basic iphoto question

[sbb155]

I have about 20,000 pictures in a 60gb file on my mac's desktop.
I am going to use iphoto 09 for the first time
DoI copy all of the pictures in the "pictures" folder?
Do I just drag and drop them onto iphoto?
I want only one copy on the computer, I dont want to double the size of the used space by another 60gb, so how do i import pictures into iphoto and then delete the existing folder? Is that what I do?

 

[miles01110]

If you already have them arranged how you want them, go to iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced and make sure the box next to "Copy items to Library" (or whatever it says) is unchecked. Then just drag and drop.

If you want to copy them to your iPhoto library and then delete the originals that's fine too- dragging and dropping will work. Might want to do them in batches, 60GB would probably slow your machine down.

 

[iBookG4user]

If the settings are the same in iPhoto 08 and 09, then you go into preferences and click on the "Advanced" tab. Then from there you uncheck "Copy items to iPhoto Library". That way when you import your photos they will stay where they are and iPhoto will use their current location instead of copying them into a new location.

 

[sbb155]

OK, stupid clarification, sorry gentlemen
I want to have them in the library and not in tons of external files
so i presume i copy them to the library then delete my originals, correct?
is there any downside to this, as it seems like the way to go, so they are all in one place

 

[miles01110]

I want to have them in the library and not in tons of external files
so i presume i copy them to the library then delete my originals, correct?

Right.

is there any downside to this, as it seems like the way to go, so they are all in one place

They aren't as easy to find in Finder if you copy them to iPhoto's library.