Saving iPhoto library

I am preparing to wipe my hard disk and do a clean install of Tiger. However, I want to save my iPhoto library, *keeping all of the albums and metadata intact*. How do I do that?

Drag the iPhoto Library in the Pictures item of the Finder's sidebar to another drive or partition, and move it back afterwards. That partition needs to be formatted to Mac OS Extended or the library encapsulated in a Mac OS Extended format disk image; these can be created from the Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder.
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How do I import a saved Iphoto Library into Iphoto

Hi All,
Apologies if this is a simple question but I just cant figure out the best way to do this...
I exported my Iphoto Library onto an external hard drive when I reimaged my mac. I now want to import them back into Iphoto but when I hit import the Library is greyed out as an option. I can view the photos when I select that Library on launching IPhoto but it wont let me import them.
How do I go about doing this? It must be possible! I would be a lot more comfortable having my photos saved natively on the Mac as well as the Hard Drive.
Thanks in advance,
Oli

Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Since only one option can be run at a time start with
Option #3, followed by #4 and then #1 as needed.
Fix #2
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 Home/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: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
OT

Restore saved iPhoto library after hard drive repair

My hard drive crashed and Apple were kind enough to repair it although it happened 1 week after the extended warranty expired. I was able to save the hard drive files to an external drive just before it died, but now when I try and import the iPhoto library back into the newly repaired computer one of 2 things happen: The photos begin to transfer and then the application (iPhoto) unexpectedly quits, or, the blue bar at the bottom says Working and nothing happens for as long as 10 minutes.
I would really appreciate some help as I no longer have covered support. One of the photo text files may be corrupted. How do I identify the problem file?
Thanks very much,
Colin Sieff

That's because importing from another iPhoto Library folder isn't the way to restore an iPhoto Library. I'm surprised you were able to do it without a bunch of warning dialogs.
If you still have the original iPhoto Library folder intact, the thing to do is restore it as I've described earlier. If you have sufficient disk space, quit iPhoto and drag the existing iPhoto Library folder from Pictures to the desktop. Then drag your backup iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, and the only thing left to do is to start iPhoto. If all's well, move the desktop copy of the iPhoto Library folder to the trash, then empty the trash.

Copying saved iphoto library from external hard drive back to Macbook Pro

Please help, I have accidentally managed to permanently delete my iphoto library and by this I mean that I somehow dragged my library into trash and then emptied it. I don't know how this happend but I quite quickly found out I had done it and shut my computer down. I have since done a recovery with disk drill and have hopefully recovered most of my photos though I havent had time to look through all the 1000's of photos yet. I do have a copied version of my library on an external hard drive that I did in 2012 and I have tried to copy this library back to my pictures folder so i at least have my photos up to 2012 back but it is not working. I have read through some of the threads on here regarding iphoto library back ups and I think the issue might be that the external hard drive is formatted Fat32 and not os extended.
I am hoping someone can help me get this working. Here are the facts.
1. I am running iphoto 11, version 9.2.3 on a macbook pro running os x 10.6.8
2. The copied iphoto library is on an external hard drive that is fat32 formatted. I can open the package contents and see the originals folder with all the yearly folders inside and all the numbered folders inside that with the pictures in them, so I know the pictures are there.
3. If I try to copy the library folder over to the pictures folder on the macbook i just get a pop up window saying 'preparing to copy iphoto library' and the scrolling bar but the copy doesn't actually start.
4. If I try to open the library through iphoto by holidng down the option key, iphoto tells me that the library has to be upgraded but i am reluctant to upgrade the original copy of the library. I would prefer to copy it first in case anything goes wrong but then i have the problem above that the copy doesn't work
Thank you in advance for any help.

The copied iphoto library is on an external hard drive that is fat32 formatted.
Therein lies the problem. iPhoto libraries need to be stored, placed on a disk formatted OS X Extended (journaled). The FAT format doesn't support the complexity of an iPhoto library and can, and more often than not, corrupt a library.
Try the following:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download the free version of iPhoto Library Manager and launch.>Click on the Add Library button,
2 - select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
3 - make sure that in the rebuild window the checkbox "Scavange orphaned photos" is checked.
4 - now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
5 - in the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed, i.e. in the Pictures folder of your MBP. Click on the Create button.
Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

