Viewing iPhoto Library in Finder

I have just upgraded to a new iMac and have transferred all my files, settings & applications from my old iMac. The old machine had MAC OS X 10.4.11 and the new machine has 10.5.5
When using my old machine in Finder I could go to Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals and browse all of my pictures. When I look in Pictures on my new machine I can see my iPhoto Library but I can't see the content. This causes a problem in Adobe Photoshop Bridge because I can't see the content of my iPhoto Library and therefore I can't open any pictures.
What am I doing wrong? Any advice anyone?

RedPam
This is an iPhoto 08 question, not really a 10.5 one.
With iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is now a Unix Style Package File. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
One of the most common ways of doing this was browsing the iPhoto Library Folder with Bridge. Bluntly, you need to choose between the two.
You don't need Bridge to work with iPhoto. You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Finally, 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.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
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 iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto. With 10.5 you can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
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

Similar Messages

How to view iPhoto library in finder so photos can be transferred to PC?

I'm going to store my iPhoto library on an external hard drive by default because I want to be able to view the photos on a PC. However when I import photos from my iPhone, they appear in the iPhoto application but how do I view them in the finder so that I can easily view them as individual picture files on a PC?

You can not do that -- the iPhoto library must be on a volume formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) and the PC can not read that - and iPhoto has no cross platform capability and the library is not designed for direct access - it is not supported
You neet to use a different program tha does have cross platform capability
Or you can export photos from iphoto and have them on the PC or a drive the PC can access
LN

"Check that you have permission to write to the library directory." I had this error pop up when trying to access a iPhoto Library from Finder.

The error, "Check that you have permission to write to the library directory." Displayed after trying to access a iPhoto Library from finder. The file is located on the local hard drive and was accessed not 5 minutes before the error displayed. Upon searching the forums I found a similar problem and the instructions said to check a permission box in the "Get Info" tab. There was no box visible and after clicking the arrow to open the "Open With" tab, the rainbow wheel started to spin and I could no longer access Finder or the desktop. I was deleting files trying to make space on my hard drive and noticed as I was deleting files more data was being added to the iPhoto Library. My question is how can I fix this and how can I prevent this in the future, thank you very much for any help, I would really like to keep these pictures.

I found a similar problem and the instructions said to check a permission box in the "Get Info" tab.
This applies only when the Library is on an external drive. You cannot ignore permissions on the system drive.
I was deleting files trying to make space on my hard drive
What were you deleting?
and noticed as I was deleting files more data was being added to the iPhoto Library.
Hard to see how deleting files can add data to the iPhoto Library. Can you explain why you thought this?
I would really like to keep these pictures.
Make a back up now.
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

Organizing iPhoto Library in Finder

I was wondering if someone could tell me how to better organize my iPhoto library in Finder. Right now, the automatic setting, it is organzing them by year, month, day. I dont know if there is a way to have them organized in Finder by the albums you create in iPhoto itself. The way it is in Finder makes it really difficult to reach them outside of iPhoto ( to send them thru attachments in alternative emails or AIM it is necessary to access the photos thru finder- if this is wrong maybe someone knows, but if its not, than the way the photos are currently set up makes it difficult to pull them out quickly). Thanks for the help,
Courtney.
Oh I am using iPhoto 5
ibook g4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO 'ORGANIZE' iPHOTO VIA THE FINDER!! You will corrupt your library and then have a big mess to get your pictures back. Do some more browsing in these discussions and you will find many tales of woe from people who messed with iPhoto via the Finder.
When you want to send attachments etc it is much simpler to export a copy of the picture to the desktop (which also allows you to make it a more email-friendly file size) and then navigate there to attach it. You can also make a selection in iPhoto and then hit the email button which opens your email program with attachments ready made.

Opening iPhoto Library in Finder

Hi
how to Opening iPhoto Library in Finder ? i tried through the Go common but it gave me a message that i don't have permission so how to browse the photos in iPhoto through finder folders something similar to iTunes library ?

