Sharing the iPhoto Library

i have read with interest the discussions here regarding the iPhoto Library. I have picked up some good pointers, but none seem to answer my basic dilemma.
I share the MacBook with my wife and we have separate user accounts to keep our stuff separate. But we want to share the iPhoto library. I moved the library in to the Shared folder in the Users folder and I navigated to it with iPhoto in my user account and it works fine. But when we try to access the library from my wife's user account, I can navigate to it, but I cannot open it because it is "greyed out" in the Select Library window. We have set the share photos preference in the iPhoto preferences to allow sharing but it does not seem to work.
Can anyone help?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
The Users folder version of Sharing is deprecated in 10.5.
There are two ways to share, depending on 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.
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. then:
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. 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.
Finally: If you’re comfortable in the Terminal, and understand File Permissions, ACL’s etc., some folks have reported success using the process outlined here . (Note this page refers to 10.4, but it should also work on 10.5). If you’re not comfortable with the terminal, and don’t know an ACL from the ACLU, then you’re best doing something else... Oh, and the warning about simultaneous users still applies.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Does sharing the iPhoto library really work?

Does sharing the iPhoto library really work?

Yes I've used both apps to open the same library and it has worked. There are some things in each library that do not carry over, books for one and I'm not sure about slide shows.
But the basic functionality works in both programs on the same library. Having wrote that I still believe in the advice we always gave out to new users before this recent change, when the library was not readable by both programs.
That advice was to pick one program and use that one exclusively. Before the recent change the reason for this was more obvious but now that the library can be read by both programs why stick to one? One reason is comfort. Both programs while doing basically the same task do it just differently enough that switching between the two will be confusing. And when you are confused you are more likely to make mistakes. And mistakes in this case lead to image loss.
Second Aperture is a fairly complex program and will require some time to learn it and use it well. If you're switching back and forth the time to learn it will be increased and you may never really get everything out of it.
I think the great benefit of this recent change is that one it makes it a lot easier to migrate to Aperture, two if for some reason you decide that Aperture isn;t right for you there is no problem going back to iPhoto (in the past this was not possible without a great deal of effort and even then data would be lost) and three if other people in your household need to access the images in the library occasionally they can use the simpler iPhoto interface to do this.
So my advice is stiil the same as it was before, pick one of the applications, Aperture or iPhoto, and make that your primary tool. In the long run you'll be better off.
regards
PS in regards to the RAM question, 4gb will work but you'll be happier with 8gb
good luck

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

It should be in the Users/ Shared folder.
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. Note the option to check and repair Library Permissions
Regards
TD

The iPhoto library is locked, file sharing

The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it
Hi I have set up a file sharing between two macs. All works apart from opening from my daughters imac a photo library in my iMac. It says message above. What do I have to do? Thanks in advance.

Where is the library located?
To have two Macs share the same iPhoto library it should be placed on an external HD connected to one of the Macs. The EHD should be formatted OS X Extended (journaled). Otherwise you'll run into this problem. Also when accessing and using the library wirelessly it is subject to possible database damage due to potential dropouts.
OT

The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it. iPhoto can try to repair the permissions.

Hi, I have the following message when opening iPhoto:
The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it. iPhoto can try to repair the permissions.
I select repair, enter my password and I get the following:
The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it.
This happened a few weeks ago and I have been fumbelling around trying to fix it. I have no backup servers or shared access. My iPhone and iPad 'used to' pump pictures via iCloud but this has stopped.
I am adminstrator with open & edit rights.
I'm using a MacBook Air rinning OX 10.9 (Software OS X 10.9 (13A603)
PLEASE HELP!

Similar problem but not quiet the same:
Please bear with me as I am very new to this subject.
1: Using a MacBook Air OSX 10.7.5 and it is WiFi connected to a Time Capsule.
2: Overnight I have done a complete back-up. Checked the data files and all correct.
3: I can open the files on the TC except for the iPhoto Library as I want to check visually that they are there. All 2,388.
4: The iPhone Library on the TC will not allow me to look in.
5: the iPhoto Library on the MBA allows me access and I can view etc all the 2,388.
Q1: So why can I not look into the TC's iPhone Library? Or how do I open that library so I can look in?
Q2: how can I export data back from the TC to the MBA if ever I needed to do that?
Thanks for helping out a virgin in these matters.

Any improvements in sharing an iPhoto Library between multiple users?

