Merging multiple libraries

On my C drive under Music- Itunes, I have multiple Itunes libraries.  There are some duplicates (don't get me started on that !).  There are regular music libraries and xml libraries.  How do I consolidate them all into one, so that when I un-install the update and reinstall 10.7 I can just have one library to transfer over?
Thanks!

Yes there are two ways. The first, with the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager, will retain the rolls, albums, keywords, etc. of the library that's being merged into the primary library.
The other method is described by Brie Fly ,here. What you'll end up with is your second library in your primary library as a single roll. You'll have to then reorganize them into new rolls, albums, etc. But it will not bring in the thumbnail files as regular image files as other methods of importing into a library.

Similar Messages

  • Merging multiple libraries on 3 external drives

    This is STILL driving me mad!
    I have 2 1TB drives and 1 500GB drive (all external) that have iTunes (.itl) and (xml) libraries on them. I also have a folder on another external drive I'd like to use too.
    I've tried various fixes to merge these into one library that when I open iTunes, all files are in that library instead of doing what I do now which is to "choose library" when holding down option key and opening iTunes.
    I thought I had it figured out the other night after I exported playlists and then imported them back into iTunes but, instead, it was copying files from one hard drive to another and I had to stop it because the drive was filling up. I'm still amazed that iTunes can't offer a simple "import playlist" feature that does so without copying the files.
    Bottom line? Is there a simple way to have ONE library from all my external drives? So that when I open iTunes I see all my files from all my hard drives right there in front of me? I've read countless posts about this and find that some answers do SOME of what I want but invariably, files get copied and I have to stop the whole thing.
    I would SO appreciate a simple, step by step, walk-me-through-it-like-I'm-an-8-year-old tutorial on this.
    I'm ready to just buy a 4TB drive and do the whole tedious copying of every file I have onto it and then importing them into iTunes. I know this would literally take days to do I am dreading the whole ordeal. I have to believe that somewhere, someone has had the very same issue and found a solution to it.
    Appreciate any and all help on this. Thank you.

    1) I believe I currently only have one library- is this the folder under Pictures called "iPhoto Library"? Is there anywhere I can check which library/ies are being displayed by iPhoto?
    No - if you are using iPhoto Library Manager the current library name is displayed - without it the only way is to right click (control click) on a photo and use the show file option to see the path or to launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key and using teh select library option to choose a library
    2) Can I create new libraries, in order to split my sole existing library into smaller libraries, so that I can thereby shift some of my photos off onto the EHD? if so, how? Is there a limit to how many libraries can I have?
    There is no limit
    2) If the answer to 2) is no, is there any other way I can I move some of the photos onto the EHD?
    You can move the eitire library there or using iPhoto library manager any portions of it
    3) If I can and do split the library as per 2) can I then display images from more than one library simultaneously in iPhoto, or do I have to toggle between the separate libraries in some way?
    You can only view one library at a time - toggling is either launching with the option key or using IPLM
    4) If I can split the library and as per 2) and 3) above, can I store some of the libraries on my Powerbook hard drive and others separately on the EHD and still access both/all of them simultaneously in iPhoto?
    See previous answer - no simultaneous access
    5) Would there be any problems to 4) above if I access the EHD over a cable network rather than a direct connection?
    a direct ocnnection is best - wired ethernet is second and wireless is not advised
    As a further complication once I have created space on my hard disk I will be upgrading to iLife '08 and therefore a newer version of iPhoto, will this cause any complications with the above?
    Yes - each seperate library will have to be upgraded and they must all be the same version
    LN

  • Will 'Consolidate Library' merge multiple libraries?

    I would like to use 'Consolidate Library' in order to move the location of my music folder. However, I have two libraries set up that use that folder. I am wary of using Consolidate Library if there is a chance that the songs from both libaries will be copied into the same library. Can anyone shed any light on this?
    Thanks in advance.

