Old Toad's DB automator for iPhoto 08?

Listing in Toad's Cellar says iPhoto 6 and 7 but wasn't sure if, maybe, it would work with 8 and listing simply hasn't been updated. . . .

iPhoto '08 is version 7.x.y -- go figure
so it gets called both - properly it is iPhoto '08 version 7.1.5 currently
Old toad's automator does work with the current version and with the previous version (iPhoto 6) and he has another one that works with iPhoto 5 - and I highly recommend using it - OFTEN! - in addition to regular backups of the iPhoto library
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

Similar Messages

Misc questions - Old Toad - back up to dvd's and iphoto database files

Old Toad
Burning dvd's for back up.
I see that if I command-click Event folders the size increases down where it says information in the left bottom corner. Keep it to 4gig or less for each dvd. That works for me. When doing this does it also save any keywords etc.
I would happily go through my library this way to get a secure iphoto archive. Safest way... no?
If I did have to restore from these, what happens... is it like re-importing them, like Import to library under file menu.
(I haven't decided on an external back up HD system yet. Plus they can fail too. Right now I have 3 computers, they can talk via ethernet. One has an additional internal which i've been using to back up Mail, Ical, Address book, and other info like plist etc. Including my wife and 2 kids, I have 4 users to manage.)
Thanks for any advice you have.
ps./ I went to your site. What's up with this font - HelveticaNeue.dfont. Do I need this?
I downloaded the iphoto db back up. Will readme to figure out. (where exactly does the iphoto database file exist)
Thanks again.
Dave Stamm

David:
If you use the Share->Burn menu option you will preserve the keywords, comments and titles.
Burning to DVD is a good way to archive the photos for later use in iPhoto if necessary. To get those photos back into an iPhoto library just mount the disk with iPhoto open. It will show up in the left hand pane under the Events and Photos icon. Drag the entire disk icon or drag individual albums or events (not shown in the video screenshot below) onto the Events icon like this.
However, for a way to quickly recover from a damaged library I suggest a backup copy of the library on a second hard drive. You can perform incremental backups of the library, copying only new or editied files, with a backup application like Synk. It only takes about a minute or less to perform an incremental backup. There are several other backup applications that can do incremental backups on iPhoto Library packages. Yes external HDs can fail but having both fail at the same time would be unusual unless you were to experience a power surge that would blow everything powered up. I have an external HD that I only turn on when I do a backup of specific files and folders (in addition to Time Machine), daily or every other day.
The Helvetica Neue font is what iPhoto 8 uses for Event titles, the number of photos selected and being dragged, etc. If it is missing or deactivated you wouldn't be able to change Event names or click and drag photos. If you're not having that problem there's nothing to worry about.
The database file resides inside the iPhoto Library package which is in the Pictures folder (default location).
OT

Old Toad's automator workflow to backup Library6.iPhoto database

Dear Old Toad,
I just today downloaded your workflow to backup the iPhoto database file, and am having problems making it work.
When I run it, either from the dock or the script menu, it launches Automator but then closes without doing anything. I don't get a confirmation screen, and no copy of the database is created.
So I opened it in Automator to see if editing it would help, even though my library is already named iPhoto Library and stored in user/pictures. When I dragged it onto the Automator window, there was only 1 action (Get Specified Finder Items) instead of the 4 that show up in the ReadMe. When I dragged it onto the Automator app to open it, I got nothing.
I downloaded it via Firefox 3.0.1 and got a 1.1MB zip, and I tried downloading it twice in case it had corrupted in the download, but no change with the second try. Downloaded from here:
http://web.mac.com/toad.hall/ToadsCellar/ToadsCellar.html
Running OS 10.4.11, iPhoto 7.1.5, on a G4.
Something else I can try?
Thanks,
Daiya
Message was edited by: Daiya

Yes. Run the application like you would use the Save command in other applications, often. Running it again will overwrite the current backup copy with a new backup that will include all changes you've made to your library, new pictures, deletions, slideshows, books, etc.
I suggested keeping it in the dock so you can quickly run it after any changes you've made to the library. Being in the Dock makes it more convenient than having to go into the Application folder and launching it from there.
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.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Another question for Old Toad (or anyone else) about backing up iPhoto

