iPhoto Library

[rayjay86]

Hi guys,

new to iPhoto. Just a quick question:

I've always had my photos in separate folders before. Once I import them into iPhoto will I be able to delete the folders where the individual pictures files are?
How do I get iPhoto to just import all the original files into its master iPhoto library file so that I can delete the individual folders/files that I have now?

e.g. I have a folder with 20 photos in it form a vacation. once I import that folder into iPhoto I want to have iPhoto make copies of those pictures and categorize/index/store them however it does so that I can then delete the original folder with the 20 photos in it.

Cheers

 

[igucl]

I have found the Help section included with iPhoto to be very informative on these types of questions.

May I suggest taking a minute to peruse those Help files? You'll probably find answers to all your questions. They are nicely searchable, too.

 

[Elzander]

Hey,
Once a photo is imported to iPhoto it is copied into the seperare iphoto library, it is then safe to delete your original file! Hope that helps!

 

[snberk103]

I have found the Help section included with iPhoto to be very informative on these types of questions.

May I suggest taking a minute to peruse those Help files? You'll probably find answers to all your questions. They are nicely searchable, too.

If memory serves, you want to read up on "Library Overview" and go from there.

Hey,
Once a photo is imported to iPhoto it is copied into the seperare iphoto library, it is then safe to delete your original file! Hope that helps!

Before you start the import/deletion process make sure you have a good backup of your photos... just as insurance. An external HDD that you can tuck safely away afterwards will do the trick nicely.

If you photos are organized theme/topic in your folders I would suggest importing them one folder at a time - takes more time initially - but allows you keyword effectively as you go, which is one of iPhoto's strengths.

Luck.

 

[Dave Braine]

From iPhoto Help search on "import"

Using advanced options when importing from a hard disk
By default, iPhoto copies photos imported from your hard disk, leaving the originals in their original location and making duplicates for use in the iPhoto library.
However, if you already have an extensive collection of photos saved on your computer and you prefer to leave your photos in their current file structure, you can choose to have iPhoto point to your original photo files instead of copying them in iPhoto. Either way, you can still make full use of iPhoto.
To set advanced options for photos imported from your hard disk:

Choose iPhoto > Preferences
Click Advanced.
Select or deselect “Copy items to the iPhoto Library.”
Deselecting this option means that iPhoto will not duplicate photos when importing them into the application, but will leave them in their original files on your computer. When you edit these images in iPhoto, however, the edited versions will be saved in the iPhoto library, not your original files. Your original files remain untouched.
If you selected “Copy items,” select or deselect “Embed ColorSync profile.”
If you select this option, the profile assigned will usually be “cameraRGB,” an Apple-specific version of the commonly used sRGB, which allows image colors to map more closely to Apple monitors. If your image file settings specify the use of Adobe RGB, iPhoto assigns that profile. If another color profile is already embedded, iPhoto uses the profile provided.
If you deselect this option, your photo is imported exactly as it is.
At the top of the Preferences window, click Events.
Select the “Imported items from Finder” checkbox if you want iPhoto to autosplit imports from your hard disk (or other sources besides a digital camera) into Events based on the dates the photos were taken.
If you don’t want iPhoto to autosplit these imports, deselect the checkbox.
To specify the time frame that constitutes an Event, select an option from the “Autosplit into Events.” You can choose one Event per day or per week, or specify two-hour or eight-hour gaps. The hour-based gaps are useful if you photograph more than one Event in a single day.

 

[flynz4]

Hey,
Once a photo is imported to iPhoto it is copied into the seperare iphoto library, it is then safe to delete your original file! Hope that helps!

This is not necessarily true... although I *THINK* it is true by default. It depends upon your iPhoto settings.

/Jim

 

[Elzander]

This is not necessarily true... although I *THINK* it is true by default. It depends upon your iPhoto settings.

/Jim

Oh ok well i haven't fiddled with my settings so if you haven't then it should be fine you can check by right clicking on your iPhoto library icon and clicking show package contents - if your photos have been copied they'll be somewhere in there...