    Consolidating doesn't merge libraries. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library you are consolidating that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Consolidating your library - Mac

  • Multiple Libraries - Best practice

    I have been using iphoto for the last 5 years, At the end of the year I move the library to an external drive and use iphoto buddy to point to it. Now I have 6-7 libraries and I would rather have everything, together.
    What has people found out is the best way to combine libraries so that all files end up in 1 directory on the firewire drive and then the best way to move this years photos from the hardrive to the ext drive, later? Or is having multiple libraries the best?
    Seems like i am always moving files to and from libraries and i loss any structure and backing it up is a pain. am i missing something here? Thanks in advance
    jf

    Jeff:
    Welcome to the Apple Discussions. The only way at present to merger multiple libraries into one library and retain keywords, rolls, etc, is to use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager. That will get you one library. If that library gets very large then you might have a storage problem on your boot drive where you want to keep adequate free space for optimal performance. In that case multiple libraries might be best for you.
    FWIW here's my photo strategy. I keep my photos in folder based on the shoot (each upload from the camera after an event, usually family get togethers) in folders dated for the event and a brief description. I then import that folder into iPhoto to get a roll with the same name. Since I take the step to upload before importing to iPhoto I also batch rename the files with the international date format: YYYY-MM-DD-01.jpg and so forth.
    With iPhoto's new capability of using only aliases for the original/source files (I kept my original folders as a backup on a second drive) I used those original source folders for my combined library by importing those folders into a new V6 library using the alias method. So, for 17,400+ photos that take up 27G on my second drive, my iPhoto library on my boot drive only takes up 8G. This is very valuable for PB owners who can't afford that much library space on the boot drive. The one downside to the alias method is that if you delete a photo from the library the source/original file does not get deleted. Hopefully that will be in the next update.
    If the external is dismounted the library is still useable in that you can view thumbnails, create, delete and move albums, add comments and keywords (but with some effort). You can't do anything that requires moving the thumbnails or edit. I've created a workflow to convert from a conventional iPhoto library structure to an alias based one.
    The downside to converting as I mentioned is that you will lose keywords, albums, etc. due to the conversion. So it's not for everyone.
    Bottom line: for combining/merging libraries iPhoto Library Manager is the only option at the present time. Hope this has bee of some help to you.

  • Can I merge multiple iPhoto libraries in the new Photo's app. This was not possible in iPhoto but is possible in Aperture.

    Now that iPhoto is 'Photos' on 10.10.3 is it possible to merge multiple iPhoto libraries. It is possible to this this in Aperture but not in iPhoto (I'm using 10.10.2 and can't upgrade until other software I use is qualified for 10.10.3). Here's the deal - I  changed my drive to an SSD and backed up my old hard drive (which had the original iPhoto library on it. I did a clean install with my new drive so iPhoto created a new (blank) library. This upgrade was done a few months ago so now I have 2 different iPhoto libraries. Note that the newer library is connected to iCloud and if I was to 'Switch Libraries' it will delete my current photo stream. There is a way to do this manually - I could switch to the old library and locate the root folders in the 'newer library', move them to a new folder and import. This procedure is awkward and not my preferred route. So if there's anyone using the new 'Photos' app on 10.10.3 please let me know thanks!

    To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
    To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
    If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

  • HT201340 How do I merge multiple iphoto libraries

    I have multiple iphoto libraries on an external HD. Not much memory left on my mac HD. So I'm trying to clear up some memory. I would like to merge/organize the iPhoto libraries on the external HD. But I can't figure out how to separate the photos.  I just want to organize them into seperate years, i.e., photos 2009, 2010, 2011, etc.
    And since I now have aperture, how can I get these photos organized into simple annual libraries onto the external HD?
    Sorry if this has been posted a million times, but I can't figure it out and don't want to lose any photos.

    Sorry if this has been posted a million times, but I can't figure it out and don't want to lose any photos.
    Reorganizing your photolibraries can be error-prone, so before you start, I'd recommend to check your backups of the libraries, if they are current and working.
    I just want to organize them into seperate years, i.e., photos 2009, 2010, 2011, etc.
    And since I now have aperture, how can I get these photos organized into simple annual libraries onto the external HD?
    iPhoto does not support to export partial libraries or to import and merge photo libraries, but Aperture does.
    Your question does link to the document "Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries" that describes how you can merge libraries.
    Do you have compatible Aperture and iPhoto versions? Aperture 3.4.5 and iPhoto 9.4.3?  If yes, then you can unify your photo libraries by creating a new Aperture library on your external drive and using the command "File > Import > Library" to import your iPhoto libraies one by one into the the Aperture library.
    Aperture works well with large libraries. You could keep all images in that one library and be done.
    But if you really want separate, small libraries for each year, define smart albums in Aperture:
         New > Smart album
    and in the "Smart Settings" HUD for the album press "Add Rule" and add a "Date" rule. Set this rule to "Capture Year is ....".
    This way you will have all images grouped by date in the library Inspector.
    You could then proceed to export partial Aperture libraries for each year: Select the smart album and use the command "File > Export > Album as library". This will create a new Aperture library, just for that year. You can open this library in iPhoto, if you want.
    I myself prefer to have all my photos in just one library; that makes it much easier to search all my photos at once and to combine them freely.
    Regards
    Léonie

  • Has anyone used Fat Cat Software to merge multiple iPhoto Libraries?

