Opening pictures in iPhoto from other programs

Question

I'm wanting to use pictures from my iPhoto library in other programs-- i.e. Photoshop Elements or to upload to a website. When working from Photoshop Elements, when I go to File>Open>Pictures>iPhotoLibrary I get an error message. The only way I seem to be able to USE any of my photos stored in iPhoto is if I copy them to my "pictures" folder in the Finder and then use them. Of course, this means I am using double the space on my hard drive. There must be an easier way. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

So if I use Photoshop as an external editor, the Save function is only saving a copy? Does the copy go back into the original event this way?
When you set Photoshop (or an Image Editor) as an external and then go to edit the pic here's what happens:
1. iPhoto makes a copy of the file and sends the copy to Photoshop
2. Make your edits
3. Save.
4. The Edited version is returned to iPhoto and saved in the Modified Folder.
5. A new thumbnail is made and replaces the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window
Thereafter if you want to get to the Original you have several options:
a: Photos -> Revert to Original - this destroys the modified version
b: Export using the File -> Export command, set the *Kind: Original*
c. Any other form of export yields the edited version.
In Windows if one chooses save when editing in Photoshop, the original is overwritten,
This is true in Photoshop on the Mac too, the difference is you're using iPhoto, and it's +iPhoto making the copy+. Hence the 'Save As' to preserve your original is unnecessary.
which i can't seem to access in Finder browse mode or from iPhoto
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
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*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD