Using iphoto 4 -- thinking of ilife 6????

I am currently using iphoto/imovie/idvd 4/ thinking of going to ilife 6 (also I am on 10.3.9 - thinking of tiger)....what benefits will I see or will I just encounter a bunch of problems...like those posted.
Currrently everything is working fine but wanted to get some extra features from iphoto/imovie/idvd. I don't want to lose my pictures or movies or need to recreate everything.
please advice.
thanks

teit 101:
IMO V6 is far superior to the V4 iapps. iDVD 6 alone is worth the price with it's new themes and and widescreen support. iPhoto 6 has a new file structure that I'm very much in favor of. You can search for some of my posts regarding the new structure. What I like about V6 is that you can create your own folder system for the originals and iPhoto 6 will import those as rolls and use aliases instead of copying the files into it's library. That way a user can have the originals on a second HD and the library on the boot drive. If the source drive is dismounted, like taking a PB on travel and leaving the external behind, you can still see the thumbnails but can edit or work on books, slideshow or calendars. Once the external drive is reconnected you're back in full mode. What this does is to let a user have a large number source files on an external and a much smaller library on the boot driver where you want to keep plenty of free space for optimal performance. My 17,400+ image files on my second HD take up 27G whereas the library on my boot drive is only 8G. A big savings.
V6 also is faster, has a great calendar creation feature, etc. The one downside it has IMO is that the Homepage has been replaced with iWeb and the two and not totally merge-able without some additional effort.
If you have any iDVD projects in process you do not want to upgrade until they are done. The new folder organization messes up the links that it needs.
I've created a workflow for converting from a conventional based library to the new "alias" type. The downside is that you will lose keywords, albums, comments, etc. Whatever route you take make sure you have a backup copy of your V4 library before the conversion. I probably would do a rebuild on the library before converting it to V6 to make sure everything is as pristine as can be for the conversion. Hope this has been of some help.

Similar Messages

I'd like to use iPhoto '09 with Lion. Tried to install from time machine back-up no go. Tried to install from iLife '09 DVD no go.

I'd like to run iPhoto '09 on Lion. Tried to install on Lion from Time Machine backup. Got message iPhoto won't work because of a missing Library file. Tried to install iPhoto '09 from iLife '09 DVD. Got message that it cannot be installed on my system. iMovie runs previous versions and iTunes runs previous versions.
Why can't iPhoto run on Lion? My wife has over 10,000 photos in her library and she's taken the time to sort them into folders. I've recovered the library with the folder sort but have to use it on an external drive with a Snow Leopard system on it. The latest iPhoto ('11) has no provision for organizing into folders. I'd really like to have everything in one place with one OS (Lion) and two iPhoto apps '09 and '11 and I suppose 2 photo libraries. I've been trying to resolve this ever since iPhoto '11 came out and I installed it. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to answer the question " Where are my folders?" brian25

I tried to check the Library setup on iMovie and iTunes. The iMovie Libraries seem to be part of the applications and my iTunes applications have become Russian so I have another problem. I tried to install iPhoto '09 again from my iLife '09 disk. When I selected "Custom Install" to load iPhoto only, the box I got said " A later version of this application is already installed" The iPhoto item which I would choose for a custom install says "skip". Yesterday I ignored this and went on with an install. The final screen said "Installation Successful" There was no iPhoto '09 on my hard drive. As far as I can tell, you cannot load iPhoto '09 from a Time Machine backup. There is no Lion compatable iPhoto '09 in the App store, and iPhoto '09 will not install onto Lion from the iLife '09 disk.I don't understand exactly what you mean by "load my backup and convert again" Do you mean go to the app store and access my purchases and re- download iPhoto '11 and reinstall it and re-convert my iPhoto library? I suppose what I should have done originally was to duplicate my iPhoto '09 library and put it on an external drive for safekeeping. Who knew it wouldn't install on Lion from Time Machine? When I downloaded iPhoto '!! from the app store I should have duplicated it and saved a copy to an external hard drive for safekeeping and then proceeded with installing iPhoto '11 on my hard drive.I suppose when the Thunderbolt concept is fully realized and monster Thunderbolt external droves are in common use this will seem a lot easier. I have rebuilt my iPhoto '09 library and have it on a hard disk that has a bootable copy of Snow Leopard and a working copy of iPhoto '09 also. I think you are telling me to reinstall iPhoto '11 on my internal hard drive and reconvert the iPhoto library used by iPhoto '11. Right? brian25

I am using iPhoto '09 Version 8.1.2 but can not use iCloud with it. I've looked for updates in iPhoto and iLife'11 but no luck. Suggestions very welcome.

