Wich is best way to backup iPhoto library?

Hi everyone...
i want to know wich is the best way to backup all iPhoto library...
should I just copy everything that is in "iPhoto Library" folder to my extern hard drive? will i have any kind of problem if i want to restore my data?
thanks

sauble
A friend suggested I backup all the photos I already have in iPhoto before I start playing around any more
Good advice
Do I use a disc instead and burn them?
If you don't have a HD, this is the next option.
If I do that, are the photos still accessible if I want to use them again?
Yes. Depending on how you burn them: If you select all of them and go File -> Export and the burn them from the Finder, your pics will be backed up, but you will have to reimport them to iPhoto on restore.
If you use the Share->Burn feature within iPhoto it will preserve te he iPhoto library structure.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Best way to backup iphoto library to another computer

Hi,
I am looking for most efficent method to backup iphoto library from one iMac27(running Lion) to another iMac21(running Snow Leopard).
My iPhoto library is approx. 20GB. So I am also concerned with performance too.
Also, I only want to backup if iphoto library on iMac27 changes. There is no point to keep backing up all the time if the library has not changed.
I would also like to be able to schedule backup at certain time of the day. (Primarily overnight when I am not using the computer)
I have looked at Chronosync. It looks like it has the features I am looking for however I am concerned if it performs well.
What would you recommend for a solution to this process?
Thanks and I look forward to your reply.
...Bruce

Let me inform you of some things if I may.
A lot of people "run out of room" or want to make a backup and naturally look to their other machine as a source of space they are not utilizing, this isn't the best approach.
So let me inform you of your options.
1: You can backup your entire boot drive contents in a rotating in time fashion with Apple's built in TimeMachine, which only restores, it's not bootable. You use a external storage drive for this. Just hook it up and go.
2: You can make a hold option key bootable clone backup of your entire boot partition contents (not Lion Recovery Partition) in a permanent fashion that only changes if you change it or schedule it to change making a clone drive. Carbon Copy Cloner and you use a external drive for this. (best method as it's bootable in case your computer fails to boot normally)
3: You can manually or automatically use software that "syncs" the contents of two folders to a storage drive (even in either direction). SyncTwoFolders
What your asking to do is publish a shared folder on your network that resides on the Snow Leopard machine, you access it from the Lion machine over the Local Area Network and save your Lion iPhoto Library there using SyncTwoFolders like software.
You can do this, however it's not advised, first off network transfers are slow and cumbersome to setup and maintain. Second your taking up precious drive space on the other computers drive.
If this is what you want to do, then repeat your question again in a new topic, as my other machine is down and haven't done that in quite some time to remember the details exactly.
The larger picture I see is it appears to me you have no backup plan at all, and I think a separate storage drive for each computer, which if you hook it up to OS X, will ask to make a TimeMachine drive, will then do so, copying and backing up your entire drive so you have a constant backup of everything.
Also you should maintain a extra separate storage drive for each machine to keep a extra copy of your files in a permanent fashion, or to free up room on oyur boot drive, like what your trying to do with the other Mac.
With each computer with it's own backup, they are not so dependent with each other if your needs change for instance and the machines have to be separated.
The golden rule of backups is to maintain two seperate, easy accessible, hardware backup copies of your data at all times.
TimeMachine is ok and works mostly, but not if it gets messed up if your machine gets messed up, or if your TM drive mechanically or software fails without your knowledge. So maintaining a another copy of your data on a storage drive in a pernament fashion is also advised.
You can learn about TimeMachine here
http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html
And I've written a rather complicated advanced post here as a rough draft, but packed with information
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201
A bit much, but I hope that helps.

Best way to backup Iphoto and Itunes?

