Sharing iPhoto '11 library among users

2 users on our mac, we were usingiPhoto 09 & shared same library without problem. Both could addpictures & save changes. Upgraded to '11 & now only one usercan add photos & save, other user can only see library, can'tsave changes. How do we fix this?

Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Include the option to check and repair Library permissions.
Regards
TD

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Sharing Single iPhoto 09 Library Among Users

I currently have my entire family iPhoto Album on a shared USB drive plugged into my Airport Extreme; my wife and I access the Album from 3 different Macs (2 wireless and 1 wired) around the house. As backup, I have my Linux box rsync the iPhoto Album to 2 disks in Raid every night.
In any case, I was wondering if anybody out there has a setup he or she would like to share; the main goals for me are:
Redundancy (in case or hardware failure)
Speed (viewing and ocassional editing)
Right now accessing the Album over WiFi is slow and somewhat acceptable, yet things are slowing down as my iPhoto Album is reaching the 50GB range.
I was thinking of keeping a local copy of the Album on each Mac and rsync-ing to a master iPhoto Album every time I open and close iPhoto through some sort of Applescript... what do you guys think?

If you use wireless to access the iPhoto Library there is little you can do to speed up the process. Setting the AE to the 5 ghz mode in the "n" mode is the fastest you can get. I don't know if you've experienced it yet or not but accessing the library wirelessly subjects the library to dropouts while accessing the writing to the library's database file. This, in turn, can corrupt the library. For this reason it's strongly recommended you keep a current backup of the library. One way is to use a backup application like Synk Standard which can do incremental backups, i.e. backing up only those files which are new or changed. Run this type of backup after every session in the library where additions and changes have been made. This, along with the hourly Time Machine backups, will put you in a good position.
I was thinking of keeping a local copy of the Album on each Mac and rsync-ing to a master iPhoto Album every time I open and close iPhoto through some sort of Applescript... what do you guys think?
This can't be done because you can't sync the contents of the database files, only the entire file itself. If you want to keep a master library and have individual libraries on each Mac then you could use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to copy newly added photos from each library to the master library.
If you're serious about multiuser managing of your photos I suggest you look into one of the DAM (digital asset management) applications that are multiuser capable. The one I use isMedia Expression. You can find out about other such apps at The DAM Forum.

Use Sparse Bundle Disk Image for sharing library among users?

Apple's knowledge base article HT1198 (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198) on sharing iphoto libraries among multiple users on the same Macintosh describes using a sparse disk image in the /users/Shared/ directory. For a Mac that uses a Time Capsule for Time Machine backups won't this require the entire iPhoto library to be backed up anytime a picture is added or modified?
Would using a sparse bundle disk image instead work better?
Also, HT1198 doesn't say anything about "Partitions" parameter setting in Disk Utility when creating a blank sparse image or sparse bundle disk image. Does it matter what setting is selected if the image is being kept on the Mac internal disk drive?
Is there any difference between iPhoto '08 or iPhoto '09 when attempting sharing the iPhoto library among users?

I believe it may require the entire bundle to be backed up. You'd best ask that question in the Time Machine forum. They would know more about the ins and outs of TM there.
If you can afford an external FW hard drive that would be the best option by far. No worry about filling up the sparse bundle, and you could use the external HD as a work platform to help keep a minimum of 20 GB of free space on your boot drive for optimal performance of system and applications.

Sharing files and library between user accounts

I know this question was asked many times before, but I never read a clear answer. Is it possible to share the library (and files) from one user account to another user account on same computer (same apple ID in iTunes) so that when user 1 downloads music, user 2 will see the music (without any additional steps) when they log into iTunes.
The problem I ran into was user 2 had to manually add the new purchased music to their library in order to see the music. If user 2 was unaware of any purchases, user 2 unaware could potentially repurchase the same music.
My issue is my other users (family members) are not diligent when it comes to checking.
Is there an easy way to sync the two music libraries (or 1 real library) across multiple user accounts on the same PC.

Move the library to the /Users/Shared/ folder, go into each user account, launch iTunes with the Option key held down, and choose that library.
(111791)

Sharing Itunes Music Library among Multiple User Accounts on One Mac

I have 3 user accounts set up on the computer and one itunes account authorized on all 3 user accounts. I have the music library files placed in the shared folders and permissions set up to allow all users to read & write the music. However, only my user account (the main account with admin privileges) is able to access the music unless I log into my user account, run iTunes with sharing enabled, then exit to the login window. Then the other users can access the shared iTunes library. I have preferences setup to use the same library folders.
An earlier version of iTunes used to allow me to do this, and iPhoto still does allow a similar setup with my photo library.
Is there a way to fix this?
Thanks!

I have an iMac at home with 4 users. I've recently struggled with this and thought I had a working solution ...
I created a new iTunes folder off of root. I then logged in as each user and set the path on their Advanced Tab to /iTunes/iTunes Music/ and dragged and dropped their local iTunes Music folders (~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/) into iTunes. This copies files that aren't there but skips anything that might be in two peoples library.
Then iTunes 8.1 came out and now things are broken. I've rebuilt the index by doing an Add to Library but my Podcasts don't download any more. 8-(

How to share iPhoto library among users on same iMac without using an external drive?

How can I share my iPhoto library with another user on the same iMac for use with iCloud. I do not want to use an external drive.
Thanks

For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.

Sharing iPhoto '09 library between Mac OS X user accounts

Hi,
I'm brand new to the Mac world, so forgive the new user question on something that is probably obvious to all.
I've set up my new iMac for both my wife and I to access on two separate accounts. I've loaded our photos from my PC to my iPhoto program on my account. How can I get my wifes account to see the same photos? Do I have to load them on her account also?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Tom

Tom
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Sharing iPhoto '08 Library with iPhoto '06 over network?

Hi Everyone,
I recently got a new iMac with iLife '08 installed. I'm keeping my Powerbook, but cleaning it up since everything will now live on the iMac. However, just as I share my music in iTunes over my network from my iMac to my Powerbook, I also want to do the same with photos, so that I can at least look at them. My Powerbook has iLife '06 and I'm telling it to look for shared libraries, and I'm telling iLife '08 on my iMac to share its library, but I'm not seeing anything in iPhoto on my Powerbook...help?
Thanks!

MacCourt:
You should be able to share those libraries. iPhoto on both computers must be running and have their preferences set to share and look for libraries. The shared library will be displayed in the left hand pane under the Events and Photos icons.
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.

Sharing iPhoto 11 library

I have a MacBook Pro running 10.6.4 and a G4 tower running the most up-to-date version of 10.5. Both have iPhoto 08 on them. The libraries are not identical, however; the G4 library is just a subset of the MBP one.
If I upgrade iPhoto to '11 on the MBP, will the G4 tower with '08 be able to access or import the photos? Will I be able to export iPhoto 11 pix to iPhoto '08? I'd like to know before I upgrade the MBP library.
Thanks.

Thanks for the word.
Of course, I'm going to update anyway. I (or someone smarter than I, perhaps) will just have to figure out a workaround. I've backed up everything and double-backed up everything not in the "Modified" or "Originals" folders.

Sharing iPhoto Library from HD on iMac with SSD/HD

I'm looking for guidance on how to share the iPhoto library among users on a single iMac from the HD drive, as opposed to the SSD. The shared folder appears to only extend to the SSD and I'd prefer to set up the machine so photo content resides on the HD. I'm also still exploring the possibilities of restricting some user's levels of access. I've seem helpful threads suggesting setting up a media account access and allowing other users "read" access only, which appeals to me, but I guess I need to verify that will work if the library resides on the HD drive. If I need to allow all users full access rights, so be it. I'm running the latest version of Mountain Lion and iPhoto (and also using the latest version of Aperture on the iPhoto library and all photos are maintained in the library (no reference photos yet, though I suppose I'd prefer not to foreclose that possibility). Thanks in advance.

Put the Library on the HD. In your set up the HD will perform just like an external. So:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the HD.
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 SSD to free up space.
Now you can share it as you wish. For Read Only access:
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.

Newly imported photos in shared iPhoto library have wrong permissions

I have recently encountered some problems with a shared iPhoto '09 library. When I initially shared it by placing it in users/shared iPhoto prompted to fix the permissions and everything was hunky dory. However, it seems that any newly imported photos do not have their permissions set properly so that the other user of the library on my computer can't do useful things like edit or email the newly imported photos.
Looking inside the library reveals that the permissions on newly imported photos are set to read write for me as the owner and no access for 'everyone'. If I hold down cmd-opt and repair permissions it is all fine - until I import some new photos and then the permissions are wrong for those.
I noted this effect on a pristine iPhoto library that I created to test this as well as my venerable iPhoto library.
Is there something I can do to change this behaviour so newly imported photos get the correct permissions set and the shared user of this library (my wife) is able to edit and email photos I import (and, presumably, vice versa)?

