Libraries in iPhoto 6

I just received my iPhoto 6 and I'm getting lost with regard to libraries.
According to the help menu, each time I want to make a new library, I have to either re-name the library or move it someplace else. Then I'm supposed to open iPhoto and it will present me with an empty new library, which, I presume, after I import new photos, I'm supposed to move to a new location or rename, and on and on.
Question 1 -- am I reading the help menu correctly? If so, is there an easier more direct way of doing this step?
Question 2 -- if that is true, what do I do with my some 3,000 photos that currently sit in my library, which makes me crazy? Do I have to export the albums, back them up to a DVD or CD, re-name the current library for safety purposes, and then re-import each album as a new library? Or is there an easier, simpler way of doing things, she asks ever so hopefully?
Thanks so much.
susan

ok, I got it now.
Yes, it can be done.
First you need to organize your library with Albums.
Make sure a photo is in only one album.
Make sure all photos are in an album.
Now there are three ways you can go about this.
1) If you don't need to keep any metadata with the photos such as keywords, comments:
Export your albums to the desktop by selecting an album, go to File>export, use the Album name as the naming scheme and create a new folder with the Album name to export the photos into. This will give you a folder for each album on the desktop.
or
You can use iPhoto Album extractor that will extract the photos from an album and put them in a folder with the Albums name on the desktop.
iPhoto Album Extractor
You would then drag the library out of the Pictures folder, launch iPhoto to create a new library, then import some of the albums into the new library.
Close iPhoto
Launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and choose to create a new library. Name your new library and import some more albums .
Do this for each new library you want to create.
2) Download and pay for iPhoto Library Manager which will let you create new libraries to import albums from your other library into. This way preserves most of your metadata.
iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.
3.) Organize all your photos in albums as noted in the first suggestion.
Select the albums you want in your first library, hit the burn button.
iPhoto will create a new mountable library with the albums you selected and burn that library to disc. This disc can then be inserted into your computer and the library will mount within your current library for you to view. This is so you can quickly see what is on the CD. Most of your metadata should also be preserved.
do this for each group of albums.
Now you will have CDs with a mountable library, each library containing your selected albums.
To get all these libraries in your partition, external, or another computer or folder, insert each CD, double click the CD to open it. Drag the iPhoto Library within the CD to the partition, external, folder.
Do this for each CD containing a library.
To switch between libraries use the Option key when launching iPhoto, or use a library Manager like iPhoto Library manager in the link above.

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HELP!! I had two libraries in iPhoto, Photos imported the wrong one, and now I have lost 10,000 photos. How can I get them back??

I originally had two libraries in iPhoto, my wife and I share two iMacs at different locations but we wanted to share the photos and it was set up this way Apple Geniuses at the store I have no idea why. Anyway, I updated to OS X Yosemite Version 10.10.3 with the new 'photos' app. It asked me to choose one of the libraries and evidently I assume I must have chosen the wrong one. It only imported 322 random photos, not the 10,000+ we had in iPhoto. I can no longer find these photos or the other library anywhere, it appears to have been deleted. I have tried 'alt' clicking the icon which used to open a 'choose library' box, but this no longer works in photos or iPhoto. I have no idea where it has gone and it contains precious memories over the years including the birth of our children. Can someone please help???

Where is your iPhoto library stored?
my wife and I share two iMacs at different locations but we wanted to share the photos and it was set up this way Apple Geniuses at the store I have no idea why.
Since you are sharing it between two Macs, is the library on an external drive or a NAS, or another remotely mounted volume?
If the library is not on a directly connected disk, formatted MacOS Extended, move the original iPhoto Library to a directly connected, correctly disk.
And the try first the iPhoto Library First Aid Tools on that library. Repair the permissions, and repair the database in iPhoto. Then try to migrate again to Photos.
To repair hold down the alt/option and the command key simultaneously while double clicking the iPhoto Library to launch the iPhoto Library First Aid tools. Hold down both keys firmly and long enough, until the First Aid panel will appear.
The select "Repair Permissions". And then repeat, but select "Repair Database"
But make a current backup of your iPhoto Library before you try this.

Multiple Libraries in iPhoto

I have a critical need to have multiple libraries in iPhoto primarily to reduce the total amount of photos in one file. These have been created and put in a desktop folder for easy access. I am sure a professional photographer would need multiple libraries, primarily one for each photo session then when have the subjects in for a viewing would need FAST access to the individual libraries and using preferences is by no means quick. Now, there are two primary problems that have come up though the first would be eliminated after the photos have been categorized into their assorted libraries.
First: How to move photos to the other files.
Second: How to open the file wanted without having to go through the rigamarole of changing the preferences every time. In other words, why can't I double click the library I want and have it automatically switch to that file as primary?
Sparkgapper

