Want to break up iPhoto Library... BUT...

I have a 30GB iPhoto library. I want to speed up iPhoto opening and I want to break my iPhoto library into years. I also like publishing pictures to my .Mac iPhoto gallery. Will my iPhoto gallery work with multiple libraries? Does anyone else do this? It is nice to have all the galleries in one list, I have about 20 right now but I can trade off if this will speed up performance. I have a relatively new MBP with 3GB of RAM so my machine is up to the task.. just a pretty large library...
Rob

Rob:
I have to ask the same question as Terence did, how slow is your current library? If you are opening the library to the Photos section and do not have the Event titles showing then it will be much slower in opening and running because all of the thumbnail files will have to be rendered. If you're doing that set the viewing preferences for the Photo mode to include the Event titles and keep the events closed except for those that you need.
You can split your libraries by year with the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager. Just create a smart album base on a given year. Then copy that album into a new library like this. You will also be copying the events, keywords, titles and comments associated with those photos. When the copy is complete and you're satisfied with the new library you can delete those photos from the original library.
However, your galleries will have to stay in the current library. They cannot be transferred to another library. The only get transferred as subscriptions, not editable and publishable galleries.
You could have a library for each year but keep the current library just for galleries. Delete all of the photos (after the yearly libraries are created) that are not in a gallery. You can add photos for a new gallery by assembling them in an album in the current year's library and coping the album to the Gallery Library like this.
I have a 54 GB library of 20,926 photos and 298 movies that opens in 5 seconds on my G5. Again, how slow is your library in opening and editing? Can you give us some idea of the times?
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.

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Hi. I opened iPhoto and, suddenly, it tells me " WHAT IPHOTO LIBRARY DO I WANT TO USE?" but i had a iPhoto library. When i search on my Pictures, i have the file IPHOTO LIBRARY but it appears on a dim letters and i can not open it.

Hi. I need some help on the following problem. I opened iPhoto and, suddenly, it tells me " WHAT IPHOTO LIBRARY DO I WANT TO USE?" but i had a iPhoto library. When i search on my Pictures, i have the file IPHOTO LIBRARY but is was not the icon on it i previously remembered and it appears on a dim letters and it can not be opened ... How can i recover it??

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
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

I have a few hundred duplicates in my iPhoto library, but the file sizes are different. So one is 1.3mb and one is 567kb. I want to delete the smaller ones, but short of comparing each duplicate, is there a way to do this?

I have a few hundred duplicates in my iPhoto library, but the file sizes are different. So one is 1.3mb and one is 567kb. I want to delete the smaller ones, but short of comparing each duplicate, is there a way to do this? I've been looking at Duplicate Annhilator but I don't think it can do it.
Thanks!

I just ran a test with iPhoto Library Manager, Duplicate Annihilator, iPhoto Duplicate Cleaner, Duplifinder and Photodedupo. I imported a folder of 5 photos into a test library 3 times, allowing iPhoto to import duplicates. I then ran the 5 photos thru resizer to reduce their jpeg compression but all other aspects of the file the same.
None of the duplicate removal apps found set that was reduced in the file resizer. That's probably due to the fact that the file creation date was being used as a criteria and the resized photo would have a different file creation date even though the Image Capture date was the same.
They all found the 3 regular duplicates and some of them would mark two and leave the 3rd unmarked. iPhoto Duplicate Cleaner can sort the found duplicates by file size but if the file was edited to get the reduced file size it might not be found as it would have a different file creation/modification date.
iPhoto Library Manage was able to find all duplicates and mark them as such if the file names were the same the the filename option was selected. Otherwise it also missed the modified, resized version. It allowed one to select the one photo to save before going to work on the library.
So if a photo has been reduced in image quality or pixel size it will not be considered a duplicate.
OT

I would like to download / backup my entire iPhoto library, but want to do so in a manner where each event is saved as a distinct folder. Can someone please advise if / how this is possible?

I would like to download / backup my entire iPhoto library, but want to do so in a manner where each event is saved as a distinct folder. Can someone please advise if / how this is possible?

See Terence Devlin's User Tip on exporting from iPhoto:
Exporting From iPhoto https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
To write events to separate folders, use "File > Export" and select the subfolder format "Event Name". But that will only backup the photos and not your iPhoto library and all the work you invested in organising it. For backing up, see: iPhoto and File Management

I want to copy my iPhoto library to an external drive but I cannot find the folder on my Mac Air. When I open Finder there is no Picture folder showing so I cannot find the iPhoto library.

I want to copy my iPhoto library to an external drive but I cannot find the folder on my Mac Air. When I open Finder there is no Picture folder showing so I cannot find the iPhoto library.

