Sync'ing multiple iPhoto libraries

I have multiple Mac in the home and would like to have one Mac act as the master iPhoto library and Sync with the other Mac libraries. My primary objective is more one-way (i.e., from either my wife's or kids' Mac to the Master), but i could see a desire to go the other way as well.
I've read online about rsync, cron and scripting, which all seems a bit old fashioned at this time.
What is the best way to do this?

My primary objective is more one-way (i.e., from either my wife's or kids' Mac to the Master), but i could see a desire to go the other way as well.
What do you mean by "Sync".
The general term means when two Libraries (A and B) are compared and files in Library A are copied to Library B, while files in Library B are also copied to Library A so that both Libraries are identical.
This is bi-directional copying and you cannot do this with automatically with iPhoto. No Syncing software is capable of parsing the iPhoto Library in this manner. One or both of your Libraries will be damaged if you try this.
You can have uni-directional copying - files in Library A are copied to Library B - this is essentially backing up. Obviously you can also copy from Library B to Library A.
The nearest you can get to syncing is to use iPhoto Library Manager to move files/Albums/Events plus associated metadata between Libraries. This process cannot be automated.
Regards
TD

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Sync to Multiple iPhoto Libraries on iMac

I have mutliple iPhoto libraries in iPhoto '11 on my iMac that are segregated by photos/videos by year. I want to sync all the libraries to my iPad iPhoto. How will these appear on the iPad? As just more events in date order? I don't want to try it until I have an idea of what to expect and how to undo the sync if needed. If I end up with dozens of events from many years of photos just added to the one display window it may be too cumbersome to deal with. I was hoping the sync would give me a way to select by "library" grouping similar to Events.

After a little more research, I found that iPhoto Library Manager (http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ ) which I have on my iMac has a function called iPod Folders (inspite of the name "iPod," they say it works on iPads and iPhones). You can copy multiple libraries into it and then sync an iPad to it. This effectively results in your libraries being merged into one which an iPad can Sync to. In addition you can set the iPod folder so that it gets updated when you add/delete photos in any of your libraries. The iPod folder is a copy of the photos so it effectively doubles your disk usage. I assume that since it has merged the libraries you choose, the events would appear in the iPad Photos window all together in date or other user selectable order, not segregated per the iPhoto Librarries before copying to the iPod folder. This is not yet what I was looking for but better than nothing. I haven't tried it yet because of the large number of events that would result, but I will.

Is it possible to sync multiple iphoto libraries with the iPhone?

I have two libraries in iPhoto 08 but iTunes only lets me pick the default iPhoto library to sync with my iPhone. Is there a way to sync the iPhone with multiple iPhoto libraries?

You are correct. This used to work in the past although admittedly I haven't tried it for some time as it was of no direct use for my purposes.
If the goal is to see another MobileMe account's calendar(s) on your iOS device then an alternative would be to share the calendar(s) in question to yourself.
Example:
Assume you currently have MobileMe user account A on your iPhone.
Login to MM user account B with me.com which has the calendar you wish to have access to on your iPhone
Click on Calendars
Click on the Share button for the calendar you wish to see added to your iPhone.
Type in the MobileMe email address for MM user account A and set it for read & write access
Login to MM user account A on me.com
Go to calendars and accept the invitation to join the calendar you sent from MM account B
Go your iPhone (you may need to turn it on and off to make the calendars refresh ) and check your calendars, you should now have the other calendars added to your MobileMe account A's calendar
Note: You can repeat step # 3 for each of the calendars you wish to see on your iPhone.

Uploading multiple iPhoto libraries to new iCloud Photos

I've used iPhoto for 10 years, and have multiple iPhoto libraries in order to manage the size and performance within iPhoto.
I'd love to try out the new beta of Photos, and keep everything in the cloud - but I'm unsure if I'll be able to upload all of the libraries to iCloud. Currently, iCloud / photo stream will only sync and work with one library. I also read somewhere that once you make the switch, you cannot access iPhoto again.
I'm just wanting some assurances that I can get all 4-5 photo libaries uploaded with no issues. Thanks.

I also read somewhere that once you make the switch, you cannot access iPhoto again.
This, as of the current betas, is not true.
However, Photos will only work with one Library in the Cloud. So if you want to upload them all then you'll need to merge them into one first.
If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager
Remember this is beta software. It may change so be sure to have a solid up-to-date back up.