I just purchased a 2TB Timecapsule and after reading addtional reviews I am reconsidering my purchase. What is the best way to backup iphotos and itunes? The idea of backing up the data wirelessly and seamlessly with time machine was a what encouraged me to purchase Apples solution. However I am seeing alot of TC's are dying after their warranty expires which is a deal breaker as I have a newborn and do not want to lose pictures.
My 2009 MBP memory is nearly full and my photos eat memory. I would like a solution that allows me to access previous photos etc without relying on the MBP HD in the event it is stolen, crashes etc.
The same holds true for itunes which I rarely use now that I have Spotify, however I do not want to lose my itunes catelog in two years either, but it would be great to have them off my MBP HD, but readily accessible if necessary.
The literature on purchasing cloud storage is pretty scarce (Icloud!?, Amazon?)
Any insight is greatly appreciated, and I am sure I will have followup questions as I need to resolve this soon now that I have a 2 week window to return the TC.
Thank you!

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Presumably, the old iMac is pre-Firewire? If it is, it really would be very slow for backing up. You can use these methods to network the two machines on my FAQ:
http://www.macmaps.com/network9X.html

Best way to backup 30gb library to disk

Hey guys,
What is the best way to backup a 30gb library to disc? I'd like to burn my library to dvd's and store away from my house. Wasn't sure if you just create an album and burn to disc or what?
Thanks in advance!

As Patrick says I'm backing up the iPhoto Library in my Pictures Folder. This contains everything: Photos, albums, keywords, events etc.
The most simple way to do it is to simply drag the Library icon to the external HD. Let it copy over. However this can be tedious when you back up regularly, so I use a back up utility that does incremental back ups: That is the first time, it copies the entire library, thereafter it simply keeps the back up up-to-date with the Library. I use DejaVu for that. Chronosync is another app that will do it. There are many others. Search on MacUpdate.
FWIW my full back up schedule runs like this:
My Library lives on my iMac.
It’s Backed up to two external hard disks every day. These disks are permanently attached to the iMac. These back ups run automatically. One is done by Time Machine, one is a bootable back up done by SuperDuper
It’s also backed up to a portable hard disk when ever new photos are added. This hard disk lives in my car. For security, this disk is password protected. For this job I use DejaVu because it makes a simple back up that is clear and can be tested easily without doing an full restore.
I have a second off-site back up at a relative’s house across town. That’s updated every 3 or 4 months.
My Photos are backed up online. Personally I use SmugMug but there are many options including flickr. However, check the terms of your account carefully. While most sites have free uploading, you will often find that these uploads are limited in terms of the file size, or the bandwidth you can use per month. For access that allows you to upload full size pics with no restrictions you will need to pay.
Every couple of months I test the back ups to make sure they are working correctly. It’s very easy to mis-configure a back up application, and the only way to protect against that is to do a restore.
Regards
TD

Best way to change Iphoto library referenced across multiple external drives

Hello,
I am relatively new to mac and I think I've gotten myself into trouble with my large collection of photos. I have a single iphoto library which references photos on multiple external drives. However, iphoto is now very slow to launch and I believe this is due to the number of photos (~160k+, I think) in the library. How should I reconfigure my iphoto library for better performance? I would still prefer to have a single library if possible, am willing to have multiple if necessary.
Is the best approach to destroy my iphoto library and recreate multiple libraries, one for each drive with the libraries being located on the external drives with the photos? Any negatives to this? I am really worried about losing photos.
From searching the forums I believe I have an approach but I am uncertain if it is the best way. Is the best approach to destroy my iphoto library and recreate multiple libraries, one for each drive with the libraries being located on the external drives with the photos? Any negatives to this? I am really worried about losing photos.
The library itself is on the main hard drive while the photos are spread across 3 external drives, with some on the main drive as well. I have been manually importing the photos through finder, then adding them to iphoto. I am using Iphoto 11.
Any tips, pointers, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

1 - a referenced library is extremely problematic and is strongly not recommended - especially one spread accross several volumes
2 - iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can convert to a managed library - check the option to copy imported items to the iPhoto library and rebuil using IPLM
3 - this is likely to cure the slowness too
4 - multiple libraries are not necessary or desireable
5 - the only protection against losing photos is a great backup scheme - I run Time Machine giving me hourly backups and do a daily bootable clone giving a second backup - plus do an occasional off site backup
LN

What is the best way to backup iPhoto?

Is there some kind of wizard to do this or should I just manually back up my photos on a blank DVD?