I am using iPhoto '09 Version 8.1.2 but can not use iCloud with it. I've looked for updates in iPhoto and iLife'11 but no luck. Suggestions very welcome.

No you won't necessarily lose your photos when upgrading but it's very very unwise not to back up first. Backing up is like using a seat belt in a car. You can drive without one for years and have no issues, but if you do have a problem the outcome will be a lot worse. So, too, with back ups. And upgrading is one of those times when the risks of a problem are higher.
Most Simple Back Up:
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
Example of such apps: Chronosync - but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store

I'm thinking of buying a new camera. Does anyone know if can I process RAW images from a Nikon D5100 or Nikon D3200 using IPhoto on a OSX 10.5.8?

I'm thinking of buying a new camera. Does anyone know if can I process RAW images from a Nikon D5100 or Nikon D3200 using IPhoto on a OSX 10.5.8?

I think you'll note that Google found the list for 10.8, amazing, isn't it
No, neither are supported for Raw on 10.5.8
You'll need 10.6.8 minimum for the D5100
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825
and for the D3200 you'll need 10.7.4 plus compatibility update 3.1.3
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757
Bear in mind that you may also need to update your version of iPhoto too.

Can I use iPhoto 08/iLife 08 on my 1.6 GHz Power PC G5?

I have read that iMovie will not work on my computer... but I am curious about the other programs in iLife. I am interested in upgrading, and since iMovie isn't that good in 08, I am not worried that it won't run, but I would love to use iPhoto and iDVD and iTunes?
Any help is appreciated!

Apple states these requirements - which say that your system will work except for iMovie
• Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 processor; iMovie requires a Mac with an Intel processor, a Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), or an iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster; iDVD requires a 733MHz or faster processor.
See the Apple Store iLife '08 description for complete details
LN

Since installing iLife 09, unable to use iPhoto

Unable to open iPhoto v. 802 or v. 902. Error message reads in part;
"your Photo Library is either in use by another application or has
become unreadable". Any suggestion appreciated.

I have tried everything and still, iPhoto does not open.
Then there is no hope
But on the outside chance that you have not tried everything have you rebuilt from all of the available options (except compacting the database)?
Have you used iPhoto Library Manager to rebuild?
Have you created a new user and tested from that new user?
Have you reinstalled iPhoto?
What is 'everything"
LN

Using iPhoto 08 with Photoshop elements

I am a recent Mac convert and I'm loving it.
However, I need some help understanding how best to use Photoshop Elements in conjunction with iPhoto 08. I was thinking I could use iPhoto to keep track of photos and do basic edits and link to other iLife apps etc, and use Photoshop to do more indepth editing.
I would like to know the most efficient way to open photos from inside iPhoto, into Photoshop. And how to get them back into iPhoto.
I realise I can drag a photo and create a copy on to the desk top and then open it with Photoshop, do some editing, save it to a/any folder, then import it back into iPhoto but…
1) is there a better way to do this?
2) I'm concerned with filling up my hard drive with multiple copies!
I'd be greatful for any help, Thanks

Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
Do you Twango?
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.

What's is the best way to use iPhoto? I need to understand.

What's is the best way to use iPhoto? I need to understand.
I guess the iPhoto is only for people with 5,000 of personal photos.
Or even 200,000, but they can't use this app everyday.
I'm not talk about working as a photographer. They use Aperture.
They may use iPhoto like a family album that you take a look sometimes.
And don't care about putting photos from the camera or from internet everyday.
I have tons of music and I love iTunes 8, works great. So I tried but I can't stand iPhoto anymore.
I have over 173,000 photos. My goal is organize, have total control, crop in Preview and delete them fast as I can.
The iPhoto is too slow. And is not only about performance, more RAM... but the whole concept.
Finder is much better/richer/flexible to organize than iPhoto.
I'm not talking about the photographer workflow.
And I'm not talking about editing and all these great photo features, the search, and all the iLife environment. They are amazing.
When I'm iPhoto, I feel like a prisioner.
I can't open an album/folder/event alone just to take a look, without do lanch the iPhoto app with the all thousand photos together. And it's slow.
I can't use Quick Look there.
So, I'll use Finder for manage/crop/etc. But what's the best way to use iPhoto in my case? Put the best/key ones there to use in iLife/MobileMe? To do a more serious editing? I like the features: keywords/ratings/hidden photos/events... It would be cool this features in Finder.
For example:
iMovie: Manage movies? NO. It's editng only.
iTunes: Manage music/small video/podcast...? OK. Editing the song? OK for tags/convert/artwork/equalizer... For music there's a GarageBand of course.
iPhoto: Manage photos? Yes and No.
I think Finder would kill iPhoto incoporating all the editing features in Preview and the rich manage in Finder.
Jobs said that no one care about iDVD anymore. They care about the web.
Using iMovie to export to MobileMe.
Maybe iPhoto become less important in a near future. With a better Finder+Preview Right?
Sorry for this long text with a short question.
Thanks.

