Multiple iPhoto Libraries

For the past few days I’ve been transfering information from my old iMac G4 to my PowerBook G4 laptop. Everything went smoothly until it came time to transfer my iPhoto images over.

Normally this is pretty simple but what I wanted to do was merge the Library of one computer in with the one on my laptop.

To be honest, I couldn’t figure out how to do it (if you know please let me know how). However, I did figure out how to have multiple iPhoto Libraries and how to switch back and forth between them.

I’m mostly posting this here so I won’t forget how to do this later, but for those of you that use iPhoto - you might like this.

Moving the iPhoto Library folder to a new location

The iPhoto Library folder, located in your Pictures folder, contains photos you have imported into your photo library and any albums you’ve created using iPhoto.

IMPORTANT: If you move, delete, rename, or otherwise tamper with files or folders in the iPhoto Library folder, you may be unable to see your pictures in iPhoto.

To move the iPhoto Library folder to a new location:

Quit iPhoto.
Move your current library to a new location on your hard disk.
Open iPhoto.
Click Find Library.
Select the library and click Open.

Note: This all was located within the iPhoto Help area under “about the iphoto library folder” - It just took me awhile to find it.

posted on November 14, 2004 | 5:58 PM EST

4 Comments

Add to the discussion.

bradbruce Says:

yeayea, i had to figure out all that jaz too when i changed over computers… any ways, sweet site… my brother brandon has a blag or whatever too…

http://www.brandonjenniferbruce.com/

take it easy aaron

Posted at: November 14, 2004 11:42 PM

Howard Says:

Did you try to “drag” copy the desired folder and data file for that folder into the “album” folder? I haven’t tried this but it might work?

You could also import the .jpg files into iPhoto. This is probably the safest route.

Posted at: November 19, 2004 6:39 PM

Aaron Schaap Says:

I haven’t tried dragging the the data files into the album folder yet - I should back everything up and give it a try - Good idea.

As for importing the .jpg files into iPhoto - that would take way to long with how many pictures I have. Plus, I have them all organized in different folders and wouldn’t want to spend the time seperating them out to import again.

Posted at: November 20, 2004 12:12 PM

pablohart Says:

My problem is I have an existing library on my “home” computer that I’d like to add photos to from my “work” computer. I suppose I could try dragging individual photos from, say, work computer’s “2005” folder into the 2005 folder on home computer.

Posted at: May 11, 2005 9:00 AM

theParagon