Multiple iPhoto Libraries to iPad

Has anyone found a way of syncing multiple iPhoto Libraries to an iPad yet? If not, does anyone have the ear of an App developer who can basically replicate the iPad's Photos App but with this additional functionality?

I guess you'll need to wait and make due with what's available.
Also, let Apple know what you'd like to see added at:
http://www.apple.com/feedback

Multiple iPhoto libraries & on MobileMe Gallery on iPad

I have multiple iPhoto libraries on my Mac (multiple work related project libraries & personal library). I'd like to be able to view them on an iPad. Is that going to be possible? If not, I'm hoping that MobileMe galleries will sync to the iPad. Does anyone know if either of these options is possible?

I upgraded to Lion OS and suffered multiple crashes necessitating a complete rebuild of the system - reformat the main hard drive and install Lion OS from a disk In an effort to be absolutely sure I didn't lose data I have been overenthusiastic in transferring photos to the backup disk dragging and dropping files that contained images as well as a full transfer of "mymac" before reformating. Time machine backup was not realistic as this was the one operation which caused most of the "hangs" System now appears to be working well with Lion OS but I have masses of duplicate jpeg files in multiple folders and libraries - I am considering purchasing Duplicate Annihilator to deal with the duplicates then perhaps I should try to merge the libraries with iPhoto manager?

How to import photos from multiple iphoto libraries to iPad

How do I import photos from multiple iPhoto libraries from my iMac to the new iPad? I have 4 different iPhoto Libraries on my iMac.
I can import photos from iPhoto library 1, to the iPad, but when I import photos from iPhoto Library 2, created on my iMac to the iPad,
it deletes the original photos that I imported from the first iPhoto Library and replaces them with the import from library 2.
I only want to import selected photos from each library to my iPad. Can someone plese help me?

As Ralph has suggested, if you want to sync photos from your computer, you must include all photos that you want to sync - with each and every sync. You cannot import photos from another Main photo folder on the computer. You must create an all-in-one photo library in iPhoto and sync from that folder. You can select one level of sub folders from within that main folder, but all of those folders must be included in the main folder - in your case it is in iPhoto. That is just how the sync process works with Photos.
I don't know how using third party apps affects the photos that you have already synced from iPhoto, but take a look at these apps in this Google search. Maybe Wifi transfer is the way to go for you.
http://www.google.com/search?q=wifi%20photo%20transfer%20computer%20to%20iPad

How do i set up a slideshow with pictures from multiple iphoto libraries?

How do i set up a slideshow with pictures from multiple iphoto libraries? One library is in my Macbook Harddrive, the other 2 libraries are in an external harddrive. Thank you!!

You can't, simply. An iPhoto Slideshow can only draw from a single library, so you'll need to get all the images into one.
Alternatives to iPhoto's slideshow include:
iMovie is on every Mac sold.
Others, in order of price:
PhotoToMovie $49.95
PulpMotion $129
FotoMagico $99
Final Cut Pro X $299
It's difficult to compare these apps. They have differences in capability - some are driven off templates. some aren't. Some have a wider variety of transitions. Others will have excellent audio controls. It's worth checking them out to see what meets your needs. However, there is no doubt that Final Cut Pro X is the most capable app of them all. You get what you pay for.

Can I merge multiple iPhoto libraries in the new Photo's app. This was not possible in iPhoto but is possible in Aperture.

Now that iPhoto is 'Photos' on 10.10.3 is it possible to merge multiple iPhoto libraries. It is possible to this this in Aperture but not in iPhoto (I'm using 10.10.2 and can't upgrade until other software I use is qualified for 10.10.3). Here's the deal - I changed my drive to an SSD and backed up my old hard drive (which had the original iPhoto library on it. I did a clean install with my new drive so iPhoto created a new (blank) library. This upgrade was done a few months ago so now I have 2 different iPhoto libraries. Note that the newer library is connected to iCloud and if I was to 'Switch Libraries' it will delete my current photo stream. There is a way to do this manually - I could switch to the old library and locate the root folders in the 'newer library', move them to a new folder and import. This procedure is awkward and not my preferred route. So if there's anyone using the new 'Photos' app on 10.10.3 please let me know thanks!

To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

HT201340 How do I merge multiple iphoto libraries

I have multiple iphoto libraries on an external HD. Not much memory left on my mac HD. So I'm trying to clear up some memory. I would like to merge/organize the iPhoto libraries on the external HD. But I can't figure out how to separate the photos. I just want to organize them into seperate years, i.e., photos 2009, 2010, 2011, etc.
And since I now have aperture, how can I get these photos organized into simple annual libraries onto the external HD?
Sorry if this has been posted a million times, but I can't figure it out and don't want to lose any photos.

Sorry if this has been posted a million times, but I can't figure it out and don't want to lose any photos.
Reorganizing your photolibraries can be error-prone, so before you start, I'd recommend to check your backups of the libraries, if they are current and working.
I just want to organize them into seperate years, i.e., photos 2009, 2010, 2011, etc.
And since I now have aperture, how can I get these photos organized into simple annual libraries onto the external HD?
iPhoto does not support to export partial libraries or to import and merge photo libraries, but Aperture does.
Your question does link to the document "Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries" that describes how you can merge libraries.
Do you have compatible Aperture and iPhoto versions? Aperture 3.4.5 and iPhoto 9.4.3? If yes, then you can unify your photo libraries by creating a new Aperture library on your external drive and using the command "File > Import > Library" to import your iPhoto libraies one by one into the the Aperture library.
Aperture works well with large libraries. You could keep all images in that one library and be done.
But if you really want separate, small libraries for each year, define smart albums in Aperture:
New > Smart album
and in the "Smart Settings" HUD for the album press "Add Rule" and add a "Date" rule. Set this rule to "Capture Year is ....".
This way you will have all images grouped by date in the library Inspector.
You could then proceed to export partial Aperture libraries for each year: Select the smart album and use the command "File > Export > Album as library". This will create a new Aperture library, just for that year. You can open this library in iPhoto, if you want.
I myself prefer to have all my photos in just one library; that makes it much easier to search all my photos at once and to combine them freely.
Regards
Léonie

I have multiple iPhoto libraries w/ duplicates in several. How can I consolidate and find the dupes? Some photos are versions of the original.

I have multiple iPhoto libraries w/ duplicates in several. How can I consolidate and find the dupes? Some photos are versions of the original. On my iMac, I also have many folders containing some of the same photos. My computer is used for both personal and business purposes. My libraries should be separated, one for each.

To merge libraries use iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - or Aperature
To find duplicates within an iPhoto library use iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -
Photos that are not in an iPhoto library can be imported telling iPhoto not to import duplicates (an imperfect procews) and then IPLM can find the duplicates
As to keeping seperate libraries - only you can do that - IPLM can move photos between libraries for you but only you can know which photos should be in which library
LN

ATV2 - Accessing Multiple iPhoto Libraries

I store multiple iPhoto Libraries on a ReadyNas Duo and manage the collection via iPhoto Library Manager.
I have Home Sharing configured and would like to view all libraries on ATV2. Using iTunes to configure, I'm not given the option to select multiple iPhoto libraries when adding an 'iPhoto' library nor am I given the option to select multiple iPhoto libraries when trying to add via the 'folder' option
Any advice on configuring for multiple libraries or is this an unfortunate limitation?
Thanks

Yes, create a new account for the other user and they will have their own set of Home folders, Documents, Library, Movies, Music, etc. They will be denied access any of your data.
-mj
[email protected]

Seeing multiple iPhoto libraries when I click on the iPhoto icon in the dock?

I can't figure out why I am seeing multiple iPhoto libraries when I click on the iPhoto icon in my dock. I am running Lion on an early 2008 MacBook Pro (4 GB RAM), and when I click and hold on the iPhoto icon in the dock, it brings up a dialog box. From top to bottom, this is what I see:
iPhoto Library
iPhoto LIbrary
iPhoto Library
Options
Show Recents
Open
I can't figure out why it shows three iPhoto libraries when I only have one on my computer. I've tried deleting the icon from the dock and then putting it back in the dock, but it still shows three libraries for some reason. If I search for iPhoto in spotlight search or in finder, it only shows one iPhoto (in the applications folder). Any help on how to resolve this weird issue would be much appreciated!

I have the same issue. I see four iPhoto libraries when I right click on the iPhoto icon in the dock, but I only actually have two libraries. The other two simply do not exist on my computer. And when I click on the libraries that do not exist, obviously nothing happens. In the image, only the bottom two libraries are actual photo libraries. The top two do not exist.
I have relaunched Finder, restarted the computer, and even restored the entire computer from my Time Machine backup. Nothing changes. No matter what I try, the non existent iPhoto libraries continue to be present when I right click the iPhoto icon in the dock. BTW, there are only two iPhoto libraries in the pictures folder.
This is very frustrating and annoying.

IPhoto MESS: Multiple iphoto libraries duplicate photos

Sorry folks - this is one of those "big data" messes. I know there's a problem - just looking for a solution.
I have multiple iPhoto Libraries (unintentional) due to an old iMac which had died. There are three libraries:
Default(rebuilt) 121.41GB (current)
iPhoto Library 70GB (9 months ago)
iPhoto Starage Image.sparseimage 60.98GB (9 months ago)
It seems I'm using the first one above Default(rebuilt). That's item one.
The next deal is that I have LOADs of duplicates on the hard disk. In iPhoto I'll find an image and it's a 20kb file (low res) and really would like to have the high res file. Once I search for it - I find like three or more copies of the photo with some at 20kb and some at full res. Unfortunately iPhoto does not point to the high res files.
There are all sorts of consolidation and de-dup apps out there (iPhoto Duplicate Annihilator, Tidy Up..), but I'm not sure about this big mess. Probably take days to correct.
Is there a way to ensure that I have:
Highest Resolution of Each Photo
One Version of the Photo (No Duplicates)
One Library
Anyone help me out here?
Also seeking a better way to manage large numbers of files (iPhoto, Aperature, Lightroom, Picasa) - thinking the last two might actually be easier to mangage the issues I'm having...
THANKS!!
iMac 27 (3.4Ghz Core i7, 4GB)
Mac OS X - 10.7.5
iPhoto '11 - 9.2.3 (629.52)

As I understand it iPhoto manages all the photos in one large file within the iPhoto library. This makes it very cumbersome to load and extremeIy slow to work with as the number of photos stored in the library file increases.
It doesn't. It stores the files in folders in the Finder. Speed issues are more a function of disk space and Ram.
Assuming one can get the files all sorted out, there is at least one software application that I am aware of that uses an indexing system to manage subgroups of photos you define and by referencing the larger iPhoto library. It is called IPhoto Buddy
iPhoto Buddy is a pointless app that simply allows you to choose between iPhoto Libraries. You can do exactly the same simply by holding the option (or alt) key when launching iPhoto. It indexes nothing and hasn't been developed for several years now. From their own website:
iPhoto Buddy is fully compatible with every version of Apple's iLife suite, from iLife '04 through iLife '09.
Regards
TD

Multiple iPhoto libraries to manage photostreams in different ways

My wife and I both have iPhone's. I have a 5s and she a 5. We share an iCloud account so that all photos she takes and ones I take go into one photostream and then automatically get loaded on my iMac hard drive. This way we are sure to not lose any photos.
This works great for that purpose. However, I would like to create an iPhoto library that will only upload photos taken with my iPhone.
I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Is there a way to do this?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may offer.
Keith

I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Keith, the problem is, that only one iPhoto ibrary can be associated with the photo stream on any device, see e.g. http://documentation.apple.com/en/aperture/usermanual/index.html#chapter=14%26se ction=2%26tasks=true
Photo Stream is designed to work with one Aperture or iPhoto library at a time. However, it’s easy to switch the library Photo Stream uses to upload and download photos.
If you enable the photo stream in a different library, the photo stream will be removed from the earlier library. You would continually have to reanable the photo straem when switching between libraries, and each time the stream would be reset. This way, auto matic import will not work reliably, because the photo stream would only be seeing the current ly stored photos in iCloud.
Have you considered to use the Shared Photo Streams for specific purposes? I am using the Shared Photo Streams as thematic iCloud albums, for wildlife photos, family photos, etc.
iCloud: Using and troubleshooting Shared Photo Streams
-- Léonie

Sync'ing multiple iPhoto libraries

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