Multiple iPhoto databases on 1 mac?

is there a way to have more than 1 iPhoto database on a computer?
for example, if i want to have on my mac at work 2 different database files, one work related photos and another for personal photos. i would like to have a separate database for selected photos from my home computer, say a vacation trip... i don't want to have 1 iPhoto database with both work picture and personal pictures mix in the same database...
another way to think of this is like the following... if i set up an album, is it possible to save/export an album out of the main iPhoto database and save it to another iPhoto database on the same computer?
when i get jpgs, even at work, i normally store the jpgs in the folder with the project that they are associated with... i never use iPhoto because i prefer to keep the photos local to the particular project or topic that the belong to... for me, keeping all photos in 1 location is like organizing my mac filing system so that all of my excel files are in 1 directory on my computer, regardless of what project the excel files pertain to... when i'm working on a project, then all files are in the same location, the project folder... when i archive a project, then all the files, including the jpgs, get archived with that folder... if i transfer that project to someone else, then they get all files for that project... and i can remove that project from my computer since it is archived onto a disk or external hard drive...
another example is how filemaker works. i can make as many copies of a filemaker database as i want in and save each copy in a different location on my computer... i don't have the clutter of all the data unrelated to the project i'm working on in that file mixed in with the project for that folder... so i can keep a database for each project with only the data for that project, and that database gets archived, transferred, and removed with the project folder... if i update the database, i don't have to work on updating data from old projects that i'm not working on any more... if i'm working with someone on the database for a specific project, we don't have to filter out data from all the other projects...
if iPhoto doesn't allow this, is there other photo library software that does do this? my needs are very basic, only need date, title, maybe tags/keywords, or notes, and the ability to search these fields... i have no need to manipulate or edit the jpegs... no slide shows, no music, no book making...
thanks for any suggestions...

As Larry says, multiple libraries are easy and available.
another way to think of this is like the following... if i set up an album, is it possible to save/export an album out of the main iPhoto database and save it to another iPhoto database on the same computer?
To move pics/albums/events between Libraries you’ll need iPhoto Library Manager.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

How to unify multiple iPhoto libraries from different Mac OS versions?

I am pretty good with the Mac itself and have been a long time user. I knew full well acumulating multiple iphoto libraries in older backups (intead of building up on one) was not a great idea but for several reasons I have had to live that way. Now is the time to clean it all up once and for all and I need some wisdom;
-I got my external drive as my new iphoto library now. It's being used, there are already albums in it and it's ready to accept older libraries.
-What I want is that the older libraries (about 10 of them from different Mac OS versions) to show up in the new external drive as they looked in iphot back then. As albums in other words.
-I do not want them imported in a single folder that's full of photos.
Any help is much appreciated,
Cheers.
M

If you imported a previous iphoto library into your new one, it created a folder inside the iphoto called "imported".
That was the problem. One should never import one library into another. Only iPhoto 6 libraries and earlier can be imported into a library now. With the introduction of iPhoto 7 the library was changed from a folder to a package which can't be imported by the current iPhoto version.
To use an older library with a new iPhoto version one just opens that library with iPhoto and lets iPhoto update it as necessary. No importing necessary.
Also you can use the paid verson of iPhoto Library Manager to merge those additional libraries into your current working library (be sure to have a current backup of your current library before merging). What will be included are albums, Events, keywords, titles, descriptions, places. Books, slideshows, calendars in the other libraries will be copied over as just albums.
OT

How to merge multiple iPhoto libraries on one Mac

When I (option+click) on iPhoto I see 3 libraries to choose from. I don't know how I got them but I want to merge all 3 into a single library. How do I do that? I downloaded iPhoto library manager already but from there I am lost.

You'll need to purchase it.
Then check the instructions here - 6.4...
http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/Help/table%20of%20contents.html

Multiple iPhoto libraries & on MobileMe Gallery on iPad

I have multiple iPhoto libraries on my Mac (multiple work related project libraries & personal library). I'd like to be able to view them on an iPad. Is that going to be possible? If not, I'm hoping that MobileMe galleries will sync to the iPad. Does anyone know if either of these options is possible?