First: How to move photos to the other files.
Easiest way: use iPhoto Library Manager
How to open the file wanted without having to go through the rigamarole of changing the preferences every time. In other words, why can't I double click the library I want and have it automatically switch to that file as primary?
You can.
Or Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
There's been no need to edit the preferences since iPhoto 6.
I am sure a professional photographer would need multiple libraries,
A professional wouldn't be using an app like iPhoto. A Pro would be using an app like Aperture, with - perhaps - one Project per shoot. In fact, you can do that with iPhoto and one Event per shoot.
Regards
TD

I have multiple libraries in iPhoto. When I follow the instructions User/Pictures/iPhoto library/Show package contents/Master /Duplicate I have no problem. When I go thru the same sequence but with iPhoto Galapagos I cannot duplicate its master file. What

I have multiple libraries in iPhoto. When I follow the instructions: User/Pictures/iPhoto library/Show package contents/Master /Duplicate I have no problem importing these image. When I choose the file titled...Pictures/iPhoto Galapagos I am unable to show package contents/Master and duplicate the images in this file. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks

have multiple libraries in iPhoto. When I follow the instructions: User/Pictures/iPhoto library/Show package contents/Master /Duplicate I have no problem importing these image. When I choose the file titled...Pictures/iPhoto Galapagos I am unable to show package contents/Master and duplicate the images in this file. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks

Problems with old Libraries in iPhoto '09 Version 8.0.4

A couple months ago I upgraded to iLife '09 and few days ago I software updated iPhoto to version 8.0.4.
I have numerous iPhoto libraries created with an older version of iPhoto (not sure which) because I have alway found iPhoto to become balky and bog down if the libraries become too large, so every few months I rename the library and move it to an external drive and create a new library in iPhoto. Accessing the libraries was never a problem.
Today I attempted to open one of the older libraries with iPhoto '09, and everything seemed okay after the initial update to the library completed, but now I see that many of the older JPG images will not open to edit or magnify when I double click them. This is true of some but not all JPG images, it does not seem to be a problem with RAW files.
I also can not drag them out of iPhoto onto the desktop or into a folder, and I am unable to export them, either. Also, whereas the older version of iPhoto allowed me to access photos through the library folder, after the library update into '09, that organizational system is gone and there is only a library icon in its place with no access to the files.
So now I have no way to edit, copy, or export many JPG files, and I can not access them in the newly updated/converted library file. Except for viewing them as thumbnails, they are essentially gone.
Any suggestions on how to recover the "lost" JPGs, and any suggestion about what to do with all of my other older libraries?
Thanks...

Hmmm,
I installed iPhoto Library Manager and rebuilt the library...
Seems to be okay at first inspection, except that many of the photos are now rotated (appear normal in window, rotated 90-270 degrees when double clicked to edit)...
I also got an error message saying the 229 photos could not be found because the originals could not be located, but everything seems to be here...
Problem solved...?

Would having several Libraries in iPhoto 08 complicate an upgrade to iPhoto 11?

I have iPhoto 08 running on a 2007 iMAC. I would like to upgrade to iPhoto 11. Others have apparently had problems upgrading iPhoto. It seems if problems occur the solution, from earlier threads, seems to be to rebuild the library, or to down load a Library Manager software and go thru some further process.
I have four iPhoto Libraries - I wonder if the presence of several libraries in iPhoto 08 could complicate an upgrade to iPhoto 11 and if so if there is anything that could be done before the upgrade to reduce the chances of a problem.
Thanks

No. Having multiple libraries has no effect on the upgrade of the applicaiton. They are separate entities. However, be sure you have current backups of those libraries before openning them with iPhoto 9.5 for the first time.
Also since they are iPhoto 7 (08) libraries you'll have to download and run this upgrater on each library before opening them with the new iPhoto: iPhoto Library Upgrader 1.1
OT

Two Libraries In iPhoto?

I would like to have 2 completely separate Libraries in iPhoto, one for personal pictures and the other for work related.
If this is possible:
(1) How do I set up and name my 2nd. Library?
(2) How do I transfer images from my existing Library to the new Library without having them remain in the original Library?

Julian:
As Terence suggested iPLM can move rolls between libraries while preserving the comments and keywords. I use it to manage 10+ libraries.
iPLM really makes using two or more libraries very easy and quick.
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.

Merging libraries in iphoto?

How do you merge libraries in iphoto 11?