    Has anyone used Fat Cat Software to merge multiple iPhoto Libraries?

    I used it several years ago to merge libraries without problem. I cannot speak to the current version. It goes without saying that you need to have a very good backup before you use that sort of software (if you do).
    Barry

  • 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

  • Merge multiple Aperture and iPhoto libraries into Photos?

    I have around 80GB of material in multiple Aperture libraries, and around 12GB of old material in iPhoto. Is it even sensible to think about holding all this data in Photos, and if so, how is it possible to import multiple libraries? The option to convert an existing library only seems available at first start-up, and is then limited to only one library.

    Yes it is practical - but you have to merge the libraries before converting libraries to Photos - Aperture can do that
    LN

  • Merging multiple Aperture libraries

    I would like to merge multiple Aperture libraries. Some images occur in more than one library. Does anyone know what the merge process does with duplicated images? Thanks for any tips

    Graham Bowyer wrote:
    I would like to merge multiple Aperture libraries. Some images occur in more than one library. Does anyone know what the merge process does with duplicated images? Thanks for any tips
    To me it's helpful to clarify what is meant by "duplicated images".  To the Library, every Image is a record in a list of records.  Some of these records may be identical.  Being identical means they contain the same information.  They are usually not linked in any way.  Often, there may be Images that look identical, but have different information or other differences (size, date-stamp, file format of the Original, a copyright notice, bit-depth, etc., etc.).  The computer does not know that Images look alike.  To it, every Image is a record, and that's that.
    Merging Libraries combines the two lists of Images into one bigger single list of Images.  If one of the merged Libraries was created by "export as Library" from the other, Aperture will attempt to "merge" each Image from the second Library that matches an Image from the first Library into one Image in the merged Library.
    Other than that, no attempt to eliminate duplicates is done during a merging of Libraries AFAIK.
    As Léonie says, this is still new, and you should _at least_ make back-ups prior to doing anything, and are advised to try anything with smaller test Libraries before committing your main Library to any action.

  • Merging Places info of multiple libraries

    I would like to see a map which combines all the places from multiple large IPhoto libraries without having to merge the libraries and all its pictures.
    I organized my travel pictures by year into 10,000+ pictures per year libraries of 300+ worldwide locations each.
    Now I would like to see a single places map showing all the locations I visited in the last few years.
    I do not necessarily have to see the corresponding pictures.
    Is there such a utility?
    Or is there a way to import places information only into another library?
    Peter

    No there is no such utility.
    One way to get that info in to a single Library is to import one pic from each location...
    For instance: Select a pic from London. Then File -> Export and in the Export dialogue, set the Kind to Jpeg. Then check the box at 'Location Information' and the Places data is written to the file. Complete the Export to the desktop.
    Now import that to another Library and it will read the Location Info from the file.
    Or you can simply move files from one Library to another with iPhoto Library Manager
    Regards
    TD

  • How do I merge multiple ipod libraries on one laptop?

    We have over 5 ipods in the family and need to sync all their content to one library on one laptop.  Every time I plug in an ipod to the laptop, it will only show that ipod's library.  I have tried to merge the libraries, but end up losing songs/apps/etc.  At present, for example, I can see many apps in the iTunes library, but they will not sync with the ipod that is plugged in.  Thanks for any help.

