Move iPhoto library with external images to another computer &external disk

Hi guys,
I have just received my shiny new MacBook and now I want to move my iPhoto library from my "old" Mac mini to the new computer; to make things slightly more complicated, I have, for historic reasons, all my photos external to the iPhoto library on a hard drive called "Mobile". In addition, in the new environment the photos shall reside on yet another external drive which will be called Mobile3 ...
Any idea how I can achieve this ?
Many thanks, Jurgen
Mac mini, MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Jurgen:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. I think I know now you can do that.
1 - copy the iPhoto Library folder intact into the MacBook's Pictures folder.
2 - move the container folder for the "source" files to Mobile 3. Try to keep the path names as consistent as possible except for the HD name.
3 - open the library on the MB and double click on a thumbnail. When the window comes us to find the source file do so.
That should re-link all of the files in the library or at least in that roll. The worst case scenario would be do to that once for each roll. If you have the file path identical to the old HD except for the HD's name it should work.
In the event you have to create a new library and start fresh (unlikely) or want to just make sure your source file as permanently associated with the keywords and comments you're assigned in iPhoto try Tutorial #1.
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.

Similar Messages

Move iPhoto library from one user to another?

How can I move (transfer) an iphoto library from one user to another on an iMac running 10.6.8 or alternatively allow one user to work with another user's iPhoto? Both users are on the same computer.

hi
fast you open your old user and copy the iPhoto library on disk partition or any external disk.
next log in your another account and paste the iPhoto library file on users>(acc. name)> Picture
after that when you open your iPhoto then hold the OPTION button and and choose the specified path (iPhoto library ) file
i hope solved your problem

If I Move iPhoto Library to External Drive Does It Keep Organized?

Can anyone tell me:
In iPhoto 09 8.2.1 if I take the time to organize, edit, "faces" "events" etc...and I move iPhoto to an External Harddrive, a Western Digital "My Book"...Does moved library stay edited, organized face tagged, etc?
Thanks

See this document how to format a drive for photo libraries: (it explains it for aperture, but it is done the same way for iPhoto)
Format external drives to Mac OS Extended before using with Aperture
Also if I do format the drive how will that effect what is already on there (not just photos but documents, etc)?
I thought you were buying a new drive to use with iPhoto. If there are already documents on the drive, you need to copy them temporarily somewhere else. Reformatting will erase a drive completely.
Disk Utility (it is in the "Utilities" folder in "Applications") will show you, if your drive needs formatting.
The left pane shows your disks and disk partitions, and the right pane lets you do useful things, like reformatting and repairing your drive.
If you select the drive in the left panel, you see the formatting in the footer of the panel.
Is your drive correctly formatted?

Restore iphoto library from external disk backup

Dear all,
I need to restore all the iPhoto library after have backup and formatted my MacBook pro with iPhoto11.
Before to format the hard disk I have copied all the "Pictures" folder to an external HDD and it also includes a file named "iPhoto Library".
Then I have formatted the hard disk, installed the OS Montain Lion and iPhoto11 and the iPhoto library was empty at the beginning.
I tried to simply copy the file "iPhoto Library" from the external hard drive backup and substitute the original emply file. Then when I run the iPhoto it said "iPhoto library was probably created with a newer version of iPhoto and cannot be opened" and I could just quit. So I have restored the original empty file.
I've noticed that the file "iPhoto Library" is an archive and can be opened by itself. Is there a way to copy the right files from that archive?
I tried to find a solution in the website http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2504 but it's not valid in my case.
Hope you guys can help me since I had very important pictures in the archive!!
Thanks in advance.
GP

Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library
LN

How to move iphoto library from one account to another?

For one reason to another I'm making myself a new account on my mac. I'd like to move my iphoto library from the old account to the new one. I was wondering if the instructions about moving the library to a new location (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iPhoto/9.0/en/pht6d607c42.html) is just for moving the library within an account? Or does it also work for moving from old account to a new one on the same machine.
If not, any instructions for moving the library to a new account on the same machine?

If you have any problems with the library in the new account you might have to download and run BatChmod on the library to reset the ownership and permissions to the new account owner for all of the files in the library. User the settings shown in the screenshot below:
Click to view full size
For Owner use the owner name for that account. If the account uses a different Group then use it also. You can find the group name by seleting a file in your other account and typing Control+i to bring up the Info window. The ownership and group will be shown near the bottom.
OT

Move iPhoto Library to external harddrive

Good evening all...
I've done some searching and see a few different possibilites for using an Alternate iPhoto Library on an external harddrive. I'm hoping for opinions on the best option for what I wish to accomplish.
In my line of photography, I tend to focus on a specific event and then backup that event to remove it from my local hard disk (archive it if you will). In the past, I have done this by burning to CD, but now have a pretty decent sized external harddrive that I would like to take advantage of.
After reading some other threads, I have noticed that some folks choose to relocate their iPhoto Library to a external harddrive and set it as the working iPhoto directory. I am wondering if this is a good option for me, as I prefer to keep my local harddrive clean? Is an external harddrive a safe option for primary storage? Chalk my fear of storing locally to years of Windows failures.
If this is a good option for me, could somebody explain the procedures of setting this up? This is my first Mac and I am still somewhat cautious as to how I proceed with things such as this.
If this is a bad option for me, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time!
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9) iPhoto 6

Take a look at this Apple KB document: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users, particularly the screen show regarding ignoring ownership on the external HD. That will avoid problems that might pop up if permissions were turn on and some image file locked you out for some reason. It does happen at times.
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.

How to move iPhoto Library from external drive to new mac?

I have exported a copy of my iPhoto Library from my old mac to an external hard drive. How can I import entire library into iPhoto of new mac? When I click Import to Library, I'm unable to highlight iPhoto Library file listed on my external hard drive in Finder. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Is the iPhoto library on the new computer empty? If it is, quit iPhoto and just drag the iPhoto library on the New Computer to the trash and drag the iPhoto library from the EHD to the pictures folder on the new computer - there is no importing involved - you NEVER want to import an iPhoto library into another iPhoto Library
If you want to run the new computer with the iPhoto library on the external drive simply launch i{Photo while depressing the option (alt) key and use the select library to point to the EHD
LN

Can't move iPhoto library to external drive

My poor little iMac only has 200 MB of hard drive space on it, so I need to make some room! I'd already moved my iTunes library from it last year, but I figured now I need to move my iPhoto library to my external hard drive too.
I went to Apple help for instructions, which said drag the iPhoto library folder to the hard drive. I couldn't find an icon that looked like a folder in Pictures, but I found an icon that said "iPhoto Library" so I moved that icon to my external hard drive. On the hard drive, the icon turned into a blank document icon. I put my iMac's iPhoto library in the trash, reopened iPhoto, selected "choose library" and tried to choose the iPhoto library that was on the external hard drive, but it was grayed out, so I couldn't! I went through all these steps several times.
Also, just for curiosity's sake, I double clicked on the iPhoto library blank icon on the external hard drive. It said it needed an application to work with it, so I tried to choose iPhoto, but that wasn't working either.
I have iLife '08, by the way. The hard drive is a 250GB WD. Can anyone tell me how to do this?

What is the size of the resulting file on the external HD? Also how is the external HD formatted? If it's one of the FAT formats for PCs that may be the problem. Try copying that file back to your desktop and see if it will reconvert back to a library. If that's the case, reformat the HD to OS X Extended (journaled).
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 created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries 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.

Move iphoto library to external drive

Hi everyone. I'm a first-timer here. I'm trying to free up space off my local hard drive and want to move an iphoto librabry to an expernal drive. When I do I get this message after more than an hour: "The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “File Name” can’t be read or written. (Error code -36)". I wonder what I can do to move the library? If it's a corrupt photo(s) or video(s) how can identify which one(s) is/are corrupt as there are literally thousands of photos and videos. Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

What format is the extrenal drive? How are you moving the iPhoto library?
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
LN

Move iphoto library to external drive...now what?