I have made changes to permissions to my old library a number of times. Originally this was to enable sharing in earlier versions of iPhoto and it worked fine. For example I've added a group that consists of myself and my wife and given it read and write permissions and applied that to all enclosed items. I've also had iPhoto repair the permissions as per the startup options.
Notwithstanding this, I created a new library in my pictures folder; moved it to the shared folder; switched accounts and allowed iPhoto to repair permissions; switched back and then imported new photos. While most files and folders inside the package are OK (including any modified files and the enclosing originals/year/event folder) the actual original photo files themselves have the permissions problem. This seems to prevent emailing or editing by the other account.

Sharing iPhoto library among multiple users on one machine

Take mercy on a newcomer to the Mac ...
Having recently acquired an iMac I'm now trying to set up iPhoto 8 so that the same picture library is accessible from the three user accounts I created on the machine, for the three members of the household.
I've seen some postings on this issue, which suggest rather convoluted solutions, such as using an external hard disk. I don't want to buy an external disc for this purpose; I just want to figure out a way to put my pictures in one place, and one place only, where I can organise and change them from my user, and where the other two users have at least read access.
I have tried putting my pics in the shared folder, and redirected iPhoto there from my user, which worked fine. But then from the other users I get error messages that they don't have the required priviliges.
Grateful for any advice!

RutgetW
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Easy: there's no need to move the library at all.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
Regards
TD

Sharing iphoto library on the same computer between different users

Can anyone tell me how (without having to write my own code) I can share photos easily (so I can teach my parents, who know nothing about mac, how to do it) between different users on the SAME COMPUTER?
I am so frustrated! You can share with anyone else in the world, but when it is on the same computer I can't figure out how to share!

Hi Mereditty,
Here are all the links I have for sharing a couple of different ways.
SHARING IPHOTO LIBRARIES
Sharing libraries between users on the same local network
You can also share a library on the same machine between users the same way.
Sharing libraries between users on the same machine...
-both users must have sharing enabled in their iPhoto Preferences
-both users must be logged in and have iPhoto running
-Remember that you can only view the other library. You can't edit the photos or play the saved slideshows or view the made books or burn them to CD or DVD. The books and slideshows will show up as an album. You can play that album as an "on the fly" slideshow. You can drag images from the sharing library to your library in the source column to import them to your library. You can then edit, add to albums, books, slideshow, etc.
Sharing links from Apple....
Sharing your photos between computers
About shared photos
Turning off photo sharing
Looking for shared photos
SHARING ONE IPHOTO LIBRARY BETWEEN USERS ON SAME MACHINE
You can try one of these three methods:
1- Use iPhoto Library Manager-the paid version
The documentation page will give instructions on how it is done.
2- Sharing one iPhoto library between several users on one machine
3- Share an iPhoto Library in tiger Using ACL's
4- I have also read about ShareAlike
There is no other info on the site about how it works.
I strongly urge anyone wanting to try any of the methods for sharing one iPhoto Library folder among more than one user to backup all iPhoto Library folders before attemptin anything.
Lori

Help with Sharing iPhoto 9.5.1 library between users on same computer

Hi,
I have upgraded operating systems to Maverick on my macbookpro which also upgraded iphoto to 9.5.1. Previously in IPhoto I could choose to share the library in each of three user accounts. The third account was used only for gathering photos to make books, calendars etc. There does not appear to be a way to do this now. How do I share libraries on the same computer without creating a library on a separate device?
So frustrating....I was right in the middle of creating a book.
Thanks for any help.

That particular feature has been discontinued with iPhoto 9.5.1. However, you can use iCloud to share photos via Shared Photo Streams. Each user account will need their own iCloud account and each user can create Shared Photo Streams to be shared with the other accounts. The photos in the SFSs can be downloaded by any account with access to the stream.
Anbother option would be to create a Dropbox account and when the 2 accouts come across photos to be used in a project they can export the original file to the Dropbox in the account so they can be downloaded into the 3rd account and imported into the project library.
If you have an external HD you could put the project library on it and access it from each of the other 2 accounts. Project photos could be added to that library directly by the other 2 accounts by exporting to the desktop and importing into the projects library with an easy library switch. Or one can use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to copy selected albums between libraries.
OT

Sharing iphoto library with different users

I have a new imac, set up different users for myself and my wife. We have been uploading our photos to iphoto on my account and evertime she would like to access them she has to log out and into my account.
Any way to share the library between users?

There is a bug in iPhoto 11 that prevents two users having the app opened at the same time, so Sharing using the preferences method is pretty much pointless until that's fixed.
That said:
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Sharing iPhoto '11 library among users

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