Merging iphoto libraries onto a new computer?

I recently purchased a new macbook to replace my aging powerbook and imac.
Each of these computers has its own separate yet redundant iPhoto library and associated files (meaning there are plenty of duplicate photos, but many are unique). Addtionally, the iPhoto programs on these older computers are 2-4 years old. Is there any easy way to merge these two libraries and their associated image files and move it all onto the macbook without losing data about the photos or generating a lot of redundant images/files?
Thanks!

Rename the two Libraries: Library A and Library B.
Copy the two libraries to the new machine.
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. It will ask you to choose a Library. Choose Library A. It will update it to an iPhoto 08 Library
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. It will ask you to choose a Library. Choose Library B. It will update it to an iPhoto 08 Library
Now you have two iPhoto 08 Libraries.
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its Merge feature to merge the two libraries.
Regards
TD

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Merging iTunes libraries onto a new computer?

Hi,
I just purchased a new macbook and I want to sell my older macs. I have two, each with its own iTunes libraries (and associated files). These libraries are highly redundant, but not identical.
Is there an easy way to merge them and move them onto the new computer without being plagued by duplicates?
Thanks in advance

Unfortunately, no, it is hard to somehow automerge a couple libraries and avoid duplicates. iTunes is very stupid in that it is no able to determine duplicate files and so treats all files the same and adds them all. Which is good because you don't want iTunes determining three tracks are the same song because they have the same artist and song title and throwing two in the trash when in fact one was a studio version, another a live version and the other an alternate outtake version. You would make a lot of people angry doing that.
So, iTunes leaves determining if tracks are duplicates up to the user. You can use the command to show duplicates, but that is only to help you determine which songs MIGHT be duplicates and leaves it up to you to make that determination.
Therefore, when adding tracks, like from other libraries, iTunes does not make any attempt to determine, warn, let alone restrict duplicate tracks.
About the only thing I can think of to help is to go into the libraries of the computers you are getting rid of and manually deleting stuff you know are duplicates. For example, on your main library you see you have 8 albums by U2. Go delete those albums from the other libraries. Repeat as necessary to at least get them other libraries reduced considerably. Then it will be much easier to try and determine where they are different to grab the different things to put into the main computer's library.
Good luck,
Patrick

Merge iphoto libraries onto an external HDD

We have 3 macs at the house and they all have different Iphoto libraries. I would like to merge them all onto the one Library of the Imac with an External HDD. The problem is that a bunch of the pictures are on more than one of the computers. I was hoping that there was a way to import them but not import the duplicates like when I import from a camera.

You'll need to use iPhoto Library Manager to merge the Libraries. There is no other way to do it without losing versions or metadata.
Regards
TD

Merging iPhoto libraries on mac with 2 users

Hi, I have iphoto manager but can't figure out how to merge iphoto libraries
I have my daughters macbook as she passed away in May
I used time capsule to move the contents of my macbook to hers but it made as new user
I want all the photos in one library on my user account but I can't choose her iphoto library as
it says I don't have permission
Weird how everything is on one computer but having 2 users seems like you can only access your own stuff
I just want to have all photos on my iphoto
Any help?

This worked thank u so much
Another quick question, iTunes doesn't seem to be aware that id like to use this computer as my new home base
I think I already had it authorized as we shared songs.
I had checked that I wanted certain faces from iPhoto but it included quite a few I didn't have checked
I'm not sure how to tell it this is my "new computer"

Really struggling with 10.10 and merging iPhoto libraries

I imported my old iPhoto Library via firewire (from Mac mini 1.6 10.6 to Mini 2.53 10.10)
My 2.53 has about 1000 images on it, as I had been downloading / using as main computer
I imported old library onto my desktop of Mini 2.53
I opened the file on desktop, iPhoto said did I want to change library (you would have thought it would have offered option to merge), I said yes and then it went through a long process of updating photos. After one failed / crashed attempts and a few hours later ! success ! ... my old photo Library 225GB ... working and still sitting on my desktop.
Now ... next thing I want to do is merge this Library / import into the one I have on my 2.53 mini (1000 or so images)
1st thing ... finder in 10.10 is so poor that you can't navigate, you can't find anything (10.6 x1000 better) so I can't move the desktop iPhoto (old) library) into the picture folder
2nd I open IPhoto and ask to switch (from old library which has now become default) to the one which was on the 2.53 , and there seems to be 2 options iPhoto Library and one option IPhoto Old Library, I select one of the iPhoto Library and then iPhoto says needs to repair but not enough disk space ...
Really unworkable (I am finding 10.10) ... Snow Leopard was so good.
Thanks for your help