It is possible and Apple Approved to share an iPhoto Library between multiple users, but the Library must be stored on a drive or disk image that ignores permissions:
http://tech.kateva.org/2008/10/apple-supports-multi-user-iphoto.html
This doesn't work for me. Has Apple changed anything with iLife '09 to make it easier to share a Library? For example, have they changed from the prior Package format?
Message was edited by: jfaughnan

Alternatives to a trip to the Terminal:
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. The problem here is that OS X works very hard to keep your data safe and secure from the other users. You're trying to beat what's built in to the system. So, to beat the system
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. 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.
Lastly: This method seems a little clunky at first, but works very well. Most importantly, it uses the System to do the job for you.
Create a new Account on your Mac, call it Media. Create an iPhoto Library there. (BTW: This will work for iTunes too.)
Enable Sharing on the Library:(Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other accounts. In those accounts, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. The Library will appear in the other source pane.
This means that both users will be able to see the pics. If you want to use a pic then simply drag it from the shared Library to your own in the iPhoto Window. This means that each user can have their own edits.
If you want to add photos to the Library: Log into the Media account for that purpose.
To make it all seamless: Set your Mac to log into the Media Account automatically. Set iPhoto to launch on log-in. Then switch to your own account using Fast User Switching.
Net result: a Library that's permanently available to all users but also protected. Each user can have their own versions of the pics if they want.
No partitioning, no permissions issues. Uses no extra disk space. What's not to like?
Regards
TD

Sharing one iphoto library between multiple user accounts

I hav an extensive photo library and would like to share this across multiple users on the one computer. Am I able to do this without having to move the library to an external hard drive?

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. The problem here is that OS X works very hard to keep your data safe and secure from the other users. You're trying to beat what's built in to the system. So, to beat the system
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. 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.
Lastly: This method seems a little clunky at first, but works very well. Most importantly, it uses the System to do the job for you.
Create a new Account on your Mac, call it Media. Create an iPhoto Library there. (BTW: This will work for iTunes too.)
Enable Sharing on the Library:(Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other accounts. In those accounts, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. The Library will appear in the other source pane.
This means that both users will be able to see the pics. If you want to use a pic then simply drag it from the shared Library to your own in the iPhoto Window. This means that each user can have their own edits.
If you want to add photos to the Library: Log into the Media account for that purpose.
To make it all seamless: Set your Mac to log into the Media Account automatically. Set iPhoto to launch on log-in. Then switch to your own account using Fast User Switching.
Net result: a Library that's permanently available to all users but also protected. Each user can have their own versions of the pics if they want.
No partitioning, no permissions issues. Uses no extra disk space. What's not to like?
Regards
TD

Sharing single iPhoto library between 2 users on a single computer

Hello,
I am currently using iPhoto 5 on a Mac Mini with 2 total users on the computer.
I know that it is easy to share iPhoto pictures over a server with other computers, but does anyone know how to share a single library between 2 users on the same computer?
I would like my wife and I to share a single library of pictures so that we can each upload pics from our digital camera of our family and friends and both have access to them. Currently, we each have to have separate libraries and it is difficult to share photos even between us. If this is not possible on iPhoto 5 or 6, this would be a great upgrade for the next version.
By the way, I was able to work a similar problem out with music out so that all users share a single iTunes library of songs by placing the library in the "shared" folder, but this is not possible with the iPhoto library.
Thanks for your help!
Mac Mini - G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi mconnor,
Here are all the links I have for sharing an iPhoto Library.
I think you would be interested in the ACL link for your situation. Hope it works for you.
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.

Can I copy the iPhoto Library to a different user on the same computer?

I have spent a lot of time organizing my iPhoto library.
My wife also has a user account on the iMac. She would like the iPhoto library I currently have, but (for many reasons) we do not want to share the same library.
Another words, I want to copy my iPhoto library to her side, then both maintain independent libraries.
Can I copy the iPhoto Library icon (in the Pictures folder) on my side to the the shared folder, then delete and replace her iPhoto Library file with mine in her Pictures folder? Or is there something about how the library is set up that will cause problems if I copy my iPhoto Library to her side as well?
Thanks,
-Lee

TD,
Thanks. I deleted her iPhoto Library, and replaced it with mine. I did hold down option and command the first time I opened iPhoto as you suggested. However, it did not ask me anything. It just opened as I might normally expect it to.
The library works perfectly, it is definitely my library that copied over.
Should I be worried that it did not ask me anything (like about rebuilding or repairing library permissions)?
Thanks,
-Lee

