Understanding iPhoto 08 Architecture

Question

Recently I moved all my picture files and folders (.jpg, .bmp, .avi, etc) off my windows computer to a new external HDD that was single partitioned with MAC OSX (Journaled).
I then created a new iPhoto Library on that external HDD and dragged my photos from each folder into iPhoto. I went into the "Advanced" tab under Preferences and made sure to uncheck the box that would have copied the files, as I want to conserve disk space as much as possible ( I thought this option, if I had left it checked, would have created a duplicate file of the same image and put it in the iPhoto Library...am I right?).
I also thought that by unchecking this option I would be creating a "pointer" in iPhoto between where the file actually was and where I saw it in iPhoto. I thought if I wanted to delete the actual picture file I would have to open Finder and manually delete that file. I thought if I did that first before deleting it in iPhoto 08 I would get some sort of an error msg. in iPhoto, since the pointer wouldn't be able to find the picture file because I had removed it. Vise-Versa, if I removed the picture in iPhoto 08 first I thought I would also have to go into Finder and manually remove the picture if I didn't want it.
While the later seems to be true, in that I do have to manually remove the file using Finder after I've removed it in iPhoto the former doesn't. If I deleted the file first using Finder and then go into iPhoto the picture is still there. I'm left scratching my head....
So my question is.....drum roll please....
What is actually being stored in iPhoto when you import pictures? Is it an actual image file? If so where are those actual image files being stored and are they accessible? It seems that while everywhere I read it says that the iPhoto Library is a "folder" I can't seem to access what's inside of that folder from Finder. I'm obviously missing the thought process behind iPhoto, however I'd like to understand iPhoto's architecture a little better.
Also, if iPhoto is actually storing an image file somewhere within the iPhoto Library folder, thereby making a duplicate of the file I have in my own file structure what's the point of the setting in the "Advance" tab under Preferences that says "Copy Items into the iPhoto Library"?
Maybe my head is still too stuck in the Windows world. Can I deleted all the files, after I've imported them to iPhoto, I have in the file structure I created when I originally moved these pictures to this external HDD?
Thanks for any clarification someone can offer.

Answer 1

scottstephens84
You have a REFERENCED library, and in this scenario, iPhoto does not copy the File from your filing structure, but creates an Alias to it in the /Originals folder inside the iPhoto Package File. Then - as is the case with a MANAGED library as well, it also create a thumbnail and - if you edit the pic - a Modified version.
The thumbnail is what you see in the Organise parts of iPhoto (unless you scale to full-size.)
The correct way to trash pics is: In the iPhoto Window put them in the iPhoto trash and empty it. This removes the Alias, the thumbnail and modified version. Then remove the file from your own filing structure.
However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using a REFERENCED library.
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.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library 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.
If you're concerned about finding the files, There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD