HT204674: Add Photos images to an iMovie project

Learn about Add Photos images to an iMovie project
Kanani3
Level 1 (4 points)
iLife

Q: My Mac "Photos" library does not show up in iMovies left hand menu.

My Mac "Photos" library does not show up in iMovies left hand menu.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Aug 1, 2016 8:54 PM

by léonie,Apple recommended
léonie léonie
Level 10 (105,908 points)
iCloud
A:

Which version of iMovie are you using?  Only iMovie 10.x.x can show the Photos Library. Older versions of iMovie are incompatible.

 

My Mac "Photos" library does not show up in iMovies left hand menu.

Did the library ever show?  Check, if your currentPhotos Library is set to be the System Photo Library.

Launch Photos and open the Preferences. The button "Use as System Photo Library" needs to be grayed out, like shown in this screenshot. If the button is not gray, click it, then relaunch both iMovie and Photos or restart your Mac.

 

Screen Shot 2016-08-02 at 07.42.50GMT.png

It may take some time after you first set up your Photos Library, before it becomes visible in the Media Browser.  Photos needs to create previews, and that is done by background processes, let it run over night.

If the library does not show at all, repair the Photos Library, as described here:  https://help.apple.com/photos/mac/1.0/index.html#/pht6be18f93

 

Is your Photos Library an iCloud Photo Library? Repairing the library will cause it to upload to iCloud again. Repair it only as a last ressort.

Posted on Aug 1, 2016 11:17 PM

Close
Kanani3

Q: My Mac "Photos" library does not show up in iMovies left hand menu.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by léonie,Apple recommended

    léonie léonie Aug 1, 2016 11:17 PM in response to Kanani3
    Level 10 (105,908 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 1, 2016 11:17 PM in response to Kanani3

    Which version of iMovie are you using?  Only iMovie 10.x.x can show the Photos Library. Older versions of iMovie are incompatible.

     

    My Mac "Photos" library does not show up in iMovies left hand menu.

    Did the library ever show?  Check, if your currentPhotos Library is set to be the System Photo Library.

    Launch Photos and open the Preferences. The button "Use as System Photo Library" needs to be grayed out, like shown in this screenshot. If the button is not gray, click it, then relaunch both iMovie and Photos or restart your Mac.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-08-02 at 07.42.50GMT.png

    It may take some time after you first set up your Photos Library, before it becomes visible in the Media Browser.  Photos needs to create previews, and that is done by background processes, let it run over night.

    If the library does not show at all, repair the Photos Library, as described here:  https://help.apple.com/photos/mac/1.0/index.html#/pht6be18f93

     

    Is your Photos Library an iCloud Photo Library? Repairing the library will cause it to upload to iCloud again. Repair it only as a last ressort.

  • by Kanani3,

    Kanani3 Kanani3 Aug 1, 2016 11:17 PM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Aug 1, 2016 11:17 PM in response to léonie

    I'm running 10.1.2 but the System Photo button was not greyed out. I've tried that and will see if that works. Thanks for the super swift reply!

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Aug 2, 2016 1:11 AM in response to Kanani3
    Level 10 (105,908 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 2, 2016 1:11 AM in response to Kanani3

    You're welcome   Good Luck!