Sharing iPhoto Library with Different Users on Same Mac

Surely what I'm trying to do is not that unusual!!?? I'm a new Apple User coming from the 'dark' PC side and was hoping Apple would be better.
Our family has a single Mac running Mavericks. My wife, children and I have our own logins but we'd like to use iPhoto to store our photos and share the same library. Has to be common......right?
I'm told if we try to share a photo library on the Mac it will cause problems and therefore two choices are:
1. Move the iPhoto library to an external drive or
2. Move the iPhoto library to a disk image.
I'm not sure about this disk image option but luckily(I thought) have both a 2TB Time Capsule and 3 TB WD MyBook Live Drive. I don't really use the MyBook Live and simply use 'Time Machine' to backup the Mac to the Time Capsule.
I thought the easiest way to resolve the iPhoto library problem was simply to put the library on the MyBook Live drive and then I thought I could simply get 'Time Machine' to backup the MyBook Live drive as well as the Mac. From what I can see, 'Time Machine' won't backup external drives.
Given my configuration and hardware can someone PLEASE suggest a good option. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible. :-)
Surely if Apple would simply allow the iPhoto library to be shared but only accessed by one User at a time it would make it dead simple.
Your earliest possible reply would be appreciated.
Thank you!!

Is that MyBook Live a NAS?
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.”

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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

How to share administrator iPhoto library with other users on same iMac?

How to share administrator iPhoto library with other users on same iMac?

This is the part I'm referring to:
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.
The library stays in the Pictures folder for this.

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I am having a hard time figuring out how to share the I-tunes library amongst different users on the same computer. I purchase the songs on one userid but my kids each have a separate login and would like to be able to listen to songs with whomever is logged in. I'm sure this is easy - I just can't figure it out today

See if this helps: iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

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My husband and I both have separate itunes accounts on the same PC and log on to Windows 7 as different users (I am the administrator).
How can we share our itunes libraries with each other? Home sharing only seems to work for more than 2 PCs!
Also, how do we switch between users and both be able to open itunes at the same time without one user having to log off?

I am afraid two users cannot have iTunes open at the same time.
As you say home sharing is designed to work between PCs on the same network, it does not work across accounts on one PC.
The way I share music is to have a single iTunes Music folder in the shared music folder.
Then you have the option of having a single library database in shared music which both accounts access or separate library databases in you own accounts accessing the same pool of music files but keeping counts, ratings and playlists separate.

Sharing Itunes Library with multiple users on same computer

Several people in my house share the same laptop and we all have our own user id. I am the administrator. How do I set up itunes so that all of the music, the entire library, is accessible to all user id's when each person is logged in? I thought I had it figured out but whenever I download new music the others don't see it, only what was already there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Give this ago, This is what I am trying at the moment and is a bit experimental, I haven't Tested it yet with iPhone/iPad/iPods sync yet. (will do this soon and will report back)
1. BACK UP!!! (just in case) Copy your itunes folder normally found under (user - "username" - Music folder) to a usb drive or just copy it into the music folder. (in fact do a full system back up I'm guessing you haven't done it in a while)
2. Create the new user account if not already done so. (I am setting up my other users as a new users with no existing iTunes content.)
3. Move the itunes folder under (user - "username" - Music folder) into (user - shared)
4. Change the read/write access to the (user - shared - iTunes folder) Right click on the folder - +Get Info+ - Under Permissions allow all the users Read & Write, Click the cog and select apply to enclosed items.
5. Make an alias of the "iTunes folder" and move it back to your original itunes folder location +(user - "username" - Music folder)+
6. Remove alias from the name.
7. Start itunes check to make sure every thing is ok, play a few tracks.
Under iTunes preferences - Advance
make sure the itunes media folder location is (user - "shared" - iTunes - iTunes Media)
I also have Keep iTune media folder organized checked
& Copy files to iTunes Media folder checked. (When music, vids, or update Apps for my iPhone/iPod, it should now show up in the other user's account)
8. Close out of itunes User done.
9. Log into user 2's and go to (user - shared) folder Check to make sure this user has read & write permissions. Make an alias of the "iTunes folder" and move it to user 2's music folder +(user - "username" - Music folder)+
10. Start itunes check to make sure every thing is ok, play a few tracks.
Under iTunes preferences - Advance
make sure the itunes media folder location is (user - "shared" - iTunes - iTunes Media)
Make sure Keep iTune media folder organized & Copy files to iTunes Media folder are checked.
Log this user into the iTunes store if need (it shouldn't effect the the other users)
11. YOUR DONE, Unless you have more users, then just repeat steps 8, 9 ,10 (and 11 if needed)
Just note that only 1 user can access the Shared iTunes account at a time so close iTunes if you not using it.
Each user should be running off the same iTunes library now. Once you are happy with the set up and nothing has happened to your music then delete the back ups in step 1.
Hope this helps, Let me know how you get on?
I will let you know how I get on with 2 iPhones and 2 iTunes store accounts under each User syncing.
AND I cant see why this shouldn't work for iPhoto.
Message was edited by: Gmor

