Move iPhoto Library to External HD?

ShaggyLR · Jul 31, 2006, 02:09 PM

I'm seriously running out of HD space on my computer (down to under 1gb). Most of the space is currently taken up with photos, as I've moved my iTunes library to an External HD. Is there anyway to move the photos onto an external HD and have iPhoto know where to find them? Or does it HAVE to be on the local drive?

I could of course back up the photos elsewhere in case the drive fails at some point.

Thanks!

Dave

Super Macho Man · Jul 31, 2006, 02:22 PM

You can move them wherever you like. I would recommand a program like iPhoto Buddy or iPhoto Library Manager.

ChrisBrightwell · Jul 31, 2006, 02:27 PM

No need for a support app.

Just move the library folder to the external drive, delete the original, create an alias to that folder in its new location, drop that alias in your "Pictures" folder (where the "iPhoto Library" folder used to be), and rename it to match the old folder name (usually just removing "alias" from its name).

This creates a symlink to the folder in its new location and iPhoto is none the wiser.

ShaggyLR · Jul 31, 2006, 02:52 PM

Excellent. Never occurred to me, yet so simple.

Thanks!

Le Big Mac · Jul 31, 2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaggyLR

Excellent. Never occurred to me, yet so simple.

Thanks!

If you go to Apple's support site, it explains this.

I did it, and it seems to work without a problem. I have not yet deleted the original photos folder. I want to wait a little longer before ditching that, to make absolutely sure it's pointing to the right one, and I won't lose all those photos.

misterellis · Aug 1, 2006, 02:31 AM

You can also click on Option - iPhoto and a box will appear asking you to create or choose a library. If you click on Choose, you then click on the external HD library from the list that appears and, voila, iPhoto opens and links to that one from then on (unless you do another Option-iPhoto to create/choose another library).

Jul 31, 2006, 02:09 PM	#1
ShaggyLR macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montreal	Move iPhoto Library to External HD? I'm seriously running out of HD space on my computer (down to under 1gb). Most of the space is currently taken up with photos, as I've moved my iTunes library to an External HD. Is there anyway to move the photos onto an external HD and have iPhoto know where to find them? Or does it HAVE to be on the local drive? I could of course back up the photos elsewhere in case the drive fails at some point. Thanks! Dave __________________ iBook G4 12" 1Ghz/768megs of RAM. iPod Video 30gb

Jul 31, 2006, 02:27 PM	#3
ChrisBrightwell macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL	No need for a support app. Just move the library folder to the external drive, delete the original, create an alias to that folder in its new location, drop that alias in your "Pictures" folder (where the "iPhoto Library" folder used to be), and rename it to match the old folder name (usually just removing "alias" from its name). This creates a symlink to the folder in its new location and iPhoto is none the wiser. __________________ "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." 15" MacBook Pro (2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD) Canon 50D (10-22, 24-70, 50/1.4, 70-200/2.8)

Jul 31, 2006, 02:52 PM	#4
ShaggyLR Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montreal	Excellent. Never occurred to me, yet so simple. Thanks! __________________ iBook G4 12" 1Ghz/768megs of RAM. iPod Video 30gb

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Jul 31, 2006, 02:22 PM	#2
Super Macho Man macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hollywood, CA	You can move them wherever you like. I would recommand a program like iPhoto Buddy or iPhoto Library Manager.

Aug 1, 2006, 02:31 AM	#6
misterellis macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2006	You can also click on Option - iPhoto and a box will appear asking you to create or choose a library. If you click on Choose, you then click on the external HD library from the list that appears and, voila, iPhoto opens and links to that one from then on (unless you do another Option-iPhoto to create/choose another library).