HT204674: Add Photos images to an iMovie project

Learn about Add Photos images to an iMovie project
Joshuacw
Level 1 (4 points)
iLife

Q: Why can I not import videos from Photos into iMovie?

Maybe I'm missing it... I hope I am.

 

But why is there no longer a seamless way to select videos from my Photos library and import them into iMovie? I can't seem to even drag and drop them from Photos into iMovie!

 

I have to drag them from Photos to a folder on the Desktop, then import them into iMovie.

 

I miss when Apple's software made more sense.

Posted on May 27, 2016 5:37 AM

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Joshuacw

Q: Why can I not import videos from Photos into iMovie?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie May 27, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Joshuacw
    Level 10 (105,908 points)
    iCloud
    May 27, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Joshuacw

    I can see the videos in my Photos Library in iMovie, if I set the selector to "Albums" and select one of my albums, that only contains videos:

    Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 20.55.57GMT.jpg

  • by Joshuacw,

    Joshuacw Joshuacw May 31, 2016 5:55 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    May 31, 2016 5:55 AM in response to léonie

    Thank, léonie.

     

    That was what I expected to see, but after updating iMovie the last time the only library showing for me is the "All Events" one from iMovie. My Photos library doesn't show up anymore.

     

    Looks like it may only be an issue on my machine...

     

    I've tried deleting preferences and reseting permissions, but it's not showing. Next move is to delete iMovie altogether and reinstall.

     

    Thanks for your help.

  • by Jim Wanamaker,

    Jim Wanamaker Jim Wanamaker May 31, 2016 3:05 PM in response to Joshuacw
    Level 4 (3,671 points)
    iLife
    May 31, 2016 3:05 PM in response to Joshuacw

    Two things to try. First make sure your Photos library is set as the systems library in Photos preferences. Secondly open Photos and then open iMovie. iMovie is  flakey whether it shows the Photos library or not. Launching Photos first seems to wake it up.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie May 31, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Joshuacw
    Level 10 (105,908 points)
    iCloud
    May 31, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Joshuacw

    Your Photos Library is the System Photo Library, if the Photos Preferences are looking like this, when you are viewing the library:

    Screen Shot 2016-06-01 at 07.19.37MESZ.jpg

    "use as System Photo Library" needs to be greyed out.  Do other applications see the Photos Library, for example Mail or Preview? It can take several minutes for the Photos library to appear in the media browser.