    Only two ways currently - the latest versions of iPhoto and of Aperature (which can nopen current iPhoto libraries and can merge libraries) or the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - 
    LN

  • Merge multiple mail libraries

    well - for whatever reason I have a total mess. Have got an iMAC (i.e. Master), a PowerBook and a MacBook. All e-mails from several years should be in mail on iMAC; now - if clicking on a e-mail heading let's say from last year a blank screen will open - nothing more; no content, no failure message - that's it. Since I have almost 100% of the older e-mails in mail on my PowerBook I was trying to merge the libraries on external HD by copying the Inbox entries into each other - but does not work properly either. Identified missing e-mails.
    My assumptions is simply merging just does not work. Now - does someone have a good idea, hint, advice or whatsoever what I might be able to do???? Ideally I would like to create a "new master" library which can be "re-loaded" into the different mail systems. Many thanks in advance. Robert

    To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
    To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
    If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

  • Managing multiple libraries for multiple family members

    I have four family members with multiple iTune libraries, including two that need to be age appropriate for our children. To add to this burden, we now have an iPad as well. How do I best manage these libraries, minimizing duplicate purchases, enabling each to have store accounts for gift card purchases, and sync each iPod simply for those not familiar with the apple software? Can I merge our libraries, create different users with their songs and accounts for purchases and syncing logins? We have two operating systems in the home, mac and pc? Argh, this is cumbersome, my library has over 4000 items, other family members have much smaller libraries, but would like their own individual libraries. Should I merge and make separate playlists for each user? If so, how can I incorporate my own vast library of playlists already created?
    Help me please, any suggestions?
    Rob Mc

    There are 3 options. See this page:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
    My advice is to use option #1 and have each user with a separate windows userID. They can each keep their own itunes library database file with ratings, play counts, playlists.
    Have all the library content in a public folder to avoid filling the PC's hard drive with duplicates.
    You can use a 3rd-party utility program like iTunes Folder Watch to update all the libraries when new content gets added.
    Method #2 is easiest, but then ratings and play counts will not be separated. Also, they have to remember to log out of the itunes store and log in with their own ID when making purchases. Something to watch for when kids are involved with their own gift cards....this is not a problem with method #1.
    Method #3 seems to give a lot of people grief because all users MUST use a shift-start of itunes to choose their own library. Woe has fallen on many who have tried this method.
    As for using both Mac & PC, itunes & ipods are designed to only sync with one PC. There is a way around that, but you either have to do a lot of manual backing up and copying, or buy something like TuneRanger.

  • Multiple Libraries & duplicates

    I am sure that my problem is common so hopefully this post will help other people solve similar problems. It may have been answered in other posts although nothing has popped out as a clear and concise way to solve how to deal with multiple libraries and duplicate pictures.
    I have over the years created, edited and merged various iPhoto libraries. I now have such a mess of pictures and libraries I don't know what to do to organize them all. The smallest library is about 10GB, the largest about 45GB. I purchased iPhoto Library Manager and Duplicate Annihilator. I have attempted to merge some of the libraries but that didn't work that well. It created yet another library and more duplicates. I then (foolishly) attempted to drag and drop a library file and that created extra pics like thumbnails of the all the faces.
    So is there an easier way that sifting thru about 30,000 images?
    Do I deal with the duplicates in each separate library first, then merge and do it again. Or attempt a total merge, then scan for duplicates?
    Another approach I thought about is to work directly with the originals in the library contents.
    I am lucky that I haven't spent too much time with albums, books etc. There is some metadata (comments, maps and faces), but nothing to serious.

    Try using a free tool, ExifRenamer (http://www.qdev.de/?location=mac/exifrenamer)
    Do not use this tool on files inside of iPhoto Library. You can use the tool only with originals, in simple file format. So you probably need to export the files from iPhoto first before using the tool.
    It renames photo/video file names to date/time they were taken. You'd drop a folder containing the files onto ExifRenamer icon, and the files will be renamed. Pretty simple. You can specify the format of file name and other settings to your preference first. Once the files are renamed, you'd drop them into folders based on year/quarter/month.
    Basically you'd reorganize the files in this folder structure
    2009_01
    2009_02
    2010_03
    Or you could work with
    2009-q1 (for Jan - March)
    2009-q2 (for Apr - June)
    As you are dropping the renamed files into their directories, you may be asked to overwrite files, which you should do.
    Once you've renamed the files, you can reimport them into iPhoto Library. I recommend one iPhoto Library for 1 year. Maybe you could keep more years in 1 iPhoto Library. My personal preference is 1 iPhoto Library for 1 year.
    Lastly, please make a good backup and test before proceeding. I recommend this.
    -Let Time Machine run with iPhoto closed.
    -Export all photos from iPhoto into a separate folder. This is for backup and not to be touched.
    -Export all photos from iPhoto or duplicate the folder you created in previous step. Work with this folder when using ExifRenamer. Start working with small sets of files initially until you are comfortable.

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