Using Multiple iPhoto Libraries

Hi, I just got a new macbook pro. I have photo libraries on two other machines that I transferred over. I would rather not spend money to merge the libraries but every time I switch from one library to the other it duplicates the pictures in the "all images", "all documents" and "all videos" folders and I now have about 15000 pictures/movies in those folders. any suggestions? also is there an easy way to remove the duplicates from the "all images" folder?
Thanks.

The contents of the All Images window is just the search results of all images on the HD and doesn't represent an actual duplication of image files. Just changing the library that is opened by iPhoto does not duplicate image files on the hard drive. It might change the number of files found in the All Images search window. That All Images window is a predefined for all image file on the boot drive. I get the same results in that window regardless of which library is opened.
If changing libraries actually did duplicate image files on the hard drive you would see a change in the Capacity value in the Info window for the HD:
Click to view full size
Do you see a change in the capacity of the HD (in the Info window for the HD) when you switch from Library A to Library B?

Similar Messages

Can I use multiple iPhoto libraries with Aperture?

I've been using iPhoto to manage my photos (successfully) for many years. I have multiple themed iPhoto libraries with many thousands of photos in them (ten years' worth of digital plus another fifty years scanned). I am thinking of downloading Aperture and giving it a try (thanks to an App Store gift card).
Can I use Aperture to edit photos within these iPhoto libraries? Do the libraries become "common" to both applications, or does duplication occur? I have limited hard drive space and don't want to create large duplicate files on my iMac.
Thanks.

luba petrusha wrote:
I have some 50-100 libraries (haven't counted recently) which occupy most of my hard drive. I find it easiest to manage my photos with themed libraries (annual, trip, subject).
You could make each of your "themed Libraries" a Folder in Aperture, with all your current Projects and Albums intact. In this way, you could search across all of your Image at once (e.g.: a Smart Album showing all Images in which you've identified a Face as "Mom"; or filter for the keyword "Sunset"). In general, the more Images in a Library, the more useful that Library is. I strongly recommend one Library for each photographer (or group of photographers working as a business). Aperture has no trouble handling enormous Libraries (officially, it supports up to 1,000,000 Images, iirc).
A more advanced Library organization would replace each "themed" Folder+Projects with Albums. There is no reason to limit your "themes" to the Images in just the Projects contained in a Folder.
My general recommendation has always been to put all your Projects in one Folder (with sub-Folders as needed); and to put all your Albums in another top-level Folder. In this way you build two structures: a _storage_ structure, in which you put all your Projects, where each Project = one shoot, and an _access_ structure, where you have Albums organized by Folders into whatever groupings you need.
The newest version of Aperture (3.3.1) leans in this direction. For the first time there is a default division between Project storage and Album storage (one the Library tab of the Inspector, there are now two built-in top-level containers, one for Projects and one for Albums).
A separate issue is where on your system your Library and your Originals are stored. Aperture allows you to move your Originals to storage on external drives or other non-system drives. The limitation of the storage available on the system drive is something that all active photographers encounter at some point. (In Aperture-speak, you would convert Image's Originals from Managed to Referenced using "File➞Relocate Originals". This isn't something I'd look into right away, but rather after you become familiar with the Aperture interface.

Multiple iPhoto libraries facial recognition

I have decided to use multiple iPhoto libraries. In one library I have used facial recognition for all of my photos. Q: When I move to the next library will iPhoto recognize those faces?

No
One of the many reasons that multiple libraries are not recommended - iPhoto is a SQLite database and it is most powerful when you have one database - there is no connection of any sort between different libraries
LN

Has anyone used Fat Cat Software to merge multiple iPhoto Libraries?

Has anyone used Fat Cat Software to merge multiple iPhoto Libraries?

I used it several years ago to merge libraries without problem. I cannot speak to the current version. It goes without saying that you need to have a very good backup before you use that sort of software (if you do).
Barry

I have successfully merged multiple iphoto libraries using iphoto-manager. Now I have multiple albums noted with the old iphoto names. CAN I DELETE THOSE?

Now that I have merged multiple iphoto libraries into one -- can I delete the albums that show up with the old library names?