Tim:
It depends on the type of backup you want to do. If you want to just backup your original files, then burn the Originals folder (or as much as you can get on one DVD disk and the rest on another) to DVD disks. If you want to preserve the iPhoto organization, keywords, slideshows, etc. then you will have to: 1 - burn the entire iPhoto Library to another media, a DVD disk if it's small enough or another hard drive via the FInder; 2 - burn abut 4G of selected rolls via the Share->Burn menu to a DVD disk and the remaining rolls to a second disk. That will give you disks that will be usable in iPhoto like this.
By far, IMO, the best way is to have an external drive (preferably FW) and copy the entire iPhoto Library folder to the external drive and then use an application like Synk to update that backup each day. The incremental backups take only a minute or less as only the added or changed files are copied.
Regardless of the method you choose you should consider the tip at the end of my signature. It addresses what is, IMO, the most likely problem you're liable to encounter using iPhoto.
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.

Best way to export iPhoto library?

Hey folks,
I was wondering what is the best way to export all the master/unedited images I have in my iPhoto 11' collection just to have it all in the Photos folder. I would like to start making the move to Lightroom 4 and give it a test drive. It would be nice to keep the organizational structure that I have going on now in iPhoto with my events. Can any one help? If Lightroom doesnt work out for me, I would want to make a referenced iPhoto Library and keep the images in the photos folder. Thanks for the help.

Have a look at my first post on this thread, which predates that export option in iPhoto, that pretty much deals with the issue with older versions. One of those options is free.
I'm just kind of irked by the idea that you should treat folders and files on your own computer as untouchable.
There are a couple of ways to look at this.
One: they're not at all untouchable. You have described perfectly how you might touch them. What we're saying is that touching them in that way may cause you dataloss, but if you want to do that, knock yourself out . But know the risks you're running. Look at it this way: there's no reason you have to use the doors on your car. You can jump through the sunroof, but don't be surprised if you hurt yourself on the gearstick.
Two: If you're the kind of person who really needs to visit with your files and folders for some reason, then run a referenced library. It makes for more work, adds zero extra capability and is likely to store up issues for the inexperienced user, but it's quite possible. For more about how, and the pitfalls:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0
Three: The bigger issue here is that you're going to have problems in the future. The files/folders metaphor is going away in computing now. Everything - even text editors - are becoming databases. The files are just dumb storage, the important part is the data - the actual photos. iPhoto is about the data, not the files. The Finder is about files.
These two user tips explain this is more detail:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4491
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
Regards
TD

Best way to transfer iPhoto library to a flash drive?

What is the best way to transfer my entire iPhoto library at once to a thumb drive? My Mac won't charge, I'm running on 11% battery, and I'm terrified of losing all of my photos! Please help!

Drag the entire library to a drive, partition, or disk image formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
(96368)

Best way to "split" iPhoto library?

Usually, at the beginning of the year I create a new, clean library for iPhoto. This helps me keep my library size managable. Well, this year I forgot to do it and now my iPhoto library contains pictures from 07 and 08. Is there an easy way to split my iPhoto library? How do I create a new library with my 08 pictures? There must be a way to do it. I know what events I want to move to a new library I'm just not sure how to go about doing it.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
iPhoto Library Manager will copy Events and well as Albums, for further information consult the Help on the app or contact the Developer.
I have an external network drive to store the libraries so I also want to experiment with sharing those libraries with my wife
Users have consistently reported problems when using a disk not formatted for OS X (such as a NAS) with iPhoto. These issues include problems sharing, problems saving changes and others. I would not recommend using iPhoto on any disk not formatted for OS X.
Regards
TD

Best way to transfer iphoto library to Picasa -- I've given up on iphoto

Iphoto just causes too many problems. All I ever do is import from my camera and things seem fine. I just checked the 357 pictures from NY that I have, and found it duped every one. I then saw an option called duplicate unders 'photos' so I assumed this would identify duplicates. I selected it, and now I have four of every picture.
I'm done.
Anyone know if Picasa will just import my iphoto library?