Your post demonstrates exactly why I keep saying that iPhoto is not the application for you.
It would be better an iPhoto organizing photos by words like when iTunes browse his music.
Why on earth would anyone want to organise photos by words? A list mode is entirely pointless in a Photo application. That's like having an old photo album organised with the photos facing inwards so you can read the back of the picture.
Again, this is a characteristic of a File browser. You don't want a Photo organiser, you want a file organiser.
And, in iPhoto, you can search by tags, effortlessly in either the search box or by using a Smart Album.
iPhoto always loads all that events and all the thumbs library to scroll, and I think it's overkill.
So, how is iPhoto to know which ones you want to work with today? Open a library, get the Library.
Would be better a Cover Flow option to browsing in Events.
You've obviously never tried scrubbing along the Event icon.
Imagine iTunes using Cover Flow mode all the time. It won't be too useful.
Many, many people do, including myself on a library of 20k tracks totalling more that 100 gigs, and find it very useful. Same with the Finder.
And if when iTunes Store starts to sell photos?
Why on earth would the iTunes store start to sell photos?
My photos are not junk,
I didn't say there were. Read my post again.
When I said Finder to crop photos I mean Preview. But I feel in Finder. Because what's in Preview? A photo opened with a Preview's menubar and some cocoa APIs like adjustments. Not?
Oh, so you don't count Preview as an application. Fine. It is an application but you don't feel it. As you wish.
My point to you is very simple: Because of the way you want to organise your pics - using lists views and so on - iPhoto is not the application for you. Don't use it. But you keep writing things about the application that are untrue, and I'm aware that other folks search these forums and I don't want them to have inaccurate information about iPhoto.
Regards
TD

Why even use iphoto?

My first experience with iphoto, it corrupted all of my picture files. Luckily I had them all saved on an external harddrive, so I didn't lose them. But many people don't do that and the risk of them losing all of their picture files using iphoto is high. And yes, I tried all of the things listed to rebuild the file and none of them worked. I spoke with tech support and they confirmed that all of my files were corrupted and useless.
So with the fact that the program is unstable and that it uses a system of "Aliases" that makes it impossible to locate your files outside of iphoto, or make any changes to them outside of iphoto... why even use it? It seems to me like it's set up solely to force the user into using only mac products.
Since it destroyed all of my files, I just keep my photos in folders that I created that make sense to ME and I use the program that came with my digital camera to edit them. If I need to look at them, I can see them in the Preview application.
Is there some other reason I should be using iphoto?

I posted because I have a question: why use iphoto? I want to hear someone tell me exactly why they use it and what they love about the program so I can figure out how I can use it to its fullest potential. Please, someone help me understand.
I'll tell you my story, in case it helps answer this question. Keep in mind that iPhoto has many capabilities, and each person can use it in a different way. Here I describe how I use it, past and present.
Pre iPhoto: After my first child was born I got a digital camera and a hand-me-down Mac. I uploaded photos to the hard drive and moved them around in the Finder. I renamed my files to try to help me remember the subject of the photos, tried to organize folders. I got Photoshop Elements and began editing. Then I had to keep edited photos separate from the unedited photos, to somehow know which was which. Some I downsized and uploaded to a sharing website. I needed to know which photos had been shared, so I kept them in another set of folders. If I printed or used photos in a project, I needed them in folders.
This led to rather a mess of folders, all using space in my hard drive. Say I had a photo, knew it was edited, wanted the original... could I find it? I tried managing the photos by date, but ended up with the same photos in different locations. It was very difficult for me to search the different file structures (all set up by me) and find the best version of a particular photo - I organized and reorganized many times, fighting an uphill battle.
Skip ahead to my next hand-me-down Mac, which had iPhoto. I imported my folders of photos. Now I could see them quickly without opening in Preview. It was easy to determine which were duplicates and keep the best one. I got all my images in one easy place and used it only to view my photos. Not knowing any better, I looked in the iPhoto Library folder and found lots of nested numeric folders. Many were empty. It seemed messy, so I consolidated (OOPS) those nasty folders. When I returned to iPhoto, my photos had been replaced with blank placeholders. This brought me to the Apple Discussions, where I learned the golden rule of iPhoto (and any database application): don't change things through the Finder. I put those folders all back and restored the links to all of the photos. It took some time, but I learned a valuable lesson.
Next Mac, iPhoto 5. I had many more photos in my library, since I didn't have to worry about how to file them. I even found all my old picture CDs and imported them to my library. I organized my Film Rolls and preferred film roll view to any other because it gave me a clear picture of my photo inventory. Need that photo from the baby's 2nd birthday? Just scroll to the roll, since rolls are basically chronological. My library was still relatively small and easily manageable.
Then I began to use Albums, but only for special projects. How do I know which photos were cropped 4 x 6 and printed? Because I collected them in an album. Since albums use practically no disc space, this was a great solution. Want to see the best photos from a special birthday? Smart albums are great. I only had to rate the photos, then set up a smart album based on rating and date. Then I could see my best pics from important events. From that, decide which to edit, print, upload, etc.
I had learned how to use Photoshop Elements 3 and was a much improved photo editor. However, I still used the Elements browser to open photos for editing. I saved my edited versions to folders outside of my library and managed them myself. I began to have that old problem of how to locate the best photo...
Bring in the iLife '06 upgrade. Around the same time I upgraded to Elements 4. I thought Bridge was cool, but I couldn't easily browse my iPhoto Library to open a photo. It was very difficult to predict whether the photo I wanted was in Originals or Modified. I came back to the Discussions and read the advice here: +use iPhoto to open the photos for editing in Elements+. It seemed strange at first, but after adding a keyword to identify photos that I have edited in Elements (means I took more time with them) I adjusted to the new workflow. I could edit my photos, identify the edited versions, and know that my originals were still safe if I should need them. No more stragglers and extra duplicates.
After using the one keyword with success, it occurred to me how useful they can be. I went through my entire library and added keywords to the photos. Want to see all photos of my daughter? Just click her name in the keyword pane, and the library is instantly filtered. If I need both kids in the photo, I just click to add his keyword to the filter. Want to exclude myself? (I usually do) Just Option-click my keyword and photos with me are removed from the sort. Need to filter by a special event? Click the birthday or Christmas keyword. It's amazing how many combinations there are using keywords alone. These days I rarely set up Smart Albums, since I can click on keywords for fast, flexible groupings of photos.
I remember my photos by when they were taken. Mostly. But my library keeps growing, and my memory keeps shrinking (alas). So there's the calendar tool. It filters the library by year, month, week, or date. One choice not enough? Shift-click to select a range or command-click to select non-adjacent items. Here's a really cool one: Option-click in the calendar tool to see that time range for every year in the library. Great for finding annual events, even if they aren't keyworded. *It's just so easy to filter the library in different ways, and it doesn't affect the underlying organization of my library.* That's one of the more fun aspects of iPhoto for me - I feel like I have endless flexibility in how I view and group my photos, yet I always go back to my photo inventory in film roll view.
Although I set up iPhoto to open Elements when I double-click, I can still edit in iPhoto by clicking the full-screen edit mode icon in the lower toolbar. This is convenient for a quick crop to a particular aspect ratio. Sometimes Elements is unable to correct the red-eye in a photo, and iPhoto 6 does it better. Elements only has an auto-correct, and when it fails, it fails. In iPhoto 6 there's a trick that turns the cursor into a circle, which can then be placed over the pupil and sized, to precisely define the area for red-eye correction. iPhoto 7 did one better and made this tool easy to access.
Here's a real example of how iPhoto worked for me. Last week we had a death in the family - an aunt. It was sudden, unexpected, and caught us all off-guard. There wasn't much I could do to comfort the family. But I have pictures in my Mac. I quickly filtered my library to locate all my photos of our aunt. I created an album and moved the worthy pictures into it. From the album, I went through and edited in Photoshop Elements. (That part took the longest.) I cropped them all to print dimensions. I printed the best one at 5 x 7 and placed into a frame as a gift. I selected the entire album for printing, loaded the photo paper in my printer, and cranked out a set of 4 x 6 borderless prints that look as good as drug store prints. I placed the prints in a little album and took it to the memorial service. Her daughter had never seen those photos and was touched, so I gave her the album. After all, to recreate it for my kids I only have to select the iPhoto Album, load my printer, and crank out another set.
Another example: One Spring Break I took my kids on a trip to visit my grandparents. While there, we all went to a museum of log cabins and windmills. I took lots of pictures at the museum, figuring I'd make a scrapbook. When I got home I wanted to share my pictures with my grandparents, but didn't want to have to create 2 scrapbooks. So I made a book in iPhoto which told the story of our day at the museum. I ordered one for us and one for my grandparents. It could have taken me weeks to complete a paper album; I did the iPhoto book in a day or two. They were thrilled to receive it, and they still think I am some sort of computer genius. I keep telling them iPhoto made it easy, but they have a PC and just don't get it. That's okay - it's fun being a genius in their eyes.
I hope my rambling answers your question about why I use iPhoto. I also hope that it is not just an endorsement, but answers some of your +technical questions+ about how to use iPhoto. That is, after all, the purpose of this forum. If you have any questions about how I achieved anything that I described here, by all means ask.
Regards.