Obviously, I am not understanding what I am supposed to do or see when I try to backup my iPhoto library.
My iPhoto Library folder is in "Pictures".
I have downloaded the "iPhoto db File Backup" and put the icon in the dock.
Now, what do I do to perform the backup? I tried opening iPhoto and highlighting Library in the Source pane, then I tried highlighting all the pictures in the library, then I tried highlighting the iPhoto Library folder in Pictures and clicking the db file backup icon in each case. Nothing happened - at least I don't think anything happened. I was expecting a second folder with the title "iPhoto Library copy" or something like that to appear. What should I look for?
Also, when I opened my iPhoto Library folder, I found the following among the list of all the rolls of photos:
Library.iPhoto
Library6.iPhoto
When I clicked on each of them, my entire library of photos opened along with the following message:
Unreadable files: 1
The following file could not be imported. (The file is in the iPhoto Library folder.)
/Users/my name/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Library6.iPhoto
I don't understand what this means and what I did - or shouldn't have done. If I did something wrong, can I undo it?
Finally, I also saw the following and tried to open them to see what they are, but couldn't. A message window said I had to choose an application that would open them and I didn't know what to choose. What are these three items?
Thumb32Segment.data
Thumb64Segment.data
ThumbJPGSegment.data
I'm keen to backup all the photos I have so would appreciate whatever help/explanations readers can give me with all of this.
Sauble

sauble
What are you trying to back up specifically:
Your Photos Only
or
Your iPhoto Library (this includes Albums, books, slideshows, etc)
or
Your database file.
Old Toad’s wee application is designed to back up the database file only. It’s intended for use when you’re organising the photos in your Library and it’s a handy protection against damage if the app crashes. But it does not back up any photos.
To back up you iPhoto Library:
Make a copy on another disk of the iPhoto Library in your Pictures Folder. Copy it as a single unit. Using a Back Up utility such as DejaVu or Chronosync you can make incremental copies - that is, as you make changes to the Library the original back up is updated. (There are many, many back up utilities: search on MacUpdate.)
To back up your Photos only
Select them in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export, select the version you want (Kind: Original or Kind: Current) and export them to another disk.
Note that none of these involves rooting around in the iPhoto Library itself. There are no user serviceable parts there. Any time you go in there you risk damaging the Library.
Library.iPhoto
Library6.iPhoto
Are the main database files. You’ve done no damage I would guess. There is no way of reading those files unless you’re a programmer.
Thumb32Segment.data
Thumb64Segment.data
ThumbJPGSegment.data
These are cache files. Iphoto needs them but there’s no reason for you to open them. Even if you did they’d make little sense to you.
The iPhoto Library is a bit like under the bonnet in your car. Fine if you know what you’re doing, but a lot of folks are better off staying out of there.
Regards
TD

Old Toad? -- Rebuild iPhoto Library and lose NOTHING!

Hi,
Any help will be very much appreciated (I'm particularly hoping the old toad will be hopping over to this thread)...
I'm running iPhoto 6 and have been using iPhoto since version 3.0. I have a library of about 10,000 photos which I have meticulously organised and catalogued. I don't use albums, but eveything is organised by film rolls and every photo has keywords (names of those photographed, which I access via smart-albums), ratings, comments, and titles.
My iPhoto library, though working perfectly, is a complete mess. I can manually see dozens of duplicates (often whole folders) and it's driving me barmy...
In iTunes, I can simply copy all of my music files to a backup disc, delete all iTunes related stuff from my HD, then re-import. I lose star ratings, albums and playcounts but my careful cataloguing is preserved and I have a pristine library.
I have a feeling that old versions of iPhoto didn't allow such re-importing. How about now? Is there a way to just save the photo files, trash everything, and re-import. What would be lost? It would be a disaster of epic proportions if I lost (a) titles, (b) comments, (c) *most importantly* keywords...
I don't care about albums, and smart albums are easy to re-create. Is what I am suggesting possible?
Thanks in advance,
Steve.

