Opening iphoto album images in photoshop etc

Question

Hi - does anybody know how to open iphoto albums and import your photos into applications like Photoshop and Illustrator? When you search the iphoto library from within these applicaitons it displays your photo files by date and then separate sub folders - very infuriating! If you're using illustrator and want to import say 8 images, you have to drag them from iphoto library to the desk top so when you import them you can find them instantly. Copying everything over like this has virtually rendered my iphoto app as completely useless. Annoying because I like it very much otherwise. Any suggestions?
Thanks. M

Answer 1

Hi mafioso,
The way you are doing is the best way (exporting to the desktop). If an application supports drag and drop, you can drag from the iPhoto viewing window into your application.
If you just want to edit a photo in PS, you can set up PS as your external editor in iPhoto's Preferences.
From iPhoto Help menu:
"Choosing what happens when you click the Edit button
When you want to edit a photo, you can have the photo open in iPhoto's edit view, in a separate window, in full-screen view, or in another application.
To choose a preference:
Choose iPhoto > Preferences.
Click General at the top of the Preferences window.
Under Edit Photo, select one of the following options:
"In main window" opens the photo in the main viewing area.
"In separate window" opens the photo in a separate window.
"Using full screen" opens the photo in full-screen view.
"In application" opens the photo in another application you choose.
To open a photo in its own window when "Main window" is selected, press the Option key when double-clicking the photo.
To open a photo in edit view when "Separate window" is selected, press the Option key when double-clicking the photo.
Note: Any video clip you imported into iPhoto will always open in QuickTime Player when you double-click it."
To have the edits reflected in iPhoto you must "save" a flattened image with the same name.