Now ... next thing I want to do is merge this Library / import into the one I have on my 2.53 mini (1000 or so images)
iPhoto cannot merge libraries.
You can just switch between the libraries and view them in turn.
If you try to import one library into the other you will create a mess of duplicates - thumbnails, previews, etc. You should be glad, that iPhoto did not let you do this. It would have wrecked your iPhoto library.
To merge iPhoto libraries you can use the full, paid version of iPhoto Library Manager: Fat Cat Software – iPhoto Library Manager
It s a very useful addition to iPhoto and has rescued many libraries.
The other option is to export the photos from library 1 and import the exported photos into library 2.
I select one of the iPhoto Library and then iPhoto says needs to repair but not enough disk space ...
If you are short of storage do all merging and preparing your libraries on the external drive. It is risky to update or work with iPhoto libraries, if you are in danger of running out of storage and having iPhoto crash. That may corrupt your iPhoto library beyond repair.
If you want to use an external drive, if only temporary, make sure the drive has the correct file system. The drive needs to be formatted MacOS Extended (Journaled). See: iPhoto: Issues with FAT32-formatted drives
Format external drives to Mac OS Extended before using with Aperture
Really unworkable (I am finding 10.10) ... Snow Leopard was so good.
It is a large step from Snow to Yosemite. I loved SnowLeopard to. It is well designed and stable, but yosemite has many things to offer.
To see what changed between versions:
OSX Tips Some Changes in Lion
OSX Tips Mountain Lion Changes

I am trying to put the music from my ipod onto my new computer. After installing itunes and connecting my ipod touch a message comes up saying that my ipod is already synced with another library. What can I do to sync it with a new library?

I recently got a new computer and got rid of my old one. I am trying to put the music from my ipod touch onto my new computer but keep getting a message saying that my ipod is already synced with a library and cannot be synced with more than one. How do I access that library on my new computer and if I can't are their other ways for me to put the music on my ipod into my new computer?

Syncing to a new iTunes library or computer will erase your ipod. Only if you back up your iPod manually before syncing, you can restore your device from that backup again. A manual backup does not include the sync process.
Disable autosync in iTunes, connect your iPod to your new computer and right click on it in the device list and choose backup. iTunes will backup your ipod without syncing.
Transfer your purchases the same way, choosing "transfer purchases" this time.
When you connect your iPod for the first time, all media content will be erased. But you can restore your settings and app data from your manual backup afterwards.
Don't forget to set up at least one contact and event on your new computer to be able to merge calendars and contacts when you sync the ipod for the first time.
Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.
There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0
About backups and what's saved: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4946
How to back up and restore:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
How to download apps for free again:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
Saving other data is also described here. How to back up your data and set up as a new device

How can I get my old iTunes music onto my new computer without access to my old computer? I left my previous job and forgot to transfer my music. I bought iTunes match and it shows my old Mac as a device, but I cannot get the music off it.

How can I get my old iTunes music onto my new computer without access to my old computer? I left my previous job and forgot to transfer my music. I bought iTunes match and it shows my old Mac as a device, but I cannot access any of the old music. All I can find are what was on my iPhone, but that's not what I want. I need all my old music from my old Mac, which has been wiped clean by IT at my old job. BUT, I did have iCloud at that time and I thought all my music would be accessible through it. I don't understand the Cloud! And I'm thinking spending $24.99 on iTunes Match was a waste of money because I still can't access my old music.

When you are done with this issue, consider the computer back at the office may still
have access to your iTunes account, and it should be de-auhorized. You can do that
remotely, but be sure you carefully do not mess up your other computer iTunes libraries.
Good luck & happy computing!

Merging iPhoto Libraries into Aperture, How?

I want to merge 6 iPhoto Libraries in my new iMac straight into my newly bought Aperture. All have been opened in Aperture.
I am assuming that onced merged I can then dip into my large Aperture library wherever I like, quickly and easily.
Yesterday I merged 3 libraries into Aperture. Today I opened a different iPhoto library and then looked for my merged library.
I can't find it and assume I'm missing a vital step. Poring over forums has made it no clearer.
What have I done wrong or missed?

I am not sure how you have tried to merge your iPhoto Libraries. Have you seen this help text?
Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
basically, you open an Aperture library, and then use the Aperture command "File > Import > Library" to import your iPhoto Libraries, Simply opening the iPhoto Libraries in Aperture will not consolidate them into one libraray - you have to import them.
Regards
Léonie

Merging iPhoto Libraries- will events carry forward?