I upgraded to Lion OS and suffered multiple crashes necessitating a complete rebuild of the system - reformat the main hard drive and install Lion OS from a disk In an effort to be absolutely sure I didn't lose data I have been overenthusiastic in transferring photos to the backup disk dragging and dropping files that contained images as well as a full transfer of "mymac" before reformating. Time machine backup was not realistic as this was the one operation which caused most of the "hangs" System now appears to be working well with Lion OS but I have masses of duplicate jpeg files in multiple folders and libraries - I am considering purchasing Duplicate Annihilator to deal with the duplicates then perhaps I should try to merge the libraries with iPhoto manager?

What is best way to sync 2 Macs to 1 iPhoto database?

I have a main home iMac that serves as our digital life hub. Occasionally, especially when on the road, I'd like to have the same iPhoto database on MacBook Pro, but, be able to make changes, edits, etc., and then be able to get those back into the iMac. Is there a way short of copying the whole iPhoto database back and forth?
I suppose one idea would be to use a portable, external drive, so curious if performance suffers in that case. Thanks

David
You will need to copy the Library to the MBP at least once, thereafter you can use iPhoto Library Manager to move pics and their associated metadata from library to library.
I suppose one idea would be to use a portable, external drive, so curious if performance suffers in that case.
Well, performance won't suffer and you can copy the Library to an external as easily as to the laptop.
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library Folder as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Connect the Disk to the laptop. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
Regards
TD

Problem with pictures in iPhoto '09 on a Mac

After a recent download of travel pictures numbering over 1,000, every so often a few pictures will split and have normal color on half but the other half is very light. Sometimes when these thumbnails are opened the color is just fine but I end up replacing them from my original SD card from my camera. I have no idea what is causing that to happen. The only thing I can relate it to is that it started happening after downloading 1,000 more pictures. The total number of pictures in my iPhoto '09 library is 9,275. Does anyone know what the problem is and how it can be fixed? My Mac's operating system is OS X Maverick 10.9.4 and the processor speed is 3.06 GHz; Intel Core 2 Due; Memory: 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3. iPhoto '09, version 8.1.2 (424).

Thanks for the 2 suggestions. I rebuilt the iPhoto database but, unfortunately, that did not correct the defect in the problem images. Then I ran Etrecheck and here are the results:
EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)
Report generated July 30, 2014 at 7:57:25 PM CDT
Hardware Information:
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) (Verified)
iMac - model: iMac10,1
1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores
4 GB RAM
Video Information:
NVIDIA GeForce 9400 - VRAM: 256 MB
iMac 1920 x 1080
System Software:
OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 0 days 10:52:48
Disk Information:
ST3500418ASQ disk0 : (500.11 GB)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (282.7 GB free)
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB
OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H
USB Information:
Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Gatekeeper:
Mac App Store and identified developers
Launch Daemons:
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist Support
[invalid] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist
Launch Agents:
[loaded] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist Support
[running] com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist Support
[running] com.kodak.BonjourAgent.plist Support
[invalid] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist
[invalid] KodakAiOBonjourAgent
User Launch Agents:
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support
[failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
[loaded] com.kodak.KODAK AiO Firmware Updater.plist Support
[loaded] com.kodak.KODAK AiO Software Updater.plist Support
[running] com.kodak.StatisticCollection.plist Support
User Login Items:
AdobeResourceSynchronizer
Dropbox
Internet Plug-ins:
AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1017287: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 Support
Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 4.1.3f3 Support
Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.1.2 Support
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support
RL Secure Plug-In Layer: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 Support
Safari Extensions:
Open in Internet Explorer: Version: 1.0
Audio Plug-ins:
BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9
AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9
AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9
iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9
iTunes Plug-ins:
Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9
User Internet Plug-ins:
SOEWebInstaller: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 Support
UploadManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 Support
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 Support
ContentManager: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 Support
RocketEngine: Version: (null) - SDK 10.5 Support
3rd Party Preference Panes:
Carbonite Support
Flash Player Support
Flip4Mac WMV Support
MacFUSE Support
Time Machine:
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 464.96 GB Disk used: 201.68 GB
Destinations:
Data [Network] (Last used)
Total size: 929.19 GB
Total number of backups: 42
Oldest backup: 2014-03-22 16:02:26 +0000
Last backup: 2014-07-30 23:58:08 +0000
Size of backup disk: Adequate
Backup size 929.19 GB > (Disk used 201.68 GB X 3)
Time Machine details may not be accurate.
All volumes being backed up may not be listed.
Top Processes by CPU:
      61% CarboniteDaemon
      2% WindowServer
      0% fontd
      0% natpmpd
Top Processes by Memory:
180 MB mds_stores
143 MB Finder
123 MB softwareupdated
86 MB mds
78 MB Safari
Virtual Memory Information:
1.32 GB Free RAM
1.75 GB Active RAM
152 MB Inactive RAM
537 MB Wired RAM
764 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs

How do i set up a slideshow with pictures from multiple iphoto libraries?