ITunes Library between different users on Same Mac

Hi,
If I create multiple users, say one for me and one for my wife and probably another for a guest, How do I share the music library among all the users? I am a new Mac user and would appreciate your help.
Thank you
Dinesh

iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer describes two methods.
Each method has it's (dis)advantages.
Fast user switching enables listening to each others music, but iTunes of the acount you're listening to, has to be active.
By using this method, you can't mess up each others library.
Putting the music in a shared folder (second method) gives each user full access. If one user adds or deletes files, the others have to do the same.
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M
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Sharing iphoto library with all accounts

hi, i've only had my intel imac for a month or two and i love it. the iphoto application is especially fun and useful for a family like us with lots of pictures, but there is one problem i'm having: there are 2 admin accounts on this mac, one for me and one for my dad. i'm the only person who has time to use iphoto and all of our pictures and slideshows are on my account. so if my dad wants to see the pictures or slideshows, he can't from his own account. is there a way to make this a sort of joint-application or perhaps another solution?

asli:
There are several ways to share a library with all users on the Mac. However there is one way which I use that lets each user have their own unique library of the same source files but are able to make their own edits, slideshow, etc. that are unique to their account and library.
This method involves you placing each new batch of photos in a new folder, aptly titled (I use the date of the shoot and a brief description like "01/18/05-Europe Trip") and place in a folder in the Shared folder on your Mac. Then each user creates a new library using iPhoto 6's alias mode (See the Advanced preference section of iPhoto's preferences). That way each library only imports alias files for each photo and not a full sized version. Then when a user edits a photos the edited version is saved in that library and the source files are not touched.
A couple of caveats are you must always place new photos in their own folder in the Shared folder. Each user can then move their version to new rolls or whatever. That's needed so each user can tell which ones are new. The other caveat is that if a user deletes a photo from their library it is only deleted from that library. Again the source files are untouched. The only way to delete a source file is thru the Finder.
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How do I share one Iphoto library with other User accounts on the same iMac

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Hi MikaelK,
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.

Sharing Itunes Library with several users on the same computer

Hi,
I'm trying to share the iTunes library on a SP2 system. I placed the Itunes folder on a partition and setted iTunes to use this folder in each user account but...
When one add musics to the library, thoses musics are not visible once switched to another user account.
How to really share the same library with several user accounts one the same machine ?
Thanks

Note that Otto42's post is from March 2006. This is way before iTunes 7, which allows you to move the iTunes folder.
His steps will work but are much too involved and unneeded.
Rather than using TweakUI (and possibly messing up something), just move the entire iTunes folder to a shared directory and hold Shift when starting iTunes, then select Choose library and go to the iTunes folder.
All changes made by any user will be to all users.
Note that only one user at a time will be able to access iTunes.

Sharing itunes library with all users on the same computer

I am trying to share the itunes library with 4 users on the same computer. Please tell me how.

I've been trying to find a way to do this easily as well. It would be good if you could set iTunes to use the "All User" documents folder instead of the My Documents folder for the storing the main library and just use the My Documents Folder for individual playlists.
Follow the instructions in the link provided by Mimico Kid.
** It is not important that the shared folder is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music. It can be any shared folder on the PC. On mine it's H:\iTunes as I don't have the space on the C: drive.
When you've done that make sure that your Adminstrator account's copy of iTunes shows the Library, Playlists and Album art as you want the all the users to see them.
Then copy all of the remaining files from the Administrator Accounts iTunes folder into every other users iTunes folder.
** C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Documents\My Music\iTunes
If any user adds songs or modifies playlists the administrator will need to log on and copy the files from that users iTunes folder to everyone elses.
This might be a slightly cumbersome way around the problem but it works for me. It has the disadvantage or advantage whichever way you look at it that every User will see an identical view with identical playlists.

Sharing iPhoto Library with PCs on Same Network?

Hi,
I work in a rug showroom, and I love how easy it is to organize photos of our inventory in iPhoto. Most of our photos are high-res, so the built-in e-mail function is extremely useful. However, I'm the sole Mac in a showroom full of PCs, and I'm getting sick of having to do all of the e-mailing for everyone in the showroom. So, my questions are:
1. Is there a simple way to share my iPhoto library with the PCs on our network?
2. Is there an application for PC that is like (or just is) iPhoto that will allow me to share with a PC?
3. Is there a better solution? (Unfortunately, we're not getting any new computers...)
Thanks in advance for your help!

lahmadin
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
1. Is there a simple way to share my iPhoto library with the PCs on our network?
No, iPhoto has no such capability. You could try share the images from the iPhoto Library Folder but that could easily lead to your library being corrupted. I would not recommend it.
2. Is there an application for PC that is like (or just is) iPhoto that will allow me to share with a PC?
Google's Picasa is frequently mentioned a similar to iPhoto, but it doesn't have a Mac version.
3. Is there a better solution? (Unfortunately, we're not getting any new computers...)
What's your budget? Check out apps like iView or Extensis Portfolio
Regards
TD

Sharing iPhoto Library with Different Users on Same Mac

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