Surfing the iPhoto Library is not supported in any version, and since iPhoto 08 the old iPhoto Library Folder is now a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
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.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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*: File -> Reveal in FInder will produce a Finder window with the file already selected.
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Note that iPhoto sends a copy+ of the file to Photoshop, so when you save be sure to use the Save command, not Save As... If you use Save As then you're creating a new file and iPhoto has no way of knowing about this new file. iPhoto is preserving your original anyway.
All of the above are a: safer and b: faster than surfing the old Library folders.
Regards
TD

Can't find iPhoto library in Finder

I want to move my iPhoto library to an external hard drive and have read posts about how to do this but I have one problem - my iPhoto library is no where to be found in Finder. It's not in the Pictures folder, Media is not even listed on the right hand side, so I can't look there, like some postings have suggested. Any ideas where it's hiding or how to find it? I'm using iPhoto '11 version 9.4.3 with OS X 10.8.3

Select any of the photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder Window should open with the file selected.
In the Finder's Column View you can track back to the Library's location.

How get iPhoto Library in "Finder" to mirror "Source" folders in iPhoto?

My data was transferred from a PC to my Mac. When the photos from my PC photo software migrated, the Apple Genius (or operating system, iPhoto program, etc.) organized them totally differently from how they were organized on my PC. I was able to create new folders with the apporpriate subfolders and photos in the iPhoto application. In "Finder", though, it's all still organized the wrong way. It creates problems when, for example, I want to attach a photo to an e-mail. I cannot find a particular photo unless I actually look at in iPhoto, the way I reorganized it. So... does anyone know if/how I can get the Pictures part of my Finder to mirror (or as close as possible) the organization I have in the iPhoto application itself. Many thanks!

Hi TexanMac,
Any albums and folders you make within iPhoto to organize your photos will not be reflected in the iPhoto Library folder in the finder. all the album, folders, books, slideshows etc. are all just info stored in data files.
What is reflected in the finder is your roll structure. The rolls you have within iPhoto are the same in the iPhoto Library folder in the Finder. If you name your rolls, then they will be easy to find in the Finder.
Take a look at the screenshot and you will see what I mean.
iPhoto 6 Library folder in the Finder
As you can see the structure is now related to rolls. Rolls are created for each folder you import and each import session from a camera.
It is very easy to change the names of film rolls within iPhoto to make them easier to find images within. Open the info panel in iPhoto by clicking on the "i" icon. Once it is opened, click on the roll title in the viewing window.
Click on the word "title" in the info pane and type in your new title. I like to use a date and text format such as 12/25/05 Christmas at Mom's, 1/05/06 my birthday, etc. Once the roll names are changed within iPhoto, they are also changed within the Finder, making it easy to locate an image.
When importing from a camera, make sure you name the roll with a date and text before the import.
By the way, you can select photos in iPhoto and hit the Mail icon to have them attached to your email. What email client do you use?
You can also control click on a photo within iPhoto and scroll to "show file". this will open a Finder window with your photo selected.

Why can I not directly view iPhoto pictures from Finder?

When going into finder/Photos I cannot directly view my IPhoto's images. It displays the icon for iPhoto's to be opened so that the images can be viewed. Is there a way that the photos can be drectly displayed in finder, rather than launching the application?

Yes but...
You can look inside the iPhoto Library easily enough but to what end?
Here's how: Right (or Control-) Click on the Library icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
Now you can see inside. Your original photos, as imported from your camera, will be in the Masters folder (called the Originals folder in some versions).
But here's the thing: Make no changes of any kind in this folder. Do not move, erase, delete, add or rename anything. If you do you risk significant dataloss
The innards of the iPhoto Library are like the engine of a car. There are no user-serviceable parts there. The inexperienced user will cause damage. The experienced user will not cause damage as s/he won't get involved there.
When you use iPhoto you are saying that you don't want to access your files via the Finder. iPhoto replaces the Finder for anything that you want to do with your photos. It works like this because iPhoto uses lots of virtualisation in its processes - all non-destructive editors do.
So, why do you want to go in there?
To share a photo with some other app for editing?
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
To share a photo by email/ upload to a website etc?
For help accessing your photos in iPhoto see this user tip:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4491
To get a good quality version of a Photo:
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
Basically, if you want to surf your photos via the Finder then you don't want to use iPhoto.

Viewing iPhoto files in finder

I haven't been able to look at my iPhoto picture files through finder or adobe bridge ever since I got Leopard. It shows the iPhoto icon but there are no extensions from that and clicking on it only opens iPhoto, which is no help because I want to open the files with Photoshop to edit them. This was never a problem with Tiger..any ideas?

