Mp3 files in FINDER doesn't show COVER ART

[GGJstudios]

Quitting iTunes and then deleting this cache, even with the earlier versions that are unaffected, will result in no previews of any kind while in the Finder.

I wrote this from the viewpoint of someone who manually embeds the artwork in each file,

I tried this.

1. I quit iTunes.
2. I deleted the iTunes/Album Artwork/Cache folder
3. I opened Finder and browsed my mp3 library.

All the artwork displayed properly in the icons. None was missing. I, too, manually add album artwork with iTunes.

 

[TheIntruder]

I tried this.

1. I quit iTunes.
2. I deleted the iTunes/Album Artwork/Cache folder
3. I opened Finder and browsed my mp3 library.

All the artwork displayed properly in the icons. None was missing. I, too, manually add album artwork with iTunes.

Which version of iTunes and OS are you running?

I reverted back to 9.03 and since it doesn't have the bug, I can't quite duplicate the testing I did with 9.2 any longer.

Oh, I also forgot to point out that I manually manage my media files; I don't let iTunes move and/or copy them into it's own private structure.

In 9.0x with 10.5, it acts like you describe. Deleting the cache doesn't affect the thumbnails, as long as the files are indexed and part of iTunes' library. I have a whole other batch of files on the same drive that aren't included in iTunes' library that don't display any thumbnails at all. At least under this scenario, the Finder is still fetching the artwork from some part of iTunes' database.

When I encountered the problem with 9.2, I repeatedly deleted the artwork cache, as well as removing the files from the library in different permutations. Each attempt would result in a different combination of missing artwork; most of the album folders had at least one or two missing thumbnails.

I'm no software engineer, so I could be wrong about the cache being the source. Or perhaps the behavior changed in 9.2. But I still feel pretty certain that wherever the Finder is fetching the thumbnails from is tied to the iTunes database and/or cache, and not from the files' metadata, which thankfully is safe.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I manually manage my media files; I don't let iTunes' move and/or copy them into its private folder structure.

 

[GGJstudios]

Which version of iTunes and OS are you running?

Mac OS X 10.5.8 and iTunes 9.2

Oh, I also forgot to point out that I manually manage my media files; I don't let iTunes move and/or copy them into it's own private structure.

Same here. I've tried many ways to reproduce the problem that others are having and no matter what I do, the artwork always shows in Finder. I don't believe Finder cares if iTunes is even installed. Finder gets the artwork from the file itself.

 

[austinpowers]

Mac OS X 10.5.8 and iTunes 9.2


Same here. I've tried many ways to reproduce the problem that others are having and no matter what I do, the artwork always shows in Finder. I don't believe Finder cares if iTunes is even installed. Finder gets the artwork from the file itself.

That's why I didn't feel iTunes was the problem. I also manage my mp3s manually. I perform tagging (including addition of album art) with Jaikoz, and don't send these files to the iTunes library. So I assumed Finder was reading the metadata from the mp3 itself since I would always see a nice cover art as icon for each mp3 properly tagged. When using the quick view function, the cover art would also display in addition to other track/album/artist info I'd entered. I couldn't think of a reason iTunes would be in the equation, and wonder if this is something in the way Finder and Quick View retrieve the data from the file itself. I'm hoping we find a fairly simple resolution, and am appreciative of the efforts of smarter users than myself.

 

[KnighsTalker]

Missing icon previews for music files

It's got to be iTunes 9.2 corrupting the system! I had delayed updating to 9.2 but had updated 10.6.4. Everything worked fine until I updated to 9.2 about 4 days ago. At first only newly added music files would not display the icon preview. I then cleaned my caches with Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner to try and resolve the issue. BIG mistake! When I rebooted after a deep cleaning of all caches, ALL music icon previews were lost except oddly enough the ones in ~Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music Folder. However if I were to Add to Library a new music file without album art and then create a mp3/aac version (Which has returned as a menu item in 9.2 when you control/left click on a music item in iTunes by the way) and then add album art, the icon preview will not be displayed. Even if you create a mp3/aac version of a file with album art the icon preview will not be displayed. This includes creating a mp3/aac version of music files that the icon preview is displayed already!