Steven:
The _2 is generated when a photo with the same name is added to a roll that already has a file by that name. If your camera has the option to turn off resetting the numbering process on each new set of photos I suggest you do so. That will avoid duplicate image file issues that can crop up when trying to export photos to a folder.
As far as the duplicates, the thumbnails don't take up much room and the modified files are only when you edit one. If you want to regain that space just do a Revert to Original and the modified file will be deleted. Many of the modified files are portrait orientated images that have been taken by a camera with the auto-rotate option. There's no way around it unless you turn off the option, upload to the desktop and then physically rotate with a 3rd party application before importing into iPhoto.
What with the low cost of external FW hard drives these days it's not expensive to have a decent sized backup drive that you can store older or not immediately needed photos in a separate library and then use iPhoto Library Manager to move between the two and copy photos between them without losing the keywords, comments, etc. Or you can use iPhoto in its alias mode with the source files on the external HD and only a very small library folder on your boot drive. I have 27,000 image files on my external HD and the library folder for it is only 1.7G. See these Tutorials for more about the alias type of library.,
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.

Earth to Old Toad: Library6.iPhoto

dear old toad
have read your little tip about backing up the 'Library6.iPhoto' file to avoid possible catastrophe. does this just apply to iphoto 06 users upgrading to iphoto 08? or is it for us iphoto newbies as well?
thanks
green frog

That file is the heard of the iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries. It contains all of the information regarding files, books, slideshows, edits, etc. If it gets damaged you library may look like it doesn't have any photos in it at all when it really does. Having a current backup copy of it will let you easily and quickly reset the library to the point in time that the backup was make.
Of course Time Machine makes hourly backups of your entire disk (if setup that way) but you might have added photos, books or did a lot of editing/organizational work in the library since the last TM backup and if there's an interruption causing the file to be damaged you will have lost all of that work. Using the Applicator application that I created like a Save function that other applications have will let you stay current so as to not lose any data or effort.
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.

Old Toad! I'm Missing the expected DPI lines in iPhoto 6 .plist File

Old Toad:
Using Pref Setter to examine my iPhoto 6's com.apple.iPhoto.plist, I have discovered something very strange. Some of the lines you say we should edit are outright missing from the file. See below for lines present and not present in my plist:
BookTargetDPI - 300 (present)
BookTargetImageDPI - 150 (not present)
BookTargetMediumDPI-300 (present)
BookTargetMediumImage - 150 (not present)
BookTargetSmallDPI - 300 (present)
BookTargetSmallImageDPI - 300 (not present)
The "low DPI" lines are outright missing, even after searching with Pref Setter's nice search function. Could this be the very reason that so many people are complaining about books coming back from Apple with such low quality? Should these non-present lines be added into to our iPhoto 6 plist? This could resolve the book quality issue...My most recent book was lousy and I sent it back.
Thanks!
STEVE

Steve:
I just brought up my pref file for a new library and it is missing those particular keys also. Maybe the 6.0.2 update did away with them. It looks like iPhoto is assigning 300 dpi to all portions of the book uniformly and got rid of the image dpi settings. The three book target image keys is set at 300 and probably applies to images as well.

Message to Old Toad regarding DB back-up automator

Hi Old Toad,
I have downloaded the automator you made in order to back-up the iPhoto library. I am just confused on one thing, even after reading the README file.
You wrote: "When launched, this Automator work flow application will copy the iPhoto
database file, Library6.iPhoto, from the iPhoto Library package to the Pictures
folder replacing any previous version of it there."
I understood from the tip you wrote in each of your answers on the forum, that the automator you create, when running, makes a back-up of the library when needed. However, when I read the README file, I understand that it helps in RESTORING the original file if corrupted since it replaces the library located in the picture folder. I am afraid to run it if it replace my current library in the pictures folder, loosing all my pictures/books/etc.
Could you please clarify? Thanks!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
I'm not OT but as his younger and better looking pal...
When you run the Action it creates a copy of the database file.
That copy is put into your Pictures Folder. If there's a previous copy already there, that will be overwritten. It does not move or in any way affect the running db file within your Library, it just copies.
Then should you need to restore a damaged db file, you can move this copy into the pkg file and you're off an running again.
Regards
TD

Old Toad - help with lost iPhoto Library

I posted in the iPhoto 06 board by mistake, I am actually running 08. I found the iPhoto library in Pictures, but it stopped in July 07, and I seem to have lost a year's worth of photos. Do you have any advice?