Choose Go to Folder from the Finder's Go menu and provide ~/Pictures/ as the path. If that doesn't work, control-click a photo in iPhoto, show it in the Finder, and Command-click the folder's name in the window's title bar to find the path.
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When I launch I photo it wants me to choose a library but it doesn't find one which is impossible, because i still have no storage. before i can clean up i want to back up them. how can i find my library?

When I launch I photo it wants me to choose a library but it doesn't find one which is impossible, because i still have no storage. before i can clean up i want to back up them. how can i find my library?

You may very well have damaged your library - or even your system by not having adaquate storage available
And never select all of the pitcture and move them - that will destroy your library - the iPhotolibrary is a SQLite database and must always be kept intact as a single entity -
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
LN

I want to move my iphoto libarary but i am getting an error message that says there is already a folder with that name - there is not.

I want to copy my iphoto library to an external hard drive but when i drag and drop it there i get an error message that says there is already a file with that name - i am not sure what to do next?! i have tried changing the name of the file - and searching for the same file name in the destination folder - nothing works! i want to back up this library! HELP! This is the ERROR message: The operation can’t be completed because an item with the name “iPhoto Library to MOVE ” already exists.

Are you following the instructions here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229?viewlocale=en_US

Your photo library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto Library?

Your photo library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto Library?
Do you want to create or find?
This is the message I get when I try to open iphoto.
1. this is the first time since I've used iphoto that this has happened.
2. I would like to know why.
3. I am not sure which choice to make.
4. recent changes involving photos would be deleting several photos....I used a program called Grand Perspective and began to delete photos from there
5. although I'm interested in fixing this problem, I would like to learn more about 'libraries' and the way iphoto works. Previous to owning a Mac, I used Picasa with my pc and I don't remember it using as much space on my hard drive. iphoto has a large number of duplicated photos of which I've been unable to resolve easily and it is approx. 60 G of space. I would like to have access to my images (30,000) through external hard drives but not necessarily have them all on my mac. I believe that is what Picasa does. I'm using the new Picasa for Mac but want to continue to use iphoto as well.
If I did not form this question well enough, please let me know how to clarify. I'm trying to remedy this while answering a million Why? why? Why? questions from my 4 year old!
Thank you.
iphoto 7.1.5

I would like to learn more about 'libraries'
Step one is to learn about iPhoto - it is not a photo viewer like Picasa - it is a photo manager and uses an SQL database - the content and structure of this database are critical (as with any database application) to the operation of iPhoto - any changes made to either the content or structure of the database using external programs including (especially) the finder can corrupt the database and cause you to lose data
recent changes involving photos would be deleting several photos....I used a program called Grand Perspective and began to delete photos from there
This is how you destroyed your iPhoto library and made it unusable
As to space - the iPhoto database contains at a minimum a copy of the original photo (in the default and recommended operating environment) and a small thumbnail. When any modification to the photo is made a modified version is created so there might be three versions (no duplicates) of a photo within the iPhoto library - none of them are extraneous and none of them can be removed without corrupting the iPhoto library
Once a photo is imported into iPhoto (assuming default settings which are strongly recommended) the original source photo outside of iPhoto can be archived, deleted or otherwise handles - iPhoto has no further need for it.
The iPhoto library can be located on an external hard drive so long as that hard drive is always available when iPhoto is running
In general it is not advised to run two different photo organizers against the same photos - so if you use both Picasa and iPhoto you are likely to create future problems (although Google claims it is possible - just remember that you can not successfully make any change of any sort to any photo with the iPhoto library using Picasa or any other program - if you only use Picasa to look at photos you may be ok - if you never make any mistakes
As to your immediate problem - you have destroyed you iPhoto library by deleting files from it. If you want to use iPhoto you will have to start over - find the originals folder within the iPhoto library and launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key and create a new library - import the photos from the originals folder into iPhoto and do not go inside the iPhoto library or modify the contents of the iPhoto library in the future.
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

When trying to import photos with iPhoto from photoshop.. won't let me keeps saying that the photos are already in the iPhoto library but they are not... need to fix this

When trying to import photos with iPhoto from photoshop... won't let me keeps saying that the photos are already in the iPhoto library but they are not

If you are using Photoshop from within iPhoto the following may help with the workflow. However, we do need to know the answers to the questions posed by Terence and Larry to be able to help you.
Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts 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..
With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
Screenshots are from PSE 10
Note 1: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
Note 2: editing a RAW file with either PSE or PS creates a new file which must be saved outside of iPhoto, i.e. the Desktop, and imported as a new photo into the iPhoto Library.

I have thumbnails in my iPhoto library but when I click on them the screen is black

I have thumbnails on my iPhoto library but when I click on them the screen is black. I have had my computer in 2-3 times for this issue and the library is corrupt, or so I was told. This doesn't make sense since the photos are obviously in my library some where. Any thoughts what is going on?

Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button,
and select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

I m trying to import some picture from my iphoto library but element 12 don't show me the iphoto dialog box , as I can see on my classroom book and in many tutorial.any one can help please

I m trying to import some picture from my iphoto library but element 12 don't show me the iphoto dialog box ,where i choose what i want to import, as I can see on my classroom book and in many tutorial.any one can help please ? thanks

I have the same problem... but the photo library is neither on my iPhone or my Computer!! Please help.. its taking too much space.

Moved iPhoto Library but can't open it

I copied my iPhoto Library from my main hard drive to an external Lacie 250 GB hard drive. Then I renamed the original iPhoto library so iPhoto couldnt find it when it opened.
When I opened iPhoto, I got the following message, as expected:
"Your iPhoto Library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto Library?
iPhoto can’t continue without a Photo Library. Make sure the disk containing your Photo Library is connected."
I then clicked on the 'Find Library' button. I then found the new iPhoto Library folder on the external hard drive and hit the 'Open' button, but nothing happens. The 'Open' button actually just sort of throbs (turns dark and pale in turn).
Is there something else I need to do to point iPhoto at this new library?
Thanks.

FYI: Next time copy over the entire iPhoto Library folder as an entity. Don't open it or copy it in pieces. That will ensure that you don't corrupt your database in the move.
I'm glad you were able to fix it.
Regards.

I'm using imovie 10.0.3 with OS x Version 10.9.2. or some reason I can't double click on iphoto events to siadplay the pictures within that event. I've rebuilt my iphoto library, but nothing seems to work. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm using imovie 10.0.3 with OS x Version 10.9.2. or some reason I can't double click on iphoto events to siadplay the pictures within that event. I've rebuilt my iphoto library, but nothing seems to work. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello All,
Also no answer but am having the same problem. All my catalogueing via folders is up in smoke and no external HDs (where I would normally directly store raw footage when importing) showing up on the iMovie interface. It is a pain the arse to go back to the earlier version - why APPLE, pray tell, do you continue to lower expectations user-friendly functions. Shall try the option+open for a library but this too is extremely inconvenient if it works like iPhoto because you have to log out to log in to a new library whereas I just want to be able to see my multiple HDs directly from the iMovie menu and then the folders within folders I have layered in there - to make it easy to FIND STUFF. Wake up Apple, you are NOT meeting your customer's needs or desires.
Thanks to the posters who are helping the rest of us lost in the dark with possible solutions - free fix-its for Apple which they don't deserve.

I just replaced my hard drive and restored everything from Time machine. However, I am unable to open iphoto and the following message appears Your photo library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto Library?

I just replaced my hard drive and restored everything from Time machine. However, I am unable to open iphoto and the following message appears Your photo library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto Library?
Where do I find this library?
thanks
Shak

Twas quite a hassle if I am honest which was eventually resolved but I don't feel qualified to help anyone through the process as it required a trip to my local apple store and a genius bar appointment.
Personally, I would do anything like moving pictures out of folders etc. Certainly not creating a new users. i don't think that is an elegant solution
Try the following which MAY just about rescue the situation for you but if they don't work you may have to do something more drastic.
(1) Holding down Cmd & Alt at the same time, start iPhoto by clicking on the iPhoto icon. From the resulting menu choose Rebuild photo library by selecting all available options given to you and then pressing REBUILD!
If that doesn't work
(2) Fire up Utilities. Go to migration assistant. Chose 'From another Time machine back-up'. Open the 'Users' option that comes up next and from there select Pictures, then uncheck everything else like Applications etc (you don't want to do a full migration of everything) and click go.
If that doesn't work, take a deep breath and this step is rather complicated but it worked for me. First of all close iPhoto! Then go to new Finder window.
From the Finder window choose Pictures, then iPhoto library, press CMD and the letter i. It brings up a new window. Go to Sharing & permissions. From there select the padlock to unlock settings. and then select User account, then press the 'cog' icon next to +/- abd choose Apply to enclosed items.
This may take a while. Once completed, re-open iPhoto.
And that should (I stress should) cure it.
Good luck.

Hi, I've just downloaded Aperture 3.2 and transfered all my iPhoto Library but now when I use the Aperture program it runs at the slowest speed possible and is almost impossible to work with. It is constantly processing why is this?

Hi, I've just downloaded Aperture 3.2 and transfered all my iPhoto Library but now when I use the Aperture program it runs at the slowest speed possible and is almost impossible to work with. It is constantly processing why is this?

You can click on the text that says 'processing' in the main windows and it will open (toggle) the Activity Window, (can also be accessed via the Window menu -> Show Activity.
It will tell you what Aperture is doing with more precision and perhaps even how many photos it still needs to process. It is generally best to wait until all that processing is done before you start working with the photos (well it is best to first turn of options what you dont want to use, perhaps Faces or Previews and then let it process the new photos).

Want to break up iPhoto Library... BUT...

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