correspond exactly with the Roll Folders in the Originals Folder in the iPhoto Library Folder. You can move photos between Rolls, you can rename rolls, edit them, create them, as long as you do it via the iPhoto Window. Check out the Info Pane (wee 'i', lower left) the name and date fields are editable. Edit a Roll Name using the Info Pane, the Roll Folder in iPhoto Library Folder/Originals will also have the new name.
To move pics between rolls select the pic and drag it to the header of the target roll. This will turn blue when you're hit the target.
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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

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IPhoto Organize Library or Manually?

I just got a Rebel XT and now I'm not sure what to do with my iPhoto library. I had been using a small 2 megapixel Canon PowerShot for years and would just import directly into iPhoto on my G5. Before version 6, the library was simply stored in nested numbered folders corresponding to the date the images were shot. Now with version 6, the library is organized completely differently. Plus, If I use the Canon ImageBrowser software to import the SLR pictures, they are organized differently. In addition, I want to keep all my images on a drive that is on a different Mac on my home network.
What do I do? What did you do?
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Thanks,
-= Ken =-
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Ken:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. How you manage your photos is really what works best for you and how you visualize the organizational system. Here's how I do it:
1 - upload manually (with card reader or with Image Capture w/o card reader) from the camera to a folder on the desktop.
2 - name the folder with the date and a brief description of the contents.
3 - using R-Name I batch sequentially rename the files with the international date format.
4 - import that folder into iPhoto.
This gives me a rolls with the same title as the folder. The file naming gives me excellent chronological search and sorting.
Another method, using the same uploading and renaming above, is to use iPhoto in it's alias mode (see iPhoto's advanced preference section) and keep my folders of image files in my own organized folder system and have iPhoto import only aliases into the library. One caveat to this method is that if you delete a photo from the library it does not get deleted from the source files. That has to be done manually. The strong point to this method is that the source files can be on an external HD giving your boot drive more free space to improve efficiency. These Tutorials describe how to convert to an alias system.
Canon's image browser is just a browser and not an image management application. With iPhoto you can assign keywords to pictures, assemble subsets of pictures into albums without actually moving the original files, etc.
Do you Twango?

IPhoto organization

I'm wondering how some other users with lots of photos organize them in iPhoto. I've been struggling with finding the right way for me for a while now and am debating if iPhoto is for me or not. I'm used to and enjoy the 'Windows' way of sorting by having multiple folders (main 'subject'>sub folders for specifics) and using iPhoto's events and albums just don't quite fit for me. On the event side I don't want to have lots of events, for what I would consider 'sub' categories, shown in the events and at the same time, I don't want to have multiple category photos in one event AND don't really like using albums.
Example:
|-Trips
|---Bay
|-----Mountains
|-----Campground
|-Cars
|---Make
|-----Modifications
|-------specific event 1
|-------specific event 2
|---Make
If that makes any sense. I know there is no way to place events within events and most would suggest using albums but I don't like how the albums and events don't 'sync' with each other and I know that is the point. :P I currently have it setup so that all of my photos for a particular 'subject' are in one event and then separated into albums for the sub categories for that event. I prefer to browse by event rather than album and the only way I can set it up to sort that way would be by having LOTS of events...which I'm trying to avoid. I'm starting to think that iPhoto just isn't for me based on the way I want to organize but I like everything else about it, hence the struggle.
Message was edited by: MonkikiX

MonkikiX:
You can't exactly duplicate the nested folder system in iPhoto as each imported folder becomes a separate Event and folder within the iPhoto Library package. Events cannot be nested. However, iPhoto has virtual folders which can be used to recreate the nesting as seen in this screenshot:
These virtual folders can contain other folder as well as albums, slideshows, books, smart albums, etc. Albums can only contain photos.
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.
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IPhoto 6 library, folders, slideshows, over 8000 photos are all gone,