Miriam:
It may be that the photos are still there but that bunch has been lost from the database file. Try the three fixes below in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select all options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open Photo window
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
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.

For Old Toad - Your Scrolling Text

Hi Old Toad,
I went to your example site and copied the code for your scrolling banner. I inserted the code as an html widget and all I did was change the text color and the text itself. I tried it out by publishing to a folder and for some reason it does not seem to work?
Do you need to publish to a server or MobileMe for it to work? Will it not work when publishing to a folder?
Any idea why not?

I just tried adding the same code to a new text site and it won't work. It just shows the text and doesn't scroll. I found another site and it's code work:.
http://www.quackit.com/html/htmlgenerators/html_marqueegenerator.cfm
There are lots or scrolling marquee generator sites out there. Some let you use background images, etc.
I had do do some tweaking of the color, size, etc. but it worked as advertised.

Where can I get iPhoto v5 Templates for iPhoto 08?

My wife and I are very disappointed to see our favorite photo book templates missing in iPhoto '08. It has delayed our purchase of two new iBooks and/or upgrades to Leopard.
We have enjoyed making photo books together. And we purchased a 30" screen and a 17" MacBook Pro to enhance the experience. We have discovered that iPhoto 06 will not run remotely through the MacBook Pro because of library conflicts. We are limited to using iPhoto 06 on our old G4 Macbooks, but it is not the same as sharing the enjoyment on the large screen.
Apple Computer has disappointed us here. Any way we can get the old templates so we can either buy Family Pack Leopard and enjoy iPhoto '08, or are all parties stuck here?
Karen & Rick

Rick:
I tried using an older theme with iPhoto 8 and it just wouldn't work. One user claimed to have been able to get them installed for iPhoto 8. Do a search for "older themes" or "iPhoto 6 themes" in the iPhoto 8 forum.
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.

Choosing an optimal size ( file size, MB's,tiff or jpg) for iphoto

I apologize to Old toad and others who have responded. OT seems to be the only one who answers so much. He deserves a standing ovation which i am giving him now.
But:
Lets start at the beginning. I am a semi-pro (i do not make my living on my photography) who never used Iphoto but must now because i wish to create a 100 page book.
I have files mostly tiffs that range from 17.2 to 60 MBs in size ( 3008-5000 /2000-3000 dpi ). I see that Iphoto ad nauseum creates a thumbnail, and a copy of the original photo for each photo. This is not HD friendly.
How big in pixel size/file size in MB's should the files be so that i do not use so much HD space? Should i just go ahead and drag the files that i have and allow for 5-10 GB of photos to accumulate on my HD? I realize i do not need
my files so big and that is why i ask here in the forums.
I realize most of my files are non compressed tiffs,i.e. big in file size.
What say you? Please be specific. Mention a specific file
size in MB's please
thanks