There's a Picasa help site here
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Picasa?hl=en
I then saw an option called duplicate unders 'photos' so I assumed this would identify duplicates. I selected it, and now I have four of every picture.
You can use Duplicate Annihilator to manage duplicates in iPhoto.
Regards
TD

Re: Best Way to Backup iTunes Library

Hello friends :
My iTunes music library is getting rather large and I feel it's time to "properly" back it up to an external hard drive.
I understand that you can back up your iTunes music folder to an external hard drive by the simple old "click and drag" approach using Windows Explorer.
What I'd like to know is ... after intially copying the entire iTunes music folder onto the external drive, how can I achieve regular back-ups where only the files, playlists, etc. that have changed since the last back up are then added to the external drive . . . rather than having to copy the entire rather large folder all over again (and again)?
Hopefully, you know what I mean! Thanks for your help.

see your other post.

I am trying to rebuild my iPhoto library and noticed my backup contains aliases (pointers?) and not the actual file. What's the best way to rebuild my library?

I am trying to rebuild my iPhoto library and noticed my backup contains aliases (pointers?) and not the actual file. What's the best way to rebuild my library?
Facts:
In moving to a new iMac, I copied the iPhoto library to an external HDD assuming that I would point the new iMac to the backed up iPhoto Library
All worked fine when I pointed the new library but noticed that some folders contained aliases and not the original file. So when I attempt to open that photo it can't find it because the alias is pointing to another drive.
I do have all original photos from a couple of external HDDs. In the folders titled, "Originals" (from older versions of iPhoto) and "Masters" (from current iPhoto)
I'm thinking I can create a new folder and drop the original files and make that my new iPhoto library. Is there a better way to rebuild my library? I do not want to create any future aliases.
Thanks in advance for any help!

do you have a strongly recommended default "managed" library (the iPhoto preference to "copy imported items to the iPhoto library is in its checked state) or a referenced library - you have unchecked that option?
It sounds like you have a referenced library and are now experiancing one of the very siginificant drawbacks of a referenced library and one of the many reasons they are strongly not recommended
Also note that iPhoto '11 may use alises in the originals folder as part of the upgrade
It is important that we understand exactly what you have and what is not sorking - what error messages you are getting
You must NEVER make any changes of any sort to the structure of content of the iPhoto library - there are no user servicable parts in it -- and you can not rebuild yoru librtary - only iPhoto ir iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can rebuild a library unless you are a SQL programmer and understand the structure that iPhoto uses
LN

Best way to network Iphoto

W#hat is the best way to network iphoto so that multiple libaries stay uptodatde and runn off the one coppy of photos.
I have a macmini as a file server and need to keep multiple libaries working on diffrent 9mac.

There is no way you can "sync" multiple libraries with a backup/syncing program. IMO the optimal way would be to have all of your Macs run the same library located on an external HD connected to the Mac Mini. Or you could partition the Mini's HD and have one partition for the library with the ownership set to be ignorned on it. However as Terence pointed out iPhoto is not a multi user application so only one user could use the library at a time. However, that would not prevent the other users from perusing the photos with an application likeiMedia Browser.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger 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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Best way to backup only originals?

Hi all,
I am wishing to determine the best way to backup just the original photos. iPhoto maintains so many other files in relation to the original that it is hard to determine what's what.
I assume that backing up the 'Originals' folder would do the trick, but I want to be sure as the images are important. I can afford to lose the modified ones, but I can't lose the originals.
Thanks for any advice.
Ed

What other files would I need to reflect rolls and albums?<<<</div>
I'm not 100% certain but I have an idea for you.
I don't do much modification in iPhoto; mostly rotating images.<<<</div>
This is part of the basis for my idea.
Mainly due to space and time constraints.<<<</div>
This is the other part.
From INSIDE iPhoto, select all photos in the library and do a "Revert to original." That will empty your "Modified" folder while retaining everything necessary for rolls, albums, ratings, etc. Now, exit iPhoto and back up the ENTIRE "iPhoto Library Folder." By far the bulk of the bytes will be the original files. The remainder will be all the "support" files.

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

Wich is best way to backup iPhoto library?

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