I've reverted back to 9.1.1 (Which was a challenge in itself) and tried the above recommendation of deleting the cache file in the iTunes Album Artwork file. This did not work for me. I'm thinking about doing another deep cleaning of my caches to see if and when the desktop rebuilds after reboot, the preview icons return.

By the way I have Parallels loaded with version 8 of itunes. If I drag a music item to the Parallels desktop (Which creates a music file with a preview icon) and then drag it to the Mac desktop, the preview icon does not display!

 

[TheIntruder]

Reverting to 9.1.1 didn't work for me, but 9.03 did.

I messed around some more with four sets of files, both MP3 and AAC, ripped by iTunes and XLD, but finally came to the conclusion that there are too many permutations of Finder views to devote much more energy to understand what's going on.

In List View, which I use most, certain actions would cause the thumbnails to appear or disappear, including putting them inside a folder that is exempt from Spotlight indexing.

However, in Icon View, the thumbnails would show up no problem, both in and out of the non-Spotlit folder.

The Column and Cover View options had mixed results.

In any case, since Apple isn't paying me to do QA, I'll just let it be and hope that they fix it soon, among the myriad other problems associated with 9.2.

 

[Hal Itosis]

In any case, since Apple isn't paying me to do QA, I'll just let it be and hope that they fix it soon, among the myriad other problems associated with 9.2.

How is anything discussed in this thread an "iTunes" problem? The title clearly says (in all caps): FINDER

And someone needs to point out the biggest fallacy here: using Finder to manipulate (or even just "browse") the iTunes database is dumb. The *entire purpose* of iTunes.app is to abstract away the very notion of any "filesystem"... and permit all management tasks to be done from within the iTunes application itself.

What possible good is dorking around in Finder? If you move anything or rename anything, iTunes won't know about it. [<--read that again.] It's akin to mucking about Time Machine's Backups.backupd database in Finder... only worse. Any changes we make with Finder will not be seen by iTunes (unless we force it to notice them later). The proper place to do "file" arrangements (or deletions, etc) is from within the iTunes application itself. That is the principal principle behind its very design. It is our music browser/file manager.

As i read through these posts i'm only mildly curious to know if my own Finder icons are showing album artwork. But honestly, i haven't poked around down there in years, so i can't even say as yet. And granted, Spotlight may be handy at times... but smart playlists make for pretty useful search tools as well. That's right: playlists are not limited to only gathering items for "playing". [creative use of the Grouping tag can produce almost endless ways of contriving search criteria.]

I really wish you folks luck... but the whole affair is time misspent IMHO. Users who feel this is a real "problem" are simply misunderstanding how to most efficiently operate iTunes. [there may indeed be stuff in 9.2 which needs fixing, but this simply isn't one of them.]

 

[KnighsTalker]

I really wish you folks luck... but the whole affair is time misspent IMHO. Users who feel this is a real "problem" are simply misunderstanding how to most efficiently operate iTunes. [there may indeed be stuff in 9.2 which needs fixing, but this simply isn't one of them.]

Well now... Some of us actually chose the Macintosh oh let's say back in 1984 because of it's "graphical" interface. As time moved on, the elegance and sophistication of said "graphical" interface became more refined. Therefore when a person becomes accustomed to a certain standard of excellence, it becomes irksome if not downright irritating when something does not work like it's suppose to! So when the finder is corrupted because of a program operating errantly, it needs to be fixed... period. Even if it is a trivial point to those of us who are use too an operating system that constantly crashes, freezes and performs erratically, some of us expect better because we know better!

I apologize for the rant. I tell you though some people's kids and their "hooptie" OS ways!!!

But I digress. I originally was prepared to report to you about my experiment with reverting back to iTunes 9.1.1. This was until I read the previous post. Please, don't let me say how I really feel! With that said, this is what I've done and found.

When I last left you, I was going to deep clean my caches again now that 9.1.1 has been installed. Well, it worked... Sort of. After some trial and error, I was able to recover and see all the preview icons. The option/left click for a quick look of the recovered files work as well. Also all view options are restored. HOWEVER, the downside is that any music file that is new, edited, removed from the iTunes library or copied from the Parallels desktop after this has been done will not display it's preview icon. Of course except for removing a music file from the iTunes library if I deep clean the caches again, they will reappear again after reboot.

So now I'm pondering whether or not to try and reload OS 10.6.4! Before I do though, I think I'll try a few things like reseting the permissions and what not. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Jolly Jimmy]

How is anything discussed in this thread an "iTunes" problem? The title clearly says (in all caps): FINDER

And someone needs to point out the biggest fallacy here: using Finder to manipulate (or even just "browse") the iTunes database is dumb. The *entire purpose* of iTunes.app is to abstract away the very notion of any "filesystem"... and permit all management tasks to be done from within the iTunes application itself.
]

The problem manifests itself through the finder, but clearly iTunes is the source as the issues occur directly after installing 9.2, (valid for both Leopard and Snow Leopard) Also, has it not occured to you that people may have other uses for their files than just listening to them with iTunes?

 

[GGJstudios]

I'll toss one more ingredient into this cauldron of confusion. I occasionally have need to edit album art (trimming edges, enhancing contrast, etc.) or simply pull a copy of the artwork as a jpg. I Get Info on a single song, go to the Artwork tab, and drag the artwork to the Desktop, creating a copy.

In earlier versions of iTunes, when I would do that, the file that was automatically created on the Desktop was not a .jpg or .png or any other standard image file. I don't recall the extension, but when I would double-click to open it, it would open in Finder, rather than Preview. In fact, Preview wouldn't open the file. I had to copy it and paste it into another document like Word, then save it as a picture before I could manipulate it with Preview.

Starting with version 9.2, the Desktop copy created is now a .png or .jpg, allowing me to go directly with Preview to edit.

And someone needs to point out the biggest fallacy here: using Finder to manipulate (or even just "browse") the iTunes database is dumb.

I manage my iTunes files, rather than letting iTunes do that for me, and I've been doing that long before I started using iTunes. It's not "dumb", since my file/folder organization is much more efficient than the iTunes method. Just because you prefer to let iTunes manage your files doesn't render other methods any less viable.

If you move anything or rename anything, iTunes won't know about it. [<--read that again.]

Actually, it will. [<--read that again.] The iTunes Summary tab in "Get Info" shows the file name and location, and the "Show in Finder" option clearly relies on the location in Finder. If you change the file's location or name, the change is reflected on the Summary tab. If you move a file to an external drive and then remove that drive, iTunes knows where the file should be and indicates that it can't be found. So iTunes is well "aware" of changes to files made through Finder.

The proper place to do "file" arrangements (or deletions, etc) is from within the iTunes application itself.

There is no such thing as the "proper" place for this. For example, if you check out Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes, you'll see file and name management scripts for populating iTunes tag information from filenames, and vice versa. It's a matter of personal preference.

I really wish you folks luck... but the whole affair is time misspent IMHO.

... like the time you "misspent" by posting this?

Users who feel this is a real "problem" are simply misunderstanding how to most efficiently operate iTunes

While this isn't a major problem (doesn't cause crashes or corrupt data), it's a mistake to assume that those who are curious about what causes this don't know how to efficiently use iTunes.

 

[Riddelske]

missing preview icons in finder

Hi fellow Mac Users,

Im new to this site and only stumbled across this problem with preview files today......and brought me here. Im not an advance user of the Mac so please feel free for any comments you may have for me 🙂

Im currently using OS X 10.6.2 with itunes 9.2

i recently installed a previous itunes library from another mac, when i done this it said this is a newer version, so i updated the itunes 9.2....after this i then re tried. When imported i had back my old library.