Where to store movies ? in the iPhoto Library or the iMovie Library

Hi,
I never had a digital video camera. All my video footage has been shot with my photo cameras. I started with very few clips, never really used iMovie and was most of the time a happy camper with iPhoto. As the photos and the video clips were and are produced on the same device I just followed the most convenient way and imported everything into my iPhoto library.
Switching to the Panasonic FZ18 at the end of 2007 and to the Panasonic FZ28 lead to better "quality" clips and I am now generating much more video footage than I did previously. I did not change the old habit of importing everything into my iPhoto library.
In the middle of the transition to iLife 09 I ask myself if this decision is still the best. So what I need are some arguments pro and con.
Shall I separate my video clips from the iPhoto library and transfer them to the iMovie video library to make them real iMovie events and not only part of the iPhoto section? What would be benefits?
How would this be done? Export the videos from iPhoto delete them in iPhoto and import them into iMovie? We are talking about 6 hours 30 minutes of footage in about 800 clips.
How would the import from the device or the storage card be done in the future?
Thanks in advance
when I started using iLife 08 I imported all my photos and all video clips shot withfootage into iPhto

I think it's a matter of choice, personally I don't see any particular advantage in moving them (with possible exceptions) but there would really be no need to have them in both places.
The exceptions I mention are:
Having video in im instead of ip, frees the video from being stored in your photo library, you would be able to move it to an external drive for example without having to move all of your photo library.
Also being in iphoto, the video is shared with other iphoto users, this isn't the case with im video.

Locating the iPhoto Library exclusively on an external or NAS HDD

I have been successful doing this with iTunes. Is it possible with iPhoto?
The ideal scenario would be locating the iPhoto library on an external NAS on my network which would be accessible via Mac (and yes, PC - sorry - not living in a perfect world, yet).
Thanks in advance and sorry to all if this is the 100th time this question has been asked.

scott
Welcome to the Apple user to user assistance forums
No it is not the 100th time - more like 250th time
1- the iPhoto library must be on a Mac OS extended (journaled) format disk which can not be accessed by a PC
2 - iPhoto has no cross platform capability
3 - iPhoto does not support a multiuser environment so even with multiple Macs sharing a single library you have to be very careful not to cause problems
4 - You can (although there are significant drawbacks) have iPhoto reference the original photos on a NAS but the PC users will not see edits made by iPhoto and iPhoto will not reflect any changes made in the originals by another computer - this is possible but not recommended
5 - iPhoto is a relational database program using an SQL database and it must have total control of the content and structure of its database (as any relational data base must have)
6 - You need a profession DIgital Asset Management program (DAM) to do what you want effectively
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

HT5037 The iPhoto Library Upgrader tool doesn't work. I've downloaded it, and follow the directions, but iPhoto still won't open.

The iPhoto Library Upgrader tool doesn't work. I've downloaded it, and follow the directions, but iPhoto still won't open.

Your Library is damaged.
Option 1
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. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
As for goign back: do you have an undamaged library?
Regards
TD

Photos app in my mac is not able to open the iPhoto library from my external hard disk.

I am using iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) OS 10.10.3. i have 2 iPhoto library one on my Mac HD and the other on my External HD which i primarily use and which has all the latest photos in it. Now with the new update to photos app in Mac i am not able to open the iPhoto library from my external HD. I get the following error message please help.

i am not able to open the iPhoto library from my external HD
How is the external HD formatted? Is the filesystem MAcOS Extended (Journaled) as necessary?
Is theHD directly connected or by a networked connection?
Have you tried to set the "Ignore Ownership on this volume" flag?
See how to prepare the drive for storing an iPhoto Library on it in this document: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users
Which version of iPhoto created the library? If it was iPhoto 7.1.2 or earlier, download and run the iPhoto Library upgrader.
iPhoto '11 or later: About the Library Upgrader - Apple Support

Previews folder in the iPhoto Library

Hi all, Anyone know what the previews folder is for in the iPhoto library (Show package contents) - and also if it's safe to delete? It's 8gb and would give me some breathing space on my SSD.

This is really, really simple: Don't change anything in the iPhoto Library Folder via the Finder or any other application. iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things,, deleting them or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
No you can't delete it. It's used by the app when sharing with other apps. Deleting it will corrupt your Library.
If space is an issue you can run a library from an external disk.
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.
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.
Regards
TD

I keep getting the message"the IPhoto library is locked, on a locked disc, or you do not have permission to make changes to it" This has never happened before but I have recently downloaded Mavericks so am wondering if that is the problem? I have tried t

I keep getting the message"the IPhoto library is locked, on a locked disc or you do not have permission to make a change to it." Prior to downloaading Mavericks OS last week, have neever had a problem with IPhot. What can I do. All the suggestions on the program help had not worked. I cannot find "IPoto Library First Aid" (which was oneof the suggestions)
JoDri

Option 1
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. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

Sharing the iPhoto Library

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