Need help saving iPhoto library from damaged hard drive

Trying to help my wife, she has the following:
MacBook Pro running OS X Lion version 10.7.3
iPhoto 11 version 9.2.2
Her hard drive failed last week and she had a ton of photos on it, of course not backed up.
We took her machine to the local Apple Store, they confirmed they couldn't recover the data and they installed a new hard drive in the MacBook. We took the old hard drive to my local PC supplier who's very clever, he worked on the hard drive and was able to copy all my wife's documents to another storage device.....but, he couldn't copy the iPhoto library and is requesting some help.....he doesn't know much about Macs, nor how iPhoto works.
I've read a lot of the posts on this forum and am learning about how the iPhoto library works....and how it requires a Mac based back up hard drive in order to copy it. Okay, here are my questions:
1. My PC troubleshooting guy can see the iPhoto library icon on the damaged hard drive, he says its a huge file. It appears we would need to supply him with a Mac formated back up hard drive, then he could just move that iPhoto library icon (which contains all photos) to the new back up drive. Is this correct?
2. Once we have this old iPhoto library on the new back up hard drive, we could bring it home of course, but then I need to get it into the new hard drive on my wife's MacBook Pro. I'm assuming I can plug this back up drive into my wife's machine, then import the old library into her machine. How do I do this properly?
3. If I bring the old library into the new MacBook Pro hard drive, will it erase the existing iPhoto library on her new hard MacBook Pro hard drive, or will it combine them somehow? She has added of course some pics to the new iPhoto library already, but if we have to delete them it won't kill us. The old stuff that got recovered from the damaged drive is more important.
Thanks ahead.....now to the experts?

Thanks Terence.....
regarding this point:
3. use the paid version ($20) of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the Libraries. that way you won't lose anything.
I have another access to her new photos, whereby I could reload them onto her MacBook if we lose the new library.....so I'll save the $20 and just reload them.....two more questions:
1. So, if I drag the iPhoto library folder from the new back up hard drive to the Pictures Folder in Finder, will that overwrite the existing library folder on her MacBook?
2. After I drag this folder into finder, will iPhoto recognize everything? I assume yes....just checking.
thanks ahead!

Saving iphoto library in DVD, how to?

Please give me a list of simple steps in order to do that.
I want to save the photos and be able to see them in iPhoto and I want to save them for backup and eventual viewing in non Mac computers.

I want to save the photos and be able to see them in iPhoto and I want to save them for backup and eventual viewing in non Mac computers.<<<</div>
You can't have it both ways and you really should burn two separate DVDs. For backup purposes, stay out of iPhoto. Insert a blank disk and drag the iPhoto library AS AN ENTITY onto the disk image and burn the DVD.
For the non-Mac computers, open iPhoto and select all the photos that you want on DVD. Export to a temporary folder on the desktop and exit iPhoto. Then, insert a blank disk and drag the temporary folder onto the disk image and burn the DVD. After the burn, trash the temp folder.

Using a backed-up iPhoto Library - HELP!!

Hi all. I'm looking for some guidance on how to recover photos that were recovered from a failing hard drive. My wife had a collection of digital photos that were originally imported in to Aperture 2.0. A while later, she started using iPhoto 09 for new photos. Eventually, she imported all of the photos from Aperture into iPhoto 09. Her collection is just over 2,500 photos. Well, last week, her hard drive started to act up and she asked me to back up her pics, and to do it from iPhoto as that's where the total photo collection then resided (Aperture + iPhoto). So I did, and we eventually had her hard drive repaired. After reinstalling iPhoto, I planned to just put the original saved iPhoto library that I backed up for her back into her pictures folder. I did, but now, when we open iPhoto, we are presented with the error message "unable to locate original" and the options are "cancel" or "locate original." So now you see our delimma (the originals went away with the bad hard drive).
Can someone please advise as to how to proceed? All of the photos are there, in the copied library, however, we are unable to use them as they are. Is there a way to convert them so they will work (hopefully without loosing all of their new attributes, e.g. "place", "faces", etc.)
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Regards, bamarich.

What do you mean when you say:
All of the photos are there, in the copied library, however, we are unable to use them as they are.
and
So now you see our delimma (the originals went away with the bad hard drive).
It sounds like iPhoto was running in Referenced mode.* Was it?
If the actual photos “went away with the bad hard drive“ then they are gone.
Regards
TD
*If you're running a Managed library, then it's the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing
If you're running a Referenced Library, then you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing.
Regards
TD

How do I access my iphoto library on time machine backup external drive using Lion, originally saved from old computer and system

how do I access my iphoto library on time machine backup external drive using Lion, originally saved off old computer and system. It's not letting me open the folder???

Once again here's how to restore an iPhoto Library from Time Machine:

"Edited versions will be saved in the iPhoto library"

"When you edit these images in iPhoto, however, the edited versions will be saved in the iPhoto library, not your original files. Your original files remain untouched."
Is there any way for this not to happen? I love iPhoto for integration with other iLife apps, but managing folders may be a deal breaker for me. I tweak nearly every photo I have and I'm constantly running out of space on my hard drive. With iPhoto's hidden folders, makes managing photos horrendous.
I really, really wish iPhoto would adopt some of Picasa's user-friendly features.

iPhoto follows the mandate of good Digital Asset Management, always keeping a digital negative that is untouched and save for later use. All good DAM applications follow that mandate.
If you're running out of space you can get an external HD to run your full/primary library on and have a second, smaller library on the Macbook. It can contain the more recent or most needed photos. You can also use iPhoto Library Manager to easily switch between the two and copy events and/or albums between the two while keeping keywords, titles and descriptions 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.

