willchance2006

Q: Multiple images with same filename presumably preventing export

iMac running OS X El Capitan v10.11.6; Photos 1.5

 

I am trying to export approximately 331 images, and I am getting an error report saying that only 169 of the images exported because of a failure to create files for 159 of the images.  Then the report provides me the filenames of the first 100 images for which files did not create.  After looking up many of the images for which a file would not create, I realized that in all instances there was at least one, if not several, other images that have the SAME EXACT FILENAME as the image at issue.  I can't change the filenames by right clicking on "info."  I have tried exporting the images and changing the filenames upon export using the sequential option and the album name option - still having the same exact issue.  I even tried exporting one image at a time and changing the filename individually to no avail. Is there ANY work around for this? I desperately need to export these specific images. I am trying to create a photobook to be shown to birth mothers whom are choosing a family with which to place their child/ren for adoption. I am at my wit's end.  The kicker is I'm moving toward trying to export all my images and this is going to be a HUGE ongoing problem for me so I truly hope there's a way to somewhat simply get around this issue. I am a hobby photographer and use the computer for business and crafting.  I saw some posts that included replies referencing "AppleScript" - I have no clue how to do something like that.

 

From here on out I will DEFINITELY make sure that my Canon continually numbers image filenames and does not automatically reset.  For other non-Canon photos, is there a way to batch rename images upon import?

 

Any advice and assistance will be GREATLY appreciated!

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 23, 2016 8:45 PM

Close

Q: Multiple images with same filename presumably preventing export

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by FishingAddict,

    FishingAddict FishingAddict Aug 23, 2016 9:31 PM in response to willchance2006
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 23, 2016 9:31 PM in response to willchance2006

    Finder has the ability to batch rename files with various patterns.  Simply select all of the files to rename, right-click any one of the selected files, choose "Rename X items...", and then set options and click the "rename" button.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 23, 2016 9:49 PM in response to willchance2006
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 23, 2016 9:49 PM in response to willchance2006

    Where are you exporting the image files to?  If it's an external HD how is that HD formatted. 

     

    When expiring 2 files with the same file name

    Photos003.jpg

    either by dragging the thumbnail to a folder on the Desktop of by exporting via the File âž™ Export menu option I get this

    Finder001.jpg

     

    So there must be something amiss with the destination where you're trying to export to.

    OTsig.png

  • by willchance2006,

    willchance2006 willchance2006 Aug 24, 2016 9:55 AM in response to FishingAddict
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 9:55 AM in response to FishingAddict

    Thank you.  However, I'm exporting from Photos and can't even get all the images to finder to begin with - unless they're there somehow, and I'm unaware of it.  I'm going to provide a detailed explanation with screenshots below in reply to OT, if you're interested. Thanks again!

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 24, 2016 10:16 AM in response to FishingAddict
    Level 10 (84,170 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 10:16 AM in response to FishingAddict

    FishingAddict wrote:

     

    Finder has the ability to batch rename files with various patterns.  Simply select all of the files to rename, right-click any one of the selected files, choose "Rename X items...", and then set options and click the "rename" button.

    Really BAD and destructive advice - using the finder to make any change to the contents of the Photos library will corrupt it and cause data and possible photo loss - DO NOT EVER MAKE ANY CHANGES OF ANY SORT TO THE CONTENTS OF THE PHOTOS LIBRARY - if face do not even access the contents of the Photos library using the finder

  • by willchance2006,

    willchance2006 willchance2006 Aug 24, 2016 10:14 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 10:14 AM in response to Old Toad

    Ok, this is what I'm doing.  I'm using this method because it is what the rep at AppleCare suggested.

     

    First I am in Photos, in my husband's user on our iMac, selecting all photos in the album.

     

    Select.JPG

    Then, I'm dragging all of them to a folder on my desktop entitled "Album Transfer Test."

     

    Album transfer.jpg

     

    This is the error report I get:

     

    Error report.jpg

     

    This is a sampling of the files that make it into the Album Transfer Test folder (there is a variety of filename types):

    After export.JPG

     

    So, then I searched in Photos for the first filename that the error report listed - IMG_1083.JPG and this is the result, three images. (The search bar seems to indicate that I typed in "IMG_1083 1083" when in reality I only typed in "IMG_1083" - if that makes a difference at all.) Each with the same filename.  I'm only trying to export one of the images - the last one where four people are standing behind a large wooden frame.

    Search result.JPGSearch result 2.JPGSearch result 3.JPG

     

    So, then, the idea is that once I have all the images in the Album Transfer Test folder, I drag the folder to Drop Box under Public under my username on our iMac.

    Drop.JPG

    Then, I can switch to the my user on our iMac and retrieve the images from the Album Transfer Test folder.

     

    It has worked for the images that initially properly export to the folder.  My ultimate goal is to transfer not just these 331 images to my user, but ALL images in Photos under my husband's user.  I am the one that deals with everything photo related and it's very inconvenient and time-consuming to have all our photos on his user.  I just wish we would have thought about all this from the very beginning.  However, I had NO IDEA it would be this difficult to basically copy all images from one user's Photos to another user's Photos on the same iMac.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 24, 2016 10:37 AM in response to willchance2006
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 10:37 AM in response to willchance2006
    First I am in Photos, in my husband's user on our iMac, selecting all photos in the album.

    You are logged into your husband's user account on the Mac, correct? 

     

    Can you edit in Photos any of those 159 photos that won't export?

    Error report.jpg

  • by willchance2006,

    willchance2006 willchance2006 Aug 24, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Old Toad

    Yes, that is correct.  I am logged in to my husband's user account on our iMac.

     

    I spot checked about 5 - no I cannot edit them.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 24, 2016 1:31 PM in response to willchance2006
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 1:31 PM in response to willchance2006

    If you can't edit them the full sized version is missing from the library.  That's why you can't export them.  Has your husband ever run a "referenced" library at any time?

     

    Do you have a backup of the library from a time just prior to this occurring.  If so try restoring it to another location and see if those missing files are in that library.

  • by willchance2006,

    willchance2006 willchance2006 Aug 24, 2016 1:53 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 1:53 PM in response to Old Toad

    Oh, goodness!

     

    I'm fairly certain the answer to your question regarding a "referenced" library is "no."  He's never really done anything on Photos, or the previous iPhoto for that matter - I've always been the one to upload photos, organize, edit, etc.

     

    We switched from iPhoto some time back, and I'm betting that's where this issue is stemming from regarding the full sized versions missing. I can't recall when I did the switch.

    1. If I can find an old backup of a Photos or iPhoto library, can you point me to where I can find a tutorial of sorts to tell me how to restore it to another location?
    2. I apologize for what must seem like basic questions to you, but once I "restore it to another location" would I access those photos through Photos or just in Finder?
    3. We have a time capsule - is there a way for me to search for the old iPhoto library on the time capsule?
    4. If I don't/can't restore the library, then there's no hope for using those photos in any way - correct - since I won't be able to export them in any fashion?

     

    Thank you for ALL your help!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 24, 2016 2:17 PM in response to willchance2006
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 24, 2016 2:17 PM in response to willchance2006

    Once restored to another location so you don't overwrite your current library, you would open the restored library with Photos and search for those missing file names.

  • by FishingAddict,

    FishingAddict FishingAddict Aug 24, 2016 5:25 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 24, 2016 5:25 PM in response to LarryHN

    I should have put my comment in context.  I certainly agree that you should not modify file names in the Photos library.  I was actually referring to the posters final comment that his Canon is the cause of the duplicate filenames.  If the files are exported from the camera to a directory first, then Finder can be used to rename the files prior to importing to Photos.