Your photos are in a package - the iPhoto library in the Pictures folder
To edit in Photoshop the best option is to set photoshop as the editor in the iPhoto preferences (iPhoto menu ==> preferences ==> edit photos n application and navigate to photoshop
Then just save from photoshop and iPhoto will maintain its database integrity
For a complete discussion see TD's comments here - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6056594&#6056594
Also you might want to post iPhoto questions in the iPhoto forum for more response
Larry Nebel

Deleted iphoto library via finder with no gain in drive space

My iphoto library was getting too large so I backed it up and deleted it (in finder). I then noted that I did not get the 112GB of space back on my hard drive that I was expecting. I read a few threads and discovered that I was supposed to have deleted the photos within iphoto itself... so, I restored the library into its original location and deleted the photos within iphoto itself and emptied the trash. Going into iphoto, it states that no photos are present in both the 'events' folder as well as the trash, but I have not gained any space on my drive...
Please help me reclaim my drive...

Empty the trash.
Regards
TD

IPhoto Library in Finder changed after iPhoto 6.0.6 update - HELP!!!

I recently installed iLife 06 on my Powerbook and soon afterwards got a message that my iPhoto would be updated. Not having any problems in the past with software updates, I clicked the 'ok' button. Then when I went into Finder, I found that the whole organisation of my photos in the iPhoto Library had changed from being sorted by year, month and day, to year and roll. I HATE this and cannot find any photos or films the way I used to find them. Can anybody explain WHY on earth Apple have decided to sort files this way and if there is anything I can do to revert to the old way? Also in the iPhoto Library now, the same photos seem to be in at least 3 different places. WHAT is that all about??? I would be so grateful if someone could help! Thanks in advance, a very frustrated Mac lover!
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

NiniP
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Can anybody explain WHY on earth Apple have decided to sort files this way and if there is anything I can do to revert to the old way?
I think they changed the entire database engine with iPhoto6 to take account of ever growing libraries.
But NO there is NO way to revert to the older way, nor is there any need to.
To find pics - and this was also the way in earlier versions - you never need to look in the iPhoto Library Folder. There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
Also in the iPhoto Library now, the same photos seem to be in at least 3 different places. WHAT is that all about???
iPhoto - as it has always done - keeps your Original file, untouched, a Modified version (if you've edited it) and a thumbnail. This has been the way since iPhoto 1.
A Note about the iPhoto Library Folder:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
This allows the Photos -> Revert to Original command - very useful if you don't like the changes you've made.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
IF you do your work in the iPhoto Window - as is intended with the app - then you'll have no problems whatever.
Regards
TD

Problem viewing iPhoto library

For some reason, whenever I try to view an enlarged picture in iPhoto, it will just appear black, although the thumbnail will appear fine. This happened to me after my computer got a large kernel panic attack, which caused my computer to get a kernel panic every time I booted up. (virus?) Eventually it stopped, but now most of my iLife apps are broken. Help?
In console, it shows the following message when trying to view an enlarged image:
iPhoto[271] Can't open movie: -2020
Message was edited by: -Shadow-

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the apple and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild.
If that fails:
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

Cant access my iphoto library with finder

Hi everyone,
i installed ilife 08 and since that, i cant find my photos with finder/pictures. I only have the iphoto logo
Someone can help me ?
Thkx

lagomery
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
To upload to MySpace or any 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 use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves. If you're willing to risk database corruption, you can restore the older functionality simply by right clicking on the iPhoto Library and choosing 'Show Package Contents'. Then simply make an alias to the folders you require and put that alias on the desktop or where ever you want it. Be aware though, that this is a hack and not supported by Apple.
Regards
TD

Iphoto Library in Finder

For one reazon when I installed Iphoto 2008 with Ilife I deleted the iphoto library from the finder. so when I am trying to download a picture to an Email of course I can't find any picture to transfer. Can somebody help me with this? Also i tried to Back up to my external Hard drive and is giving me an error to make a folder. Please Please I need some help here.
Thanks in Advanced

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.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
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 iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto. With 10.5 you can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
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 free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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

No photos under iPhoto Library in finder

When I want to upload a picture there are no photos under the iPhoto Library in my Pictures place. In other words, where there was once an arrow to expand iPhoto to show all the photos, there is just the one folder called iPhoto Library. The effect is that if I click on that to upload it will upload my entire library. Where did the pictures go and how can I get them back in the library? Thanks.

Since iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is now a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
Accessing the Library via the Finder has never been supported on any version of iPhoto.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
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.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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.
All of the above are a:faster and b: safer than rooting around in the folders of the Library.
Regards
TD

Viewing iPhoto Library in Finder

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