I shutoff my computer. The next morning upon booting up, iPhoto 6 was missing. I could find the libaries by years in my document folder, but I want my folders and slideshows, too. That is step one for organizing and in using my integrated program. I had several chapters ready to import into iMovie. I hate to start from scratch if I don't have to. I tried use restore in my Time Machine. It didn't work either. I received an error message -10657. Does anyone have a recovery solution and/or a notion as to what caused this to happen?
KayCee

Terence Devlin wrote:
1) Yes, I still have the program, iPhoto 6.0.6 on my computer; it's just empty.
Sounds like a damaged database file:
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD
Thanks for the solution. I had to go to the "if all else fails" scenario, and I can rebuild my folders. I appreciate your help more than I can say!
KayCee

Missing Photos after rename and organize Rolls

Hi. I had a bunch of Rolls in my iPhoto Library\Originals folder for each year. In many cases there was just 1 picture in a Roll and hundreds of rolls. So I renamed a few Rolls to more meaningful names and moved pictures around into these Rolls. Then I deleted the empty Roll. I thought I was doing a great job in reducing hundreds of Rolls down to a handful.
Problem is, now when I open iPhoto, the thumbnail still seems to be there ( meaning I can see the pictures) but when I click on the picture I get the "Missing Photo Indicator", i.e. the gray box, instead of the actual picture. I even Emptied the Trash so I fear I have lost the photos.
I thought I read somewhere about re-indexing iPhoto in cases like this. Is that correct. If so How?
Otherwise, Please help me figure out how to get iPhoto to find my photos in their new / renamed Rolls.

Brad
You made these changes in the Finder, yes?
It is strongly advised that you do not move, change or in anyway alter things in the iPhoto Library Folder as this can cause the application to fail and even lead to data loss
If you have made these changes in the finder, then I'm afraid that you'll either have to return things to the way they were or if you cannot then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same film rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library Folder on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual rolls to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library Folder on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Rolls in the iPhoto Window (View -> Film Rolls) correspond exactly with the Roll Folders in the Originals Folder in the iPhoto Library Folder. You can move photos between Rolls, you can rename rolls, edit them, create them, as long as you do it via the iPhoto Window. Check out the Info Pane (wee 'i', lower left) the name and date fields are editable. Edit a Roll Name using the Info Pane, the Roll Folder in iPhoto Library Folder/Originals will also have the new name.
Regards
TD

Elements importing photos from iPhoto into nonsensical folders - how do I convert events or import into dated folders from iPhoto into elements?

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The whole point of a program like organizer is to ignore the folders and use tags and categories instead. However, if you want to preserve the iphoto events then the way to do it is not to use "from iphoto" but rather to export each event from iphoto separately, organize your folders how you want them, where you want them and then use "from files and folders" instead.

Can someone please tell me how iPhoto deals with folders?

.. or direct me to an Apple paper on the subject.
I have recently come over from Windows where my photo library of 7,000 photos organised under Photoshop Elements simply seemed to have the photos in a single folder. Now I see there are original, data and modified folders all holding more or less equal quantities of files by year. What's going on? If I wanted to use another program to manage the photos such as Aperture or Lightroom would it be able to cope with all this?
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Jadw59
A Note about the iPhoto Library Folder:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
This allows the Photos -> Revert to Original command - very useful if you don't like the changes you've made.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Yes you can integrate your iPhoto Library with external editors and other apps. In the case of editors you can set them so that when you double click a pic in the iPhoto Window it opens automatically in the editor or your choice, and saving in the editor again automatically saves the pic back into iPhoto.
In the case of Aperture you can import an iPhoto library straight into Aperture, iPhoto can also read Aperture libraries. I'm not sure about Lightroom.
If you're concerned with finding pics, remember that it all can be done via the iPhoto Window - the is simply never a need to go into the Folders in the iPhoto Library Folder. There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
Rolls in the iPhoto Window correspond exactly with the Roll Folders in the Originals Folder in the iPhoto Library Folder. You can move photos between Rolls, you can rename rolls, edit them, create them, as long as you do it via the iPhoto Window. Check out the Info Pane (wee 'i', lower left) the name and date fields are editable. Edit a Roll Name using the Info Pane, the Roll Folder in iPhoto Library Folder/Originals will also have the new name.
So, not quite a complicated as it seems at first.
Regards
TD

