Setting up iPhoto with external hard drive

Question

I just picked up a WD passport hard drive to try and free up some space on my macbook. I've found the following relevant discussion of how to change the default library and similar:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5528634&#5528634
I also found this which is what I did (move all photos from the originals folder in the library, delete them from the macbook, then import back into iPhoto after deselecting the copy files selection in iPhoto preferences):
http://photography.consumerelectronicsnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=60090
I still seem to have a lot of files in the macbook iPhoto library folder that are of significant size (maybe in the modified folder).
Here's my question - what is the best way to take advantage of this external hard drive (and why if you prefer one way to another)? Why do I still have so much space taken up from the iPhoto library if the files are not being copied?
Along those lines, I'm also wondering if I can use this hard drive for my pc, too, or will trying to use it between the two screw things up for either of the systems or worse yet, the files on the external hd?
Thanks much in advance! (I'd also love your tips on getting rid of any memory hog files I probably don't need / use. photos are really my only large files)
Message was edited by: Audrey Schaab

Answer 1

Audrey
I'm afraid the article you refer to is rather full of hooey:
It is very easy to keep your files on an external drive or folder and still have them accessible from iPhoto. We can do this by making a change to the way iPhoto imports photos.
No we don't. Not at all that utterly changes the way iPhoto operates and creates a lot more work for you.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
Much better to simply move the iPhoto Library Folder:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library Folder as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. 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.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Now iPhoto works the same as it ever did, just your files are on the external.
And yes, no matter where you store your Original files, the app keeps the modidied and thumbnail versions in the iPhoto Library Folder.
Regards
TD