I am exploring unifying my iPhoto libraries. To keep the size of the main library down, I have removed the majority of photos from older events and placed in alternate libraries( eg a vacation library). Will I be able to combine the events back together in Aperture unified, or should I manually combine them back before switching over?

Hi,
See this document: It will tell you, which Aperture and iPhoto versions are compatible with the new, unified library format:
Aperture 3.3: Using a unified photo library with iPhoto and Aperture
The newer vesions of Aperture and iPhoto are using the same library format.
Aperture can combine iPhoto libraries into one library and keep the events and albums.
This document describes how to do this: Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
So you could create a new library in Aperture and import your iPhoto libraies into this library, using the command "File > Import > Library". This will preserve your old events and albums, edits, tags.
Only remember to unhide all hidden photos in iPhoto; you cannot unhide them in Aperture.
And backup all libraries, before doing a major reorganisation.
Regards
Léonie

I downloaded i tunes onto my new computer, i connected my iphone during the updating process itunes failed and i lost all my purchased music from my iphone. I would like to get it reinstated how ?

I downloaded itunes onto my new computer, i connected my iphone during the updating process itunes failed and i lost all my purchased music from my iphone and can no longer retrieve them. I would like to know how i can reinstate the lost music please.

When you are done with this issue, consider the computer back at the office may still
have access to your iTunes account, and it should be de-auhorized. You can do that
remotely, but be sure you carefully do not mess up your other computer iTunes libraries.
Good luck & happy computing!

How do i transfer existing iphoto albums to a new computer

how do i transfer existing iphoto albums to a new computer?
thanks

Are you asking about transfering iPhoto Libraries from one Mac to another Mac? Or about transferring iPhoto albums from an IOS device to a computer? And what is your iPhoto version?
If you are talking about your Mac, simply transfer the iPhoto Library to the new computer. You can copy it using the network, by copying to a portable disk, or by connecting your old mac to the new mac in target disk mode. After copying the iPhoto Library to your Home folder on the new mac, double click it to open it in iPhoto and to point iPhoto to it.
If you are asking about transfering albums from an IOS device; the albums you create on your IOS device are not synced back to your computer. You share the photos by adding them to the Photo Stream, creating shared Photo streams, sending them by email, or publishing web journals.
Regards
Léonie

How do you merge iphoto libraries without duplicates and maintaining events?

I have a few iphoto libraries on my computer that I need to merge, without duplicates, and maintaining the seperate events. Does anyone know how to do this efficiently?

"Terence Devlin" does not work for Apple, for the makers of Library Manager and has no beneficial interest in whether or not you use or purchase this or any other app. If "Terence Devlin" did have such an interest the terms of use of the Forum would require that he add such information to the post. No, Aperture cannot merge iPhoto Libraries. Aperture can convert them to Aperture Libraries and merge them, but that would be of no use to an iPhoto user, as iPhoto can't open an Aperture Library.
And the fact remains that the paid version of Library Manager is the only way to merge Libraries
Regards
"TD"

My old computer ( PC) crashed and I have a new PC now but I want to start synching my contactings and stuff onto my new computer. Itunes says it must wipe my iphone before it can synch. Is there a way to keep my contacts?

My old computer ( PC) crashed and I have a new PC now but I want to start synching my contactings and stuff onto my new computer. Itunes says it must wipe my iphone before it can synch. Is there a way to keep my contacts?

Create a dummy contact on your new PC in Outlook. In iTunes, elect to synch your contacts with Outlook. You will be prompted to "merge" your contacts. Once done and all your contacts are on your computer in Outlook, you can delete the "dummy" contact.

Reinstalling iTunes onto a new computer?

Do I have to reinstall iTunes onto my new computer in order to access the music store and download music? If I do, does that mean I will have two separate music libraries on the two different computers?

Yes, the only way you can access the iTunes Store is through.... iTunes.

Combining Libraries on a New Computer

My wife and I have purchased a new computer to replace our aging laptops. The laptops are from prior to our marriage. We would like to combine both iTunes libraries from the laptops onto the new computer so that we can stream the media over our home network to our PS3, home theater, both old laptops, and the replacement laptops that will be purchased later. Effectively, the new computer will function like a media server.
I have physically migrated the files to the new computer using an external hard drive. However, many of the songs that were originally downloaded to my wife's laptop will not play on the new computer. The new computer's installation of iTunes continually asks for an authorization on her account, which we have tried to do.
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See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Merging iphoto libraries onto a new computer?

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