Iphoto pictures after iLife upgrade

Can't see some pictures in iphoto since i installed iLife. I get a ! instead of an image. this every happen to anyone?

drew61:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. The "!" means that the library has lost the file path to the original file. This happens when there has been an interruption to iPhoto while it is writing to it's database file, Library6.iPhoto. Moving, renaming files or folder inside the library package while in the Finder is another way you can get that indication. Try the three fixes below in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the first three options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos. Report back on how long it took and how many photos you have in the library so we can give other users an idea of how long it may take.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
Open the library package like this.
Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
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.

Finally considering using iPhoto - good with large dbs?

I never liked iPhoto before, and when I bought iLife yesterday, iPhoto was the app I had the least expectations for.
But I tried it and immediately liked the auto-events feature. What a great organizing tool. I like the way you can immediately scan events by rolling over them with your cursor. So I'm thinking of using iPhoto from now on.
One question - how good is it with dealing with 20,000 - 30,000 photos, like 20G - 30G of data?
Thanks!
doug
Message was edited by: Doug Lerner2

Doug:
You shouldn't have a problem with that size library as long as you have sufficient free space on your boot disk. It's strongly recommended you have a minimum of 10 GB free, better to have around 20 if you're going to use iDVD much. You have plenty of RAM. Also check the tip at the end of my signature.
Do you Twango?
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 written 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

I need your help with a decision to use iPhoto. I have been a PC user since the mid 1980's and more recently have used ACDSee to manage my photo images and Photoshop to edit them. I have used ProShow Gold to create slideshows. I am comfortable with my

I need your help with a decision to use iPhoto. I have been a PC user since the mid 1980’s and more recently have used ACDSee to manage my photo images and Photoshop to edit them. I have used ProShow Gold to create slideshows. I am comfortable with my own folder and file naming conventions. I currently have over 23,000 images of which around 60% are scans going back 75 years. Since I keep a copy of the originals, the storage requirements for over 46,000 images is huge. 180GB plus.
I now have a Macbook Pro and will add an iMac when the new models arrive. For my photos, I want to stay with Photoshop which also gives me the Bridge. The only obvious reason to use iPhoto is to take advantage of Faces and the link to iMovie to make slideshows. What am I missing and is using iPhoto worth the effort?
If I choose to use iPhoto, I am not certain whether I need to load the originals and the edited versions. I suspect that just the latter is sufficient. If I set PhotoShop as my external editor, I presume that iPhoto will keep track of all changes moving forward. However, over 23,000 images in iPhoto makes me twitchy and they are appear hidden within iPhoto. In the past, I have experienced syncing problems with, and database errors in, large databases. If I break up the images into a number of projects, I loose the value of Faces reaching back over time.
Some guidance and insight would be appreciated. I have a number of Faces questions which I will save for later.