PSE9 - organizer - move folders

Hi,
I have a problem with moving folders to another in Organizer. After the move, the content of moved folder has random pictures in it!
What's wrong?
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That's exactly how I did it - but the result was a mess up of the content.
Could it be, that my catalog is corrupt or that PSE9 cannot handle my < 10'000 pictures?
I've ran a optimize/repair of the catalog, but the result is still the same. The catalog I'm using is from an old PC with PSE4. I've used backup/restore to move to this new PC. Unfortunately, with Backup/Restore the whole folder structure is flat now - so I wanted to correct this and would like to organize my folders with a better structure.
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Can I change the location of adobe organizer file folders in Elements 11 from my c to d drive ?

Can I change the location of adobe organizer file folders in Elements 11 from my c to d drive ?
My laptop, which uses Windows 7, came with the hard drive divided between a C and D drive. the C drive, where all the programs load, is nearly full, and I would like all the photos and videos that adobe elements organizer finds and that I download into load on my nearly empmty and spacious D drive.
In other programs I can change this is file prefernces, but I cant find that feature in elements.
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Team Ben Hur
SG will probably have more to say about his reply, but in the meanwhile you might want to check out Premiere Elements 11/Elements Organizer 11/File Menu/Catalog Manager... and the Custom Location option. I suspect that is what both of you have in mind?
When Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 are installed on the same computer, they share a common Elements Organizer (catalog) although they can be purchased as standalone products each with its own Elements Organizer (catalog).
ATR

Please Help: Lost Acrobat 8 Organizer Collection Folders when installing Acrobat 9

I guess it should have been obvious...but after installing Acrobat 9 Pro...from version 8 Pro...all of my Organizer collections are not there at all....gone. (I have the old \organizer70 folder on a backup)
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This (conversion) should have been obvious when upgrading. I even tried copying the directory from 8 into the same subdirectory as 9...but no luck.
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Thanks for answering.... :)
This is unbelieveable.....it's like they just ignored folks who love the organizer.
That's really what makes it worth it to me.
Ok...
Is there anyway to copy the History file(s)...from Acrobat 8 to 9?
I figure....I clear the history in 8....then open up a collection folder's multiple files at one time....you know, to establish a new history of files for this day....on another PC....then copy that file to my PC...and put it in Acrobat 9's place. Hoping that Acrobat 9 will open the history files...which I can then save as a new collection in the Organizer...and rename the folder the same as I had it named in Acrobat 8.
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IPhoto 5 to 6 -- date folders versus roll folders

I had to back up my machine and reinstall everything this spring. I also upgraded my iPhoto from 5 to 6. I want to go back and collect my photos on my backup disk (which are all categorized by month/day folders as was the nature of 5.0) and put them in the new iPhoto library. I tried once (for the month of March) and copied the 03 file into the DATA folder but iPhoto did not recognize them. Then I moved 03 to ORIGINALS and still no recognition. Should I have put them somewhere else? Before this I was importing individual images which was pretty tedious.
THX in advance.
jc

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Do you have the entire iPhoto Library folder intact on your backup disk? If so, simply copy the entire folder over to your preferred hard drive. Rename the folder first, so you don't overwrite any existing iPhoto library. You can place it in your Pictures folder with the existing library, but do not place it inside another iPhoto library folder.
To open the library with version 6, hold down the Option key as you launch iPhoto. Select "Choose Library" then navigate to the iPhoto Library folder and click Open. You will get a message that iPhoto needs to update the library and that it will no longer be readable by previous versions. (This is when iPhoto will reorganize the library to the roll-based structure.) Allow it, and the library should then open and function with v6.
There is no direct way to add this library to the other library. You could keep the 2 libraries separate and use Option-launch to select the one of your choice. To merge both libraries into one, you can use iPhoto Library Manager. It is the only way to move photos from one library to another while preserving the library metadata. Much less tedious than importing all photos and redoing the organization from scratch.
Regards.