Trouble opening iPhoto library saved on ex HD after Yosemite update

Last week I saved my entire iPhoto library onto an external hard drive (Lacie) to create more space on my MacBook Air.
I made sure I was able to open the library safely with the 'option function' through the Lacie before deleting all of the 4k photos from my computer.
Today I updated to the OS X Yosemite. Now when I attempt to open the library saved on the Lacie, it's showing up grey and not allowing me to open.
ANY IDEA HOW I CAN ACCESS ALL OF THESE PHOTOS?
Any recommendations are highly appreciated.
Pictureless Pia

Hi,
I hope this helps you to ... I hat the same problem in Yosemite - iPhoto.
Importing the photo library ... I let it run for more than 24 hours ... but nothing.
I used iPhoto Library Manager to get back all of my photo in iPhoto.
This works for me ... it toke about 10 minutes to get iPhoto App work again.
You can download the iPhoto Library Manager for free and using the trail version.
Good luck ...
Dimaxum

I cannot open several pictures from my old iPhoto library which I saved on an external HDD.

Hi,
I saved my old iPhoto library on an external HDD and successfully opened them in past several times. But now with iPhoto 11 v. 9.2.3 all I can see is a black triangle (image attached) for majority of my pictures and folder from my old iPhoto library on the external drive. Several times I tried rebuilding iPhoto library but that did not help.
I am runnig MAC OS X 10.6.8 with most recent updates.
Thanks in advance for yor help,
I must admit its highly frustrating. Sometime I feel, am I still using the same Apple product or it is something else .
Image:

that indicates a disconnect to the original photos - have you deleted any photos using the finder or run any clean up software?
If no then download iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - and use the rebuild command in the free trial to create a new library leaving the existing one as is
LN

IPhoto library saved to SMB share?

Greetings,
My clients are Lion, running iPhoto 11. They are bound/authenticated to an AD server, while their files are served/stored on another Windows 2008 server (SMB). The drive is formatted as NTFS. So when a user logs in, their desktop folder/files actually reside on the windows share. Can their iPhoto library live on this server? We're getting an error:
'The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsopported'
Please tell me that Apple doesn't ONLY allow these library files to be written to Mac OS Extended drives?
Thanks in advance,
Andy Z

iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, exporting, saving edits and sharing the photos.
See this article
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168
for more. Note also the comment:
“Additionally, storing the iPhoto library on a network rather than locally on your computer can also lead to poor performance or data loss.”

Copying saved photos on dvds into the iphoto library manager

I am trying to copy photos saved in 2011 on dvds into my library manager. I followed the instructions about copying them on my hard drive first. Now that they have been copied on the library manager, can I delete the folder they are in on the hard drive? it seems to me that we are having to take a lot of space duplicating all those photos.

What "library manager" is that? Do you mean iPhoto Library Manager? If so, remember that it's not a place. You can't put anything "into" it. It just shows you the Libraries that you have on your HD.

When i go to attach a photo to email or load it to facebook it will not display any photos from my iphoto library and only allows me load ones that are in photo booth or saved on the desktop. Any ideas?

when i go to attach a photo to email or load it to facebook it will not display any photos from my iphoto library and only allows me load ones that are in photo booth or saved on the desktop. Any ideas what is wrong?

when i go to attach a photo to email or load it to facebook it will not display any photos from my iphoto library and only allows me load ones that are in photo booth or saved on the desktop. Any ideas what is wrong?

HT1229 How do I go about copying my Iphoto library to an EHD without replacing an earlier version that I have previously saved?

I have previously saved a version of my Iphoto library on an external hard drive.
At which point I then deleted lots of photo's from my Mac in order to free up space - leaving only the most recent photo's.
My hard disc is once again nearly full so I want to delete some more photo's from my Mac and once again back up my photo's on the EHD.
How do I save my latest folders in Iphoto on the EHD?
When I save the latest photo's on the EHD I want them to be in the same Iphoto library.
IS there a way to simply copy my current Iphoto library without replacing the original version? (which would obviously mean overwriting this version and loosing lots of photo's)
Sorry if I'm not 100% making sense....hope you can understand me?!
Help?

Create a Folder on the Extertnal, drag the Library to that.
Going forward there are better ways to do this.
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
Now you have two full versions of the Library.
3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
Some Notes:
As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager

Saving iPhoto library

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