Bridge and Photoshop is a common file-based management system. (Not sure why you'd have used ACDSEE as well as Bridge.) In any event, it's on the way out. You won't be using it in 5 years time.
Up to this the lack of processing power on your computer left no choice but to organise this way. But file based organisation is as sensible as organising a Shoe Warehouse based on the colour of the boxes. It's also ultimately data-destructive.
Modern systems are Database driven. Files are managed, Images imported, virtual versions, lossless processing and unlimited editing are the way forward.
For a Photographer Photoshop is overkill. It's an enormously powerful app, a staple of the Graphic Designers' trade. A Photographer uses maybe 15% to 20% of its capability.
Apps like iPhoto, Lightroom, Aperture are the way forward - for photographers. There's the 20% of Photoshop that shooters actually use, coupled with management and lossless processing. Pop over to the Aperture or Lightroom forums (on the Adobe site) and one comment shows up over and over again... "Since I started using Aperture/ Lightroom I hardly ever use Photoshop any more..." and if there is a job that these apps can do, then the (much) cheaper Elements will do it.
The change is not easy though, especially if you have a long-standing and well thought out filing system of your own. The first thing I would strongly advise is that you experiment before making any decisions. So I would create a Library, import 300 or 400 shots and play. You might as well do this in iPhoto to begin with - though if you’re a serious hobbyist or a Pro then you'll find yourself looking further afield pretty soon. iPhoto is good for the family snapper, taking shots at birthdays and sharing them with friends and family.
Next: If you're going to successfully use these apps you need to make a leap: Your files are not your Photos.
The illustration I use is as follows: In my iTunes Library I have a file called 'Let_it_Be_The_Beatles.mp3'. So what is that, exactly? It's not the song. The Beatles never wrote an mp3. They wrote a tune and lyrics. They recorded it and a copy of that recording is stored in the mp3 file. So the file is just a container for the recording. That container is designed in a specific way attuned to the characteristics and requirements of the data. Hence, mp3.
Similarly, that Jpeg is not your photo, it's a container designed to hold that kind of data. iPhoto is all about the data and not about the container. So, regardless of where you choose to store the file, iPhoto will manage the photo, edit the photo, add metadata to the Photo but never touch the file. If you choose to export - unless you specifically choose to export the original - iPhoto will export the Photo into a new container - a new file containing the photo.
When you process an image in iPhoto the file is never touched, instead your decisions are recorded in the database. When you view the image then the Master is presented with these decisions applied to it. That's why it's lossless. You can also have multiple versions and waste no disk space because they are all just listings in the database.
These apps replace the Finder (File Browser) for managing your Photos. They become the Go-To app for anything to do with your photos. They replace Bridge too as they become a front-end for Photoshop.
So, want to use a photo for something - Export it. Choose the format, size and quality you want and there it is. If you're emailing, uploading to websites then these apps have a "good enough for most things" version called the Preview - this will be missing some metadata.
So it's a big change from a file-based to Photo-based management, from editing files to processing Photos and it's worth thinking it through before you decide.

Can't use iPhoto/updating thumbnails/original can't be found

I haven't used iPhoto in a long time, and have rarely ever used it, have always found it counterintuitive and unnecessarily difficult. The last time i used it was probably in the past 6 months and it worked OK. Today i'm having a new problem that i can't fix, hoping someone more knowledgeable can help me.
I opened iPhoto because i was going to try using iCloud for storing photos. The "beta" iCloud Photos opened and said that i would have to turn on Photo Library on my iPhone. I looked at that and it said "automatically upload and store your entire photo library in iCloud to access photos and videos from all your devices."
I'm not sure i want to do that, i don't want all my storage used up. I googled "Can i store selected photos on iCloud photos," to see if i can choose which photos in my photo library i want to put on the cloud. I got a link to an Apple Support page which was titled My Photo Stream FAQ. I was reading the beginning of it and it said i needed to have iPhoto v.9.2 or greater. So, i clicked on the iPhoto icon in the doc to open it and see the version number that way.
That was the beginning of the trouble.
I can't remember the whole sequence of what happened, but at the beginning, i got a message window telling me that there were problems with my data directory, it didn't use those terms but something about inconsistencies between different things which it said could cause problems, and one of the options was a button that said Repair. So i clicked on Repair.
Then i got a small window with a progress bar that said Updating Thumbnails. Pretty soon after that, i got another window, a message window that said something like "Alert - The photo “IMG_9673.JPG” could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found." The two options were Cancel or Find Photo. I clicked on Find Photo, a window opened with a field to type the name of the photo but iPhoto had taken the window away that had the file name, so i had to close out and wait for the window to come back. Then i memorized the obscure file name and put it in the search field after clicking Find Photo. Nothing happened. Nothing was found or not found, there was no response and no button to click on. there was no way to use that window to search with. There was a grayed out "open" button. What a waste of time. This is why i don't use iPhoto.
So, then i used the Finder Find file window and typed in IMG_ because there were a lot of them, not just a few, so i wanted to find out where they all were and maybe i could just delete them. Find file showed that a lot of them were in Mail, apparently mail attachments, and there was a total of over 4700 of them. So, there was no way i was going to be able to click Cancel 4700+ times, this was a very slow process, each time, there was an extended pause until the next window with 'cancel' came up, and of course, it would be too easy to have an option to apply the choice to all. That didn't exist. I couldn't do anything functional with iPhoto, everything was grayed out, including Quit. I used force quit.
i tried restarting iPhoto, the same thing happens, i got the same 'updating thumbnails' and 'Alert - original cannot be found'. One time, i got the original "you have inconsistencies" message and the options to repair or or cancel, and i chose cancel this time, but it still brought up the Updating Thumbnails/Alert - can't be found' windows.
Each time, i force quit.
Is there anything i can do? i don't want to reinstall the whole system. Is there something somewhere i can throw in the trash? I do not want to have to reinstall the system software for a program i rarely if ever use because i find it so difficult.