You can do what ever you want - in iPhoto albums are simply pointers to photos so deleting an album has no effect except the album is gone - only when you delete from events or photos view is the photo deleted from the library and disk (after you empty the iPhoto trash and the system trash)
LN

Multiple iPhoto Libraries

I have over 25,000 photos and use several iPhoto libraries to manage and organize them. One library lives on my Powerbook 17" hard drive and the others are on external FW800 drives.
Because I take so many photos away from home, I usually import photos to my Powerbook library temporarily, then transfer them to one of the libraries I have on the external HDs in my studio and delete them from the PB.
One library consists only of photos I have taken for a client, another contains family photos, a third one is abstract and artistic photos, a fourth is all antique cars, a fifth all nudes, etc...
I would like to be able to include some photo albums from each library on my 60G iPod Color. Is there a way to do this without combining all of my photos into the same library?
I guess what I am asking is: is it possible to get photos from multiple libraries on the same iPod at the same time? if so, how?
If not, is there a way for me to create an iPhoto library that consists of photo aliases (I don't want to import duplicates of the photos to include on the iPod) and then use that library to sync with the iPod?
PB G4 17, G3 Pismo, Yosemite, iMacDV Mac OS X (10.4.1)

you should probably post this question in the iPhoto Forum
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=143

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]

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.

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

Multiple iPhoto Libraries in Aperture?

I have been an iPhoto user since the beginning, and thus have about 7 iPhoto libraries of about 5000 keyworded pics each. Up till now I have not combined them even though the current version of iPhoto should handle them all.
I am considering a new Intel-based Mac and Aperture purchase, but a key feature need I have is to "see" all 7 iPhoto libraries in Aperture without importing all these libraries into the aperture library. I get the impression this is possible with 1.5, but have not seen it discussed specifically. Ideally I could see these old iPhoto libraries as 7 projects; from then on out I would import from the camera directly into Aperture.
Anyone doing or done this?

Ok, I don't know if this would count but here's what I did:
I have two Macs and use iPhoto on both, populated with different content. So I guess that would count as multiple iPhoto libraries.
I'm on my MacBook Pro and I mounted my home volume on the remote PowerMac G4.
I launch Aperture and created a new project called "say "Import->iPhoto Library…".
The file browser drops down. I navigate to "Remote User Home->Pictures->iPhoto Library". I also chose "Store Files: In their current location". Then I clicked Choose.
Aperture started chugging along. I had created a new project and selected it for the import, expecting the imported photos to be stored in the new project. Instead, Aperture created an iPhoto Library folder on the root level, and a Rolls folder inside it. Each roll in the iPhoto library became a Project in the Rolls subfolder. Each Album in the iPhoto Library became an album in the iPhoto Library folder in Aperture. Slide shows in the iPhoto library did not get imported. Trash in the iPhoto library did not get imported.
Next, I imported the local iPhoto library to see what it would do with a 2nd iPhoto library.
Again, I said "Import->iPhoto Library…".
The file browser drops down and points automatically to "Local User Home->Pictures->iPhoto Library". I also chose "Store Files: In their current location". Then I clicked Choose.
Nothing happened. Background Task List shows nothing.
Thinking that Aperture could only allow one iPhoto Library photo, I renamed the folder and tried again. Still nothing.
I created a new folder and moved all the imported items into the new folder. I then deleted the original iPhoto Library folder that was created. Still nothing.
I then deleted all the items imported from the remote iPhoto library, quit and restarted Aperture and tried to import the local iPhoto library again. Still nothing happened.
So my bizarre interim conclusion is that I can import an iPhoto Library from a non-standard location but not my primary iPhoto Library.
I'm stumped.
I need to take care of other stuff. Will continue the experiments later.
Anybody care to try?

Hi. I setup an external hard drive on my AirPort Extreme to act as a central disk for multiple iPhoto libraries. I have a new iMac with iPhoto '11 and an MBPro with iPhoto '09. I'm getting an error message saying different versions. Ideas?

Long title. Sorry. It pretty much explains the situation. I'd like to have all of my photos from two (ultimately three) computers on this central file and be able to access them from any of the computers. The error message I get when I start up my MBPro is: "You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto" and, "You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto." It then forces me to quit iPhoto. I have tried the suggestion of holding down the opt key on iPhoto startup, but it doesn't seem to help.
Two questions:
Can I store multiple iPhoto libraries on the same central disc?
If so, how should I address the error message?
Thank you!

Hey Kappy, thank you for your help! Yes, I can open both libraries on the iMac without problem. I am still confused why the computer that created one of the libraries cannot open said library after it was moved to the external disk. Why is the iPhoto format not readable by all versions across the board?? The reason I'm pushing the issue is because in my household, we have an older MB, my wife's MBP, my MBP and now a new "family" iMac. The MB (circa 2007) has an old version of iPhoto, the two MBP's have iPhoto '08 and the new iMac has '11. It is my goal to have all of the photos that we've accrued over the years, located centrally, and accessible from all of these computers. Is iPhoto the most appropriate program, or would Lightroom make more sense?

Using Multiple iPhoto Libraries

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for