How do i set up a slideshow with pictures from multiple iphoto libraries? One library is in my Macbook Harddrive, the other 2 libraries are in an external harddrive. Thank you!!

You can't, simply. An iPhoto Slideshow can only draw from a single library, so you'll need to get all the images into one.
Alternatives to iPhoto's slideshow include:
iMovie is on every Mac sold.
Others, in order of price:
PhotoToMovie $49.95
PulpMotion $129
FotoMagico $99
Final Cut Pro X $299
It's difficult to compare these apps. They have differences in capability - some are driven off templates. some aren't. Some have a wider variety of transitions. Others will have excellent audio controls. It's worth checking them out to see what meets your needs. However, there is no doubt that Final Cut Pro X is the most capable app of them all. You get what you pay for.

Sharing One iPhoto Database Between Two Accounts

Below is a reply to a question I have regarding sharing photos with my wife on the same Mac. I would like for us both to able to upload, edit, and use photos from the same iPhoto database. Do all of the buggaboos listed in the reply below still apply?
Thanks,
Jim
Re: Sharing Photo's on the same iMac between two user accounts
Posted: Jun 2, 2009 8:27 AM in response to: Thomas Harrigan Solved
Tom
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

No. All the folks who post here are just Users, like you.
Regards
TD

Using one Itunes database across two macs

Using one itunes database across two macs
I currently run a 2010 MBP (500gb hd) at home and on the road and a 2013 Imac (1Tb hd) at work. I have a large lossless itunes library of about 300gb and would like to increase the library further.
My MBP started running slowly and I realised that my iTunes library was choking the whole computer. I started to explore ways to store my library on a remote disk and bought a G drive 1Tb portable drive.
My efforts to carry out the transfer were only partially successful with most of my library transferring but a significant number of tracks displaying the ! sign which means they couldn't be located.
I have also got an Imac at work and what I had hoped to achieve was to have my iTunes database on the 1tb portable drive and use the portable disk on both my MBP and iMac.
Our technical support company are dubious about whether this will work because the local specific itunes library data on each machine will differ and each machine will not operate correctly with the underlying data on the portable drive.
I am not very technical and I am finding it difficult to follow the various posts on this board and elsewhere. Many seem to comment on splitting their library across multiple disks but I cant really seem to get to the bottom of storing my library on one disk and using it across multiple computers.
Is what I am trying to achieve practical?
If it is, can someone point me to an article/post please? Or alternatively could someone explain how I might achieve my goal.
Thanks in a advance for your help.

Here you go.
http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/ultranewb--how-to-move-your-itunes-library -to-an-external-drive-238296.php

Can I have multiple iPhoto Libraries?

My iPhoto library is getting quite large as it becomes the sole management tool for all my family & friends events (and sometimes extended family).
I've recently had twins so I've been taking hundreds of photos (and movies) of them and have created an event for each day (up to 2 weeks) then an event for each week since they were born.
I do like to have events sorted cronologically, but this means that other events - such as the imported photos from a family members visit or a friends wedding - fall in the middle of the baby photos.
I'd like to keep using iPhoto Events as my main tool for photo management as I make good use of the galleries and books etc, but is there a way I could have a second library which, say, just had my children's events in it, and another for friends and family events?
Thanks for any pointers.

I find sending lots of photos is the only way to keep the grandparents at bay..!
Careful there buckaroo. We grandparents stick together. I may have to notify them of this thread. Congrats.
I think you'll find iPhoto Library Manager a very useful tool. It's a breeze to manage multiple libraries and copy Events or Albums between them while keeping keywords, comments and titles intact.
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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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