How do I sync camera roll folders to iPhoto?

Hey everyone. I'm at a loss... can't seem to find an answer to my question.
I've taken hundreds of photos on my new 4S and organzied them into folders on my phone. When I try to import them to iPhoto, it seems like the only way to get them on to my computer is to import them all in one big lump. Is there any way to keep the folders that I've created and import them with me when I transfer them to iPhoto?
Thanks.

Maybe you've solved your issue, I'll not be of much help. I just discovered that deleting a photo from the camera roll will also delete it from the created album. How stupid is that? Isn't that sort of what the "photo library" is for? Typical Apple: one boneheaded feature away from being absolutely incredible"! At any rate, I'm guessing this has something to do with your quandary. I now have to go though and make sure I don't lose any photos next time I tackle the camera roll/sync (I'm on PC, once a month or so I typically dump my camera roll into a folder, then put those photos in the corresponding folders I've created on the PC. This is going to complicate that process in sure). Good luck (my wife uses Mac and iPhoto is a mess. I won't go near that stupid program)

Can I re-organize the folders in the iPhoto Library?

I don't understand the way the files are organized in my iPhotos Library folder.
When i open the folder in finder I am completly confused as to where my actual pictures are kept.
If I want to copy/ backup only specific pictures how can I find them? Are they in the originals folder or the edited folder there seems to be the same files in both?
Is there anyway I can make it more logcal like iTunes?

crease-up
It is strongly advised that you do not move, change or in anyway alter things in the iPhoto Library Folder as this can cause the application to fail and even lead to data loss
Remember iPhoto is a consumer level database, not just a image viewer. It has a built-in image viewer, version control and lightweight editing.
Here's how the iPhoto Library Folder is structured:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
This allows the Photos -> Revert to Original command - very useful if you don't like the changes you've made.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
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.
If you feel that the use of space is too great, I would recommend storing your pics on an external HD. This is easily done.
In relation to Aperture, AFAIK it uses non-destructive editing, but there is a major compromise to be made on ease of use and cost. For the price difference you could easily afford a 250GB HD and still have change.
Check out the Aperture forum for more info.
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=184
Regards
TD

IPhoto--where are folders names and organization stored?

I am using FolderShare to move my i Photos between my laptop and home desktop computer. I have successfully moved the actual photos but not sure which file stores the organized folder names with which photos go in each folder. Any one know which one to copy over? (Or is it several?)

Hi James,
You need to copy over the ENTIRE iPhoto Library folder to keep a working library. all albums, slideshows, books info are stored in data files. Everything needs to be together to work properly.
what is the end result you are trying to accomplish?
do you want to be able to open the library with iPhoto on the other computer with all Albums, keywords, etc. intact?
Lori

IPhoto Albums to Folders in Finder?

OK...I think I'm getting the hang of the iPhoto system. I had all of my photos organized in folders on my PC. I have now learned that when I drag each folder into iPhoto an album is automatically created. COOL! But...
What about going the other way? If I ever want to burn some photos on a CD and would like to have those photos organized as I have them on the album? I know that there may come "a day" when I need to transport pics and view, org, print, on a PC and I want to view my organization. I tried to drag the album into the finder and it won't take. I also tried exporting but it exports the files and not the album. I'd have to manually create all the folders in Finder one at a time and than export the appropriate photos into them. Is there a simpler way?
I'm definitely more comfortable using iPhoto. Now, I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not in a bind later.
Thanks in advance for your help!

chnewtomac;
To move a photo to another roll you must drop it on the roll icon/title. Not in side the roll if it is open. That gets a lot of users at first.
As far as those deleted files are concerned check the iPhoto Trash bin. Hitting the delete key on a selected photo in a roll only moves it to the iPhoto Trash bin. You need to empty the trash with either the CommandShiftDelete key combination or the iPhoto->Empty Trash menu option.
Do you Twango?
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 written 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

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