Glen:
I've created several books. They were with cameras that produced 1600 x 1200 pixel image files which will give a maximum 300 dpi size of 5.3 x 4 inches. All of my books have been the Storybook theme so the one photo per page is not a full page and I've never run into the warning for low resolution. Possiblly a full 8.5 x 11 photo page would have given me a warning. For the intended use of the books I found them to be very good. My Canon camera's color profile is very close to the Apple recommended sRGB so I've calibrated my monitor with the sRGB profile. Any edits I do with Photoshop CS3 embed the sRGB profile in the resulting file.
My current camera gives me 2272 x 2704 images. Haven't ordered a book since I've started using it but am in the process of creating one right now.
It's not the MB size of the file that's important but the number of pixels in the image. For a full page photos, an image size of 3300 x 2250 would meet the optimal 300 dpi of the printing by Apple's suppliers. However, I have no doubt that my current camera's files would produce a good print at that size. That is if I got a good sharp image to start with.
So a 3300 x 2250 pixel jpg would provide just as good a print as the same sized tiff. Just keep as many pixels in the image as you can. For those good photographers that can do their cropping when they take the image that will maximize the files pixels for printing. I don't have the eye for that. But then my photos are of rapidly changing family situations and I don't have time top compose the picture.
I asked Apple about the printing and quality of materials used in the books and here's their replay:
I contacted Apple and asked for information that I could pass on. Here's the reply I received from Apple:
"Thank you for contacting the Apple Print Products Customer Service.
I understand that you would like to know the printing process that is used and the color mode the files should be in, so you can better advise users in the iPhoto forum.
iPhoto version 4 or later, allows you to import and print files through the Apple Print Product service as RGB, grayscale, or CMYK color space. JPEG files with RGB color space are recommended for best results.
While iPhoto 2 can import files of various formats, including RGB color, grayscale, and CMYK, this version requires JPEG files with RGB color space when printing photos and books.
For more information regarding iPhoto 2, please visit the following article:
iPhoto: Color, Black and White Prints Appear Garbled or Distorted
For more information regarding iPhoto 5, please visit the following article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=165501
Here are some of the technical specifications for the books, cards, and calendars. I hope this gives you an idea about their quality and form.
BOOKS
All iPhoto books are printed using acid-free paper for long-lasting image quality. The photos are printed at a high resolution (300DPI if you use iPhoto 6). There is no external modification--such as sharpening or contrast adjustment--of the photos; what you see in the application is what is printed in the book.
Hardcovers Books
The cover is hard-bound and covered in linen. You select the linen color during the book-ordering process. The hardcover books have a solid, stiff binding that is glued and crimped. The internal pages, measuring 8.5 x 11 inches, are printed on McCoy 100# Text Gloss paper stock.
Softcover Books
The softcover books come in three sizes:
- Large 8.5 x 11 inches
- Medium 6 x 8 inches
- Small 2.6 x 3.5 inches
All of the softcover books have internal pages that are printed on McCoy 100# Text Gloss paper stock. The large softcover book has a white cover (Kromekoteplus Folding Cover, 16 point) with a cutout on the front that reveals the cover-page photo in the book. The covers for the medium and small softcover books have the cover image and title printed directly on the cover. All of the softcover books have a glued binding and feature a thick cover of McCoy 100# Cover Gloss paper stock.
CARDS
All cards are printed on McCoy 120# Silk Cover paper stock. The postcards measure 4 x 6 inches, and the greeting cards measure 5 x 7inches.
CALENDARS
All calendars measure 8 x 10 inches and are printed on McCoy 100# Silk Cover paper stock.
To ensure the best print quality, we have chosen to use Kodak NexPress technology. The press uses a dry toner, which is fused to the surface of the paper. Please see NexPress' site for more information:
KODAK NEXPRESS 2500 Digital Production Color Press
I hope you find this information helpful in answering questions on the iPhoto forum."
As Apple stated, I hope this information is helpful.
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.
MBP 2.16Ghz; G5 Dual Core 2GHz, 2G RAM ea, 250G HD; G4 Dual 1Ghz, 1.5G RAM; Mac OS X (10.4.10) 22" LCD, 710G FW HDs, Canon: SD700IS/i850/LIDE 50, Epson R200, 30G iPod, 2G Nano

Fix for iPhoto lost thumbnails on an external drive

I've had a few times when iPhoto seems to have lost all my thumbnails and pictures. I finally figured out what caused it and how to solve it. I thought others might be interested.
The problem occurs because of 2 things:
1. I store my iPhoto Library on an external drive.
2. While running iPhoto, the external drive becomes disconnected by mistake (usually because I kick the power cord)
I found that the problem is that iPhoto still tries to write the library files to the same location as it used to be. In order to fix the problem, you just need to remove the files that were created accidently. Here are the steps I used for iPhoto '06 and Max OS X 10.3.9 on an eMac. I'm guessing they'll work with other versions, but have not tested them.
0. Quit iPhoto. Make sure you have a current back-up of all your files (don't you always
1. Write down the name of the drive where you store your iPhoto library on the external drive:
I'll use <drive> in the remainder of this description. Replace that text with the name you just wrote down.
2. Open the "Terminal" inside "Applications/Utilities/"
3. Type "cd /Volumes". This is where Mac connects external drives to your UNIX filesystem. "cd" means "change directory" to the "/Volumes" drive.
4. Type "ls". You should see the name of your drive there. "ls" means "list" the contents.
5. Eject the <drive> from you Mac via the Trash Can and turn it off as normal.
6. Type "ls". Normally your drive should disappear from this listing. However, you'll notice that the drive still appears there. The problem is that there are really 2 directories there, one gets over-written when you attach an external drive. But having 2 causes lots of problems.
7. With the drive off, you want to move the 2nd directory out of the way. To do this, you will need to become a root user for a moment. This is done with the "sudo" which means "switch user and do something then switch back". The first time you use it in a terminal you will be required to type the administrator password. It's a very powerful command, but keeps you from getting into the wrong mode forever.
8. Type "sudo mv '<drive>' '<drive>.wrong'". This switches users, "moves" the bad directory to another directory name (ie. rename for UNIX). Make sure to use the single quote (') in case the name of your drive has spaces in it.
This doesn't remove the bad files, just moves them out of the way. That way if this doesn't work, you can just move it back with the reverse command "sudo mv '<drive>.wrong' '<drive>'".
9. Now turn your drive back on.
10. Type "ls". Your <drive> should now re-appear in this listing.
11. Restart iPhoto. It may ask you to locate the Library again.
Please note that these instructions are only provided to help other users running into the same problem. Also, I am not responsible for any lost data by following these instructions.
Also, if anyone finds this doesn't work, or has way to improve these steps, please feel free to post a reply.
eMac Mac OS X (10.3.9) iLife 06