Terence--thank you for the reply. To my knowledge i haven't ever done anything with iPhoto preferences to change it from the default. i have very rarely used iPhoto because i have found the interface difficult and awkward. Because i use it so little, i would've had no reason to change the preferences that i can remember. i certainly would not have known anything about the options you describe and would not have selected a Referenced Library because i don't know where else i would put the photos. I have been managing my photos on the iPhone for the past 5 or 6 years, and before that, i used a Canon photo management program. i mostly store my photos on the phone but i email photos to my computer in order to post them on facebook etc, before that became easier to do from the phone . i would edit photos in Preview or on the phone. I have barely used iPhoto. i think occasionally, i sync the phone photos with the computer as a back up. That would account for there being a lot of photos in the iPhoto Library, maybe. As far as i know, i have the default settings on iPhoto.
I used iPhoto a couple of times in the past year, to find some old photos, and the program opened normally. Today, it did not open normally but gave me the message about having some inconsistencies and asking if i wanted to repair them, which then led to the Updating Thumbnails window, which then led to the Alert - The photo could not be opened because the original could not be found message window. Nothing else opens. There is no functional iPhoto at this point. I can either open it and look at a screen with those messages on it, or i can force quit it. I can't check the preferences settings, not from within the program.
I searched for the IMG_ files and found about 3000 of them and put them in a photo on my desk top. Does that mean they are in a Referenced Library?
Do you know of any way of getting this 'updating thumbnails' process to stop?
There was a time when dragging a plist file to the desk top or the trash could help to fix problems, and i was hoping there would be something like that i could do. i don't know what changed since the last time i opened iPhoto that has caused this problem that i have not had before. Maybe it was after the change from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion. I can't remember.

Is there any way to use iPhoto without it moving my files?

I tried to use iPhoto ONCE last yer when I bought my Mac Mini, and it moved all my photo files around as it pleased, is there any way to stop it fro moving my files? I like the folder/file structure I have given my pictures and I do not need to have that managed.
At the moment I am using Picasa but I would like to know if it is possible to use iPhoto without it deciding what to do with my files.
Thanks!

No
It is a SQL database and it must control its database - like any database program
as long as you think of managing files rather than managing photos it is not the program for you - once you think of managing your photos then having the poser of a database for that will be obvious - if that is not what you want then do not use it
BTW - iPhoto does not ever "move" your files - it makes a copy of each photo in its database and manages it there - your files are never touched
LN

How to use iPhoto with 1 photo library and 2 user accounts on 1 iMac ?

Title says it all.
I don't want to have a double picture library, it takes enough space from my harddisk already.
My wife and I share the same camera too. We want to see the same pictures when using iPhoto.
Possible solution: Do I have to make a softlink from 1 user account to the photo lib that belongs to the other account ? [in Terminal: ln /Users/.... etc.)
(Yes, I'm an ex-Linux user)
Thnx
Fred4711

If you want to have the same data, do you need separate accounts? A surprising number of people think that must have separate ccounts and they really don't need to.
Anyway:
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.

Using iphoto 4 -- thinking of ilife 6????

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