I copied my iphoto library over to my external drive and now I would like to delete my iphoto library. Before I do that, I want to know what to delete. The largest folder is called "originals" then i have a bunch of folders that are named years...etc. What should I delete? What should I not delete? Can I now copy my husband's iphoto folder to the same external folder so that we can share? We may just use one account on our imac for music and photos...too complicated to share.

Hi megan,
If you have launched iPhoto with the Option key and chose to open another library and chose the one on the external and everything is working fine, you can delete the entire iPhoto Library folder in your Pictures folder.
iPhoto is now using the library on the external.
You can copy your husbands to the external if you wish but it cannot have the same "iPhoto Library "name or it will replace yours when it is moved there.
If you want to merge the libraries though, you can use iPhoto Library manager (paid version)
the situation is a little more complicated and has different steps depending on what you want to do.
If you are wanting to use the same library I would purchase iPhoto library manager, use it to merge yours and your husbands library.
Copy the merged library to an external. To share this library, the external must be set to "ignore permissions"
Instructions are on the iPhoto Library Manger documentation link for sharing la library.
iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.

Move iphoto library with albums from imac to a new macbook proac

I have an approximately 7,000 photo iPhoto library that I want to move from an older iMac to a new MacBook Pro. I want to do it completely to that albums I have already structured are retained. Can I do this and if so, what is the best way.
The older computer has iPhoto '09 version 8.1.2. The newer one has iPhoto '11 version 9.1.1

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network, Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Regards
TD

I can not move iPhoto library to external

I cleared out (formatted) a WD HD and want to use it for my external iPhoto library. My Macbook Pro is not big enough to house 400GB of photos. When I select iPhoto library from pictures and drag it to my HD it has a little xed out white circle. Can anyone tell me why this will not let me move the library?

I just did a windows format since I could not do anything on my Mac. Looking up how to format a HD for a Mac was helpful and I am now moving my photo library YEAH!! Thanks!

Move iTunes library from external disk to internal disk

Hello,
I am currently using a Mac Mini with an external disk to store my iTunes library as well as all the media files, apps, etc. The library is managed (consolidated) by iTunes and is also organized by iTunes.
I am about to buy the new Macbook Pro and with a 1 TB drive, I wanted to move the iTunes stuff (library, media, playlists, play counts, ratings, everything) to the internal drive of the new MBP.
My questions are:
Can I do this migration (from external disk to internal disk of new Mac) as part of the Migration Assistant?
In case I can't do the above, what is the best way to do this after the new Mac has been set up?
How do I ensure that play counts, playlists, ratings, album art are preserved as I have spent considerable time setting those up?
I have 3-4 IOS devices syncing to this library. How do I ensure that when I sync them to the new computer/library, they will continue to work?
Thanks in advance.

Hi,
1. See if this support answers your query http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889 and http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
3. Make sure complete intune folder is copied over. The Itunes Library.itl file contains all meta data.
4. Maybe someone else can make a definitive comment on this. I used migration assistant and was able to sync my ipad and ipod classic without doing anything special. I presume that it worked because both were syncing to the same library albeit on a different computer.
Jim

I have 2 ipods, a touch and phone, on one computer. How do i move the library of the touch to another computer?

I want to move a library for an iPod touch from one computer to another. The computer it is currently on also shares another library as well.
HOw do i move just one of them?

Are there two seperate libraries? Just do this:
iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
Or
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
or copy it for the iPod to the computer/iTunes library

I lost my iPhoto library on external disk so how do I recover iPhone photos to iPhoto on MacBook?

I moved all of my photos to an external disk. No other backup. Big mistake. Now, how do I transfer photos on my iPhone (albums, events, faces) to my MacBook iPhoto library, which is now empty?

It sounds like you were running a "referenced" library? Were you?
Click to view full size
If you didi and you moved the photos to the EHD you would get a "Can't find XXXXX" message when you try to view a photos. Is that what you get?
Are those photos still on the EHD? You'll have to explain in more detail exactly what you did and how you did it before we can give you any suggestions on how to get back in business.
OT

Move iPhoto library with external images to another computer &external disk

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for