iphoto - how to combine libraries from 2 computers

craftymacgirl

Hi there. I have been using an older version of iphoto on my G5 imac (1000+ pictures) and started a new version of iphoto on my ibook (400+ pictures). I want to merge the two iphoto libraries (1400+ pics) onto my ibook but can't seem to figure out how.



I held down the "T" at restart on the G5 to get it to show up as an external drive. That worked fine. Then I opened my G5 HD and clicked users>photos> and moved all the folders with pictures in it into the users>photos> on my ibook - but when I open iphoto on the ibook, I only see what was there before. I checked again and see the folders there with all the images inside various folders, but again they are not actually in the library on my ibook when I open iphoto. I don't care about all the albums I created on my older iphoto on the G5 - I just want the images on my ibook in some form or fashion. Should I just burn em to a disk and import them that way?



I tried to just OPEN the G5 version if iphoto onto my ibook but it would not allow me since it's a different version that what the ibook is running so it quit.



Please tell me there is an easier way then having to go into each FOLDER to import.



TIA!

jbl

Quote:

Originally posted by craftymacgirl

Should I just burn em to a disk and import them that way?

You could do that, or you could export all of the images in one library to a folder someplace and then import them to the other library. I too have been looking for a better way but I have been told that those are my choices.

Hopefully someone else will reply with a more cleaver solution.

mikef

Unfortunately, neither of those methods retains the groups, comments, original photos (vs. modified), etc.



This appears to be a major failing in iPhoto.



I am going to try and write an app that will work directly with the library XML file and see what happens... I need the ability to keep two iPhoto libraries sync'd.

jbl

Quote:

Originally posted by mikef

I need the ability to keep two iPhoto libraries sync'd.

I have been thinking about this. Will it work to use some sync program like Synchronize Pro? I suppose one would have to be careful not to use both libaries between syncing or the XML files would get really messed up. I would definitely be interested in such a syncronization program if you get it written!

mikef

Quote:

Originally posted by JBL

I have been thinking about this. Will it work to use some sync program like Synchronize Pro? I suppose one would have to be careful not to use both libaries between syncing or the XML files would get really messed up. I would definitely be interested in such a syncronization program if you get it written!

It would be possible (perhaps using rsync) to keep two libraries synchronized if it was guaranteed that only one library was modified at a time. Unidirectional sync is easy, multi-directional is a little trickier.



I'm going to put some more thought into this. To me, it seems like this is an application that people might want (ie. sync your iPhoto library on your Powerbook with your desktop Mac).

gon

I was faced with a much simpler, but similar problem earlier. I had backupped my iPhoto Library directory, and wanted to slam it on my new computer and get to work. I started iPhoto, quit, and replaced the newly created iPhoto Library with my old one. I saw an empty library. After trying various combinations of deleting plist files, etc., I called Applecare since I was inside 30 days... they could only suggest the "backup on CD" operation, which was impossible, since I didn't have the old computer anymore.. and of course all metadata would be lost even if I could do it.



I went on to manually extract the photos from the Library. My impression now is iPhoto is amateurish and no good whatsoever for storage, since the screwed library system makes backup and things like joining libraries impossible. I only use it for importing, and use directory structure for organization. If I didn't get this problem I would probably have bought iLife '05 just for iPhoto. \

craftymacgirl

Yeah, I think iphoto needs to work on a simple import of albums and it should "FIND PHOTOS' on the computer like itunes finds music.

mikef

On the upside, the iPhoto library database is nothing more than a standard XML file. Essentially, that means all one needs to do is create an app that 'speaks' XML and lets users do things that iPhoto does not allow (ie. merge and/or sync two libraries, etc). I've done a little work with XML in the past and this doesn't seem overly difficult at first glance.



I can make this happen...

craftymacgirl

You lost me with the XML - I mean, what you say makes sense but I havent a clue as to how to get that to happen w/out having you over to do it :0)

mikef

When I get some spare time (read- next week), I'll start investigating the feasibility of writing this app.If my hunch is correct, I can write an app that will manage the iPhoto database.

craftymacgirl

Okie Dokie - meanwhile I will probably burn the images to a disk and just import them that way.

mikef

That is probably the easiest way for the time being.

brian green

Quote:

Originally posted by mikef

It would be possible (perhaps using rsync) to keep two libraries synchronized if it was guaranteed that only one library was modified at a time. Unidirectional sync is easy, multi-directional is a little trickier.



I'm going to put some more thought into this. To me, it seems like this is an application that people might want (ie. sync your iPhoto library on your Powerbook with your desktop Mac).

mikef, if you can write such a program, I'm sure there are people like me that are very interested in floating some bills your way to show our appreciation for your helping us out. I've wanted to be able to syncronize the pics on my iMac and my PB for quite a while now but nothing ever seemed to work.

mikef

I am honestly glad to hear that!



Hopefully I will get a chance this coming week to put some serious effort into it.



I am not sure why such an application doesn't already exist, which is kind of a hint to me there's a limitation that I am not seeing.

troberts

http://homepage.mac.com/bwebster/iph...rymanager.html



The link above will take you to Brian Webster's website where you can download his iPhoto Library Manager application. His program saved my library and is well worth the $20.00 I paid for it.



Features



1 - Create new libraries, and keep track of any number of libraries on your machine

2 - Switch between libraries, either through the main window or the dock menu

3 - See what albums are in each of your libraries

4 - Get information your libraries, such as their version, modification date, and size

5 - View and change the permissions of your libraries, handy for sharing libraries between users

6 - Extract the photos from a library, even if the library is corrupted

7 - Create shortcut files, letting you open your libraries directly from the Finder (registered users only)

8 - Copy photos from one library to another, preserving metadata such as names, dates, ratings, comments (limit 20 photos for unregistered users, requires iPhoto 4.0.3 or greater)

9 - Merge two or more libraries together, preserving all photo metadata and roll organization (registered users only, requires iPhoto 4.0.3 or greater)



Brian also sells a property list editor called "PlistEdit Pro" if you need one.

brian green

As nice as the iPhoto Library Manager sounds, I think it's not intended for people that just want to sync their libraries. I'm not looking for any additional functionality. I just want to click a button and I want my libraries to be identical on my PowerBook and my iMac. I don't want to make settings adjustments, I just want them identical. Sometimes it's the simplicity of how something works that makes an app impressive. I'm looking forward to what mikef comes up with.

mikef

Minor update...



I still trying to reverse engineer the binary library file format. I am not an experienced Cocoa programmer so it's been slow going.



I haven't given up, but I haven't made much progress either.

brian green

mikef, well it's good to see that you haven't given up on it all together. Good things come to those who wait, as they say.

djd

So... a year or two goes by and this happens to be exactly what I'm looking for...



Question is... has anyone created it yet?