I then decided to import a new CD....got the artwork using itunes, autothingy majig..then looked in finder for the files and there you have it no pictures ?? but the other 6k songs did.....so my ocd came into play and wanted the pics there.......

so on here i came.....

i found a temp solution....but may not work for some...

1.open itunes
2.find track or album of missing pic
3.then highlight one track, right click, get info
4.copy artwork
5.then on album view, right click album, delete downloaded artwork.
6.go back into the album...(should have no pic now)
7.select get info on one track ( preferably the 1st one)
8.goto artwork tab and paste the artwork.....do this for all tracks one at a time..

hope this works for you, it did me 🙂

 

[Hal Itosis]

Actually, it will. [<--read that again.] The iTunes Summary tab in "Get Info" shows the file name and location, and the "Show in Finder" option clearly relies on the location in Finder. If you change the file's location or name, the change is reflected on the Summary tab. If you move a file to an external drive and then remove that drive, iTunes knows where the file should be and indicates that it can't be found. So iTunes is well "aware" of changes to files made through Finder.

While iTunes may have improved in this regard, it's not intended to function as such. The huge number of people posting about exclamation marks (!) and iTunes saying it "can't locate the file" are a matter of record. Yes, there are a few tricks we can do to help it locate the file... but it's all extra work which seldom serves much purpose. [having said that, i do force my classical music into a different area than iTunes initially puts it... but that's pretty rare.]

I manage my iTunes files, rather than letting iTunes do that for me, and I've been doing that long before I started using iTunes. It's not "dumb", since my file/folder organization is much more efficient than the iTunes method. Just because you prefer to let iTunes manage your files doesn't render other methods any less viable.

For the record: in my iTunes (Advanced) prefs, the checkbox for "Keep iTunes Music (or Media) folder organized" is unchecked. [i.e., i have always had that feature disabled.] But doing so doesn't necessarily mean we have to go down into Finder and constantly keep house either.

... like the time you "misspent" by posting this?

Just because a handful of members didn't find any useful info in my post doesn't mean none of the other thousands of readers (present and future) won't.

The beauty of iTunes is that it can take a totally disorganized mess of files (which could be scattered across various disks btw) and present them —within the application itself —in an organized manner. It does that work so we don't need to.

 

[TheIntruder]

Just because a handful of members didn't find any useful info in my post doesn't mean none of the other thousands of readers (present and future) won't.

The beauty of iTunes is that it can take a totally disorganized mess of files (which could be scattered across various disks btw) and present them —within the application itself —in an organized manner. It does that work so we don't need to.

Only one user in this thread has declared their aversion to using iTunes as an organizational tool, yet you go off on a useless rant that is tangential to the topic, quoting my post and passing judgment on how others use their time, which is neither relevant nor welcome. For the record, I do use iTunes to catalog my music.

Your comments aren't germane to the discussion and of no use to any current or future reader of this topic.

It is not about organizational techniques, but about a cosmetic glitch introduced with iTunes 9.2 and how it interacts with the files it catalogs, and presents to the Finder. If Apple, known for providing niceties and other cosmetic flourishes in their product, is going to include such a feature, it damned well better work properly, whether one personally finds it useful or not.

If you have nothing to contribute, then please stay away.

 

[KnighsTalker]

If you have nothing to contribute, then please stay away.

😀😀😀 LMFAO 😀😀😀

Here's what other sites are reporting:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2467710
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2464851&start=0&tstart=0
http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/10/06/21/itunes.store.videos.unable.to.play/

 

[Robin Chung]

I haven't read the whole thread. Honestly it was too long. Anyway itunes keeps the music with covers in a separate place, which is located here:

Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music

It's mapped by artist, which frankly can be quite annoying.