Open library 1, then file > show in finder > original foto.
Open the other library and drag&drop the photo's from the finder (=other library).
does not mention using the iPhoto application
And even if you do drag the original photos fom one iPhoto library into iPhoto and import them into another library - you are NOT merging libraries - you are import pphotos to a library - none of the version, metadata, albums, etc, etc come over - just the photos which is not the same as merging libraries
The only current solution to merging libraries is the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -
LN

Can't Open iPhoto 6 Libraries in iPhoto 7

I can't seem to open any of my iPhoto 6 Libraries in iPhoto 7, even in iPhoto 6 on another computer than the original it doesn't work.
The only way I can open them now is using iPhoto Buddy on the original machine with iPhoto 6. But even here I can't add any of the libraries that aren't listed in iPhoto Buddy's catalog. The only Libraries I can open are the ones that are listed in the iPhoto Buddy Catalog, and this only on the original machine with iPhoto 6.
In any other circumstance they are greyed out.
They show in the format "Library6.iPhoto"
I tried renaming them, but that doesn't help either.
I need to wipe this machine and am desperately looking for a way to migrate all my libraries to a newer computer and iPhoto 7.
Did anybody else experience this problem?
Thanks for any hints!
Christoph

Christoph
Are you pointing iPhoto to the iPhoto Library Folder and not to any of the Files inside?
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point it at the iPhoto Library Folder. F iPhoto sees a valid library there it will open it. If not, then it suggests that the Libraries are damaged.
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.
or for v7
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) 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 Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
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 (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event 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

I have 2 libraries in iPhoto 09 but I can only see one in apple tv, the last one I viewed in I iPhoto why ?

I have 2 libraries in iPhoto 09 but I can only see one in apple tv, the last one I viewed in I iPhoto why ?

iTunes sees what iPhoto sees, iPhoto only sees one library at a time.
Either merge your libraries or upload content from one of your libraries to a service such as Flickr and use the Flickr feature on the Apple TV.

Saving / Moving Libraries in iPhoto

I don't remember how, but when I first got my macbook (the latest white one) I managed to tell iphoto to save all my images to plug in external hard drive. I now have a portable external hard drive and I've been finding it a nightmare to tell iphoto to stop saving my photos to my external plug in hard drive, but to my portable one instead. It isn't working. I've tried the whole holding down Alt while opening iphoto after having dragged the iphoto library to my portable external hard drive, but that hasn't worked.
Can anyone please help as it's driving me crazy?!?!
Ooh, I should probably mention it's iphoto '09.
Thanks,
Taya

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
You're going to need to explain things a little better.
Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
If you're running a Managed library, then it's the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing
If you're running a Referenced Library, then you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing.
To choose between Libraries:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
What's not working about this?
Regards
TD

I have two libraries within iPhoto, however can't find or open the non-default library and can't find a way to even locate the non-default library.

My iPhoto software got set up with two separate libraries of photos, one marked as default. I have saved photos to the non-default library, however now can't seem to find a way to open the non-default library. Every once in a while when I open iPhoto it will ask me, but usually it just opens the default library. How can I open the non-dafult library of photos?

When you launch iPhoto with the option key depressed you'll get this window:
Click to view full size
All libraries on your hard drive (and on external drives) will be listed and the currently used library will be listed as (default).
OT

Combining libraries with IPhoto 9.5.1

OK, I've been reading other older posts, so hoping someone can help me with newer versions....I have libraries from an old computer, thumbdrive, desktop, etc, some IPhoto versions are quite old...I want to combine all onto an external drive and make a copy that I keep somewhere else. Since I have an old MacBook Pro (2010) version 10.9.5 (I don't want to upgrade to Yosemite), I want to have my computer look for the library on this external drive and not have all those photos on my laptop. That's what I did with my old desktop...anyway...the issue is how to combine all these libraries which actually have the same name....

First copy all of the libraries you want to merge onto your external hard drive. It should be formatted OS X Extended (journaled). Upgrade all of the libraries to the same version of iPhoto that your current working library is. Rename each library before copying it to the EHD so they don't overwrite each other.
Once that's done you can use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the multiple libraries into a new library.

I have successfully merged multiple iphoto libraries using iphoto-manager. Now I have multiple albums noted with the old iphoto names. CAN I DELETE THOSE?

Now that I have merged multiple iphoto libraries into one -- can I delete the albums that show up with the old library names?

You can do what ever you want - in iPhoto albums are simply pointers to photos so deleting an album has no effect except the album is gone - only when you delete from events or photos view is the photo deleted from the library and disk (after you empty the iPhoto trash and the system trash)
LN

Photo Libraries (in iPhoto 2.0.1)

I am trying to help transfer photos to an external drive to free up start-up disk space.
To open iPhoto, it had to create a new Library which is Library_2. There is also a Library_1 and Library_10 that seems to have the most folders by years (going back to 2004).
Now there are 2 goals:
1)setting up one Library that will hold all photos , in the respective "year" folders, under all the different Libraries I mentioned, and
2)setting up a means to transfer photos to the external drive.
Maybe #2 should be #1, becasue once those pictures are transferred, and disk space is free, then we could start from scratch with the iPhoto application on the hard drive OS. Only question is, when we want to open photos from the external drive, how will that work .
Thanks for any assistance.

Hi Dean,
See this...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2431581&tstart=0

Libraries in iPhoto 6

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