It would be much easier if you make frequent backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and when you have a disconnect like you did, just replace the damaged file with the backup version. It is important to have a "recent" backup so you can get back where you were. So I've created an Automator application that will copy the file to the Pictures folder, label it orange, any time you click on it. So you can backup after any import, or work on a book, slideshow,etc. You don't need to close iPhoto to do it. Just don't be writing the the database file. You can download the application at Toad's Cellar.
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.
G5 Dual Core 2GHz, 2G RAM, 250G HD; G4 Dual 1Ghz, 1.5G RAM, 80G HD, QT 7.1.3, Mac OS X (10.4.9) 22 LCD, 250G/200G/160G FW HDs, Canon: SD700IS/i850/LIDE 50, Epson R200, 30G iPod

Using an iMac and mac air together for iPhoto editing and organisation

I want my iMac and macair to be synced for iPhoto purposes.
I followed this thread and have saved my iPhoto library from the iMac to an external drive.
I assume I can plug the drive into the macair and make changes. Or is it intended that I copy the drive to the macair?
I am having difficulty understanding how the sync of changes on the macair will be reflected on the iMac?
Veronica

One question, how does this affect syncing to iTunes? Will it recognise the iPhoto drive on both computers (depending which one has the drive at that time) if I sync photo albums to my iPhone and iPad?
iTunes will always sync with the last iPhoto library that has been used on the computer. If you make sure, that the drive has been connected, before you launch iTunes, it will work, like Old Toad said.
Also, if I do it this way doesn't it become vulnerable due to not being connected at all times to time machine?
if you use the drive with the library the mainly on your iMac, you could exclude it from the TimeMachine backup of your Laptop. Keep it connected to the iMac, when you are not using it on the LapTop.
What would be the process if I only wanted to do this periodically and wanted to keep the main library on the iMac. Could I work on the drive on the macair and then save it back to the iMac? How do I do that without duplicating the files? If I just select copy and paste, will it only overwrite the changed files?
You would have to copy the entire library back and forth again and again, or use iPhoto Library Manager, to merge the changes into the library on the iMac. It would not be an easy workflow.

Why does it take so long for iPhoto 6 to duplicate a photo?

I've got 3GB of RAM and it takes 10 seconds for iPhoto to simply duplicate a photo in my library. It is also a relatively lengthy process on my 20" iMac.
I select "Duplicate" from the menu or command-D, and then the "importing photo" screen comes up, there's a progress bar, and it takes WAY TOO LONG.
I've rebuilt my library many times, fixed permissions, converted all my color profiles to the generic one that iPhoto will place nice with, etc.
It didn't use to take this long, and I only have 7000 photos in my library!
Power Mac Dual 2Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

With my setup it takes 3 seconds to duplicate a 3MB file in iPhoto. A lot will depend on the processor speed (we're the same) memory (again the same) and free space on the HD (I've got much more than 20G). My Mac, however, is a G5 and that may be the difference.
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.

Old Toad's DB automator for iPhoto 08?

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