 

[GGJstudios]

I haven't read the whole thread. Honestly it was too long. Anyway itunes keeps the music with covers in a separate place, which is located here:

Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music

It's mapped by artist, which frankly can be quite annoying.

Not if the artwork is manually added. Reading the thread would help.

 

[sashakla]

I had this problem in the past, but found an easy and reliable solution. Download this script and follow instructions to install it properly: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=embedart
Once it's installed, select your entire music library (or whatever part/selection of it you want to "fix") and run the script.
Ever since I installed the script, I run it on all new additions to the library and it hasn't disappointed me even once. I just add the artwork via iTunes and then run the script after selecting all the new files.
Disclaimer: I do NOT think I had a chance to test it with iTunes 9.2 just yet.
Hope it helps.

 

[GGJstudios]

I had this problem in the past, but found an easy and reliable solution. Download this script and follow instructions to install it properly: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=embedart

That script only embeds artwork in the files, the same as manually adding it. It has nothing to do with the Finder issue being discussed in this thread. Please read the thread before posting irrelevant information.

 

[KnighsTalker]

This is what's being reported at Apple.com > Support > Discussions:

Re: MP3 icon no longer displays artwork in finder

Good afternoon everyone,

I received an update today from Developer Support. The good news is this issue is known and widely reported to Apple Engineering. It is currently being investigated under Bug ID# 8116422. I think we are one step closer to a fix.

 

[KnighsTalker]

Update

Apple still has not addressed this issue (PROBLEM). In fact they as usual have not even acknowledged the issue/problem publicly except for a handful of people. After posting a humorous message on their forums site to see if they were even paying attention, it was deleted. Below is a reprint of the email they sent to me after they deleted it:



Dear Marc (Knighstalker),

Apple removed your post on Apple Discussions titled "Re: MP3 icon no longer displays artwork in finder" because it contained the following:

Non-constructive rants or complaints

We are including a copy of your post at the end of this email for your reference.

Our terms of use, which include helpful information about using Apple Discussions, is located here: http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa We encourage you to continue using the Apple Discussions while abiding by our terms of use.

Kind regards,
Apple Discussions staff

----------

A copy of your message for reference:

I think Apple is F'ing with people who are getting their music from sources other than iTunes. Smells like a lawsuit to me. Yeah that's it. Sue Apple in court! Let see is if Apple's bots pick up on those key words. LMFAO!!!

++++++++++

This message is sent from a send-only email account. Any replies sent to this address are deleted automatically by the system.



I guess I got either their or their bots attention!

 

[GGJstudios]

Apple still has not addressed this issue

Apple isn't to blame because you chose to post an inflammatory rant. Finding how they respond to a more mature post would be more revealing.

 

[KnighsTalker]

Apple isn't to blame because you chose to post an inflammatory rant. Finding how they respond to a more mature post would be more revealing.

This may be true however they are to blame for once again either not or slowly addressing or even acknowledging their increasingly inept hardware and software updates! I and others have posted several other "constructive" messages there that they never responded to. It could be said by their lack of response is indeed very "revealing" of how they respond. The mere fact that the post was deleted shows that it caught someone's or something's attention. That was the true intention of the email itself. In short it F'ing worked buddy.

 

[GGJstudios]

The mere fact that the post was deleted shows that it caught someone's or something's attention.

No, the mere fact that the post was deleted shows that you violated their forum rules. Nothing more.

 

[KnighsTalker]

No, the mere fact that the post was deleted shows that you violated their forum rules. Nothing more.

Yeah but the point is it caught their attention. They have "violated" us with their BS. My invasive email was specifically written to catch their attention. To that end it did. As far as I can discern, it's about the only response anybody has received so far. They hardly ever respond to any posts "mature" or not!

 

[GGJstudios]

..They have "violated" us with their BS...

That's your opinion, as not everyone has the same issue that you're complaining about.