IPhoto MESS: Multiple iphoto libraries duplicate photos

Sorry folks - this is one of those "big data" messes. I know there's a problem - just looking for a solution.
I have multiple iPhoto Libraries (unintentional) due to an old iMac which had died. There are three libraries:
Default(rebuilt) 121.41GB (current)
iPhoto Library 70GB (9 months ago)
iPhoto Starage Image.sparseimage 60.98GB (9 months ago)
It seems I'm using the first one above Default(rebuilt). That's item one.
The next deal is that I have LOADs of duplicates on the hard disk. In iPhoto I'll find an image and it's a 20kb file (low res) and really would like to have the high res file. Once I search for it - I find like three or more copies of the photo with some at 20kb and some at full res. Unfortunately iPhoto does not point to the high res files.
There are all sorts of consolidation and de-dup apps out there (iPhoto Duplicate Annihilator, Tidy Up..), but I'm not sure about this big mess. Probably take days to correct.
Is there a way to ensure that I have:
Highest Resolution of Each Photo
One Version of the Photo (No Duplicates)
One Library
Anyone help me out here?
Also seeking a better way to manage large numbers of files (iPhoto, Aperature, Lightroom, Picasa) - thinking the last two might actually be easier to mangage the issues I'm having...
THANKS!!
iMac 27 (3.4Ghz Core i7, 4GB)
Mac OS X - 10.7.5
iPhoto '11 - 9.2.3 (629.52)

As I understand it iPhoto manages all the photos in one large file within the iPhoto library. This makes it very cumbersome to load and extremeIy slow to work with as the number of photos stored in the library file increases.
It doesn't. It stores the files in folders in the Finder. Speed issues are more a function of disk space and Ram.
Assuming one can get the files all sorted out, there is at least one software application that I am aware of that uses an indexing system to manage subgroups of photos you define and by referencing the larger iPhoto library. It is called IPhoto Buddy
iPhoto Buddy is a pointless app that simply allows you to choose between iPhoto Libraries. You can do exactly the same simply by holding the option (or alt) key when launching iPhoto. It indexes nothing and hasn't been developed for several years now. From their own website:
iPhoto Buddy is fully compatible with every version of Apple's iLife suite, from iLife '04 through iLife '09.
Regards
TD

Multiple iphoto libraries and sharing (Facebook & iCloud)

Hi All,
I have split my iPhoto library into two separate libraries - one for work photos, one for personal photos. This all works nicely and I'm happy with how it went.
I have a question about sharing photos though...does the sharing I've set up with Facebook and iCloud photostreams travel "with" the library, or is that a higher level, "iPhoto wide" setting?
For example, say in the formerly single library, I had shared a number of personal photos on Facebook and various shared photostreams. Now, in the new "work" library, I delete those photos. I saw the "update" wheel spinning beside the Facebook item in the sidebar when I did so. Should I have turned off sharing for the "work" library?
I guess the question comes down to - does (or can) each iPhoto library have its own sharing settings?

To answer my own question....
With the "work" library open, I turned off my FB account. Tried opening up the "personal" library, and the FB account was not enabled. So the FB sharing is an "app wide" setting, not a "library level" setting. I turned it back on and I'm good to go. All the pics are still up on FB, and viewable from iPhoto, so I guess it's working fine.
Seems a bit counter-intuitive to me...I would think that if you had multiple libraries for different people, you would want to be able to associate specific FB accounts with those libraries. I.e. Susie's FB account with Susie's library, Johnny's FB account with Johnny's library, etc.
But perhaps that's where one would be better off having multiple user accounts on the Mac.

Multiple iPhoto libraries facial recognition

I have decided to use multiple iPhoto libraries. In one library I have used facial recognition for all of my photos. Q: When I move to the next library will iPhoto recognize those faces?

No
One of the many reasons that multiple libraries are not recommended - iPhoto is a SQLite database and it is most powerful when you have one database - there is no connection of any sort between different libraries
LN

Multiple iPhoto libraries on my ext hard drive back up

Hi I have a problem with multiple iPhoto libraries on my ext hard drive back up They are different sizes and large 120gb Is there any way I can rationalise the libraries without the risk of losing data? My iPhoto library on the Mac appears to be complete but with >200gb of photos I cannot be sure.

I upgraded to Lion OS and suffered multiple crashes necessitating a complete rebuild of the system - reformat the main hard drive and install Lion OS from a disk In an effort to be absolutely sure I didn't lose data I have been overenthusiastic in transferring photos to the backup disk dragging and dropping files that contained images as well as a full transfer of "mymac" before reformating. Time machine backup was not realistic as this was the one operation which caused most of the "hangs" System now appears to be working well with Lion OS but I have masses of duplicate jpeg files in multiple folders and libraries - I am considering purchasing Duplicate Annihilator to deal with the duplicates then perhaps I should try to merge the libraries with iPhoto manager?

Multiple iPhoto databases on 1 mac?

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