Why can't iPhoto '11 detect photos in my iPhoto library?

Question

I recently updated an old version of iPhoto to iPhoto '11, version 9.5.
Now, when I open it, it's empty. No photos. No events. It looks brand new. Before installing this upgrade, I had a small, 64GB library of photos I stored in iPhoto.
So, I set about restoring my iPhoto library from TimeMachine by going in to Finder, finding my iPhoto library, then clicking on TimeMachine, and then once I found the library I wanted, I hit restore. (I think this was the right way to restore the library). I was then asked if I wanted to use "both" libraries or "replace." I clicked "replace."
So far, so (seemingly) good. When I look at the newly restored iPhoto Library via Finder, I can see it's now 64GB (perfect), and when I right click "show package contents" I can see all my pictures there. Great. But when I open iPhoto -- while holding down the ALT or Option key to make sure I'm opening up the right library -- still no photos.
I also tried iPhoto Library Manager, but it too tells me there are no photos in my 64GB iPhoto library. 
How can I restore the photos/library to I can see them in iPhoto? I'm tempted to open finder and track them down and copy/paste them over, but have heard it's dangerous to tinker with the library.
Can anyone help?

Answer 1

If you can't find a working library in your Time Machine backups you'll need to take this approach:
Starting over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Open the library package like this.
2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
3. Drag the subfolders of the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window a few at a time.
This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
Note:  your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT