iPhoto file location

In iPhoto 08, the iPhoto library is a package, which can't be accessed directly from file dialog boxes. Drag a photo you want to open onto the desktop and then open it from there; you can also find the library in the Pictures folder of the folder in the Finder's sidebar with the house icon, control-click on it, choose Show Package Contents from the menu which appears, and make an alias to the item inside. If you choose the second method, don't make any changes to the library structure outside of iPhoto.

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dgmagfilms7

You can set Photoshop (or any image editor)as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically.

This is the only way in which edits you make by PS will be reflected in iPhoto.

Otherwise There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.

1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.

2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.

3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

To upload to MySpace or any site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.

This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS

If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.

If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser. Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS

Also, for 10.5 users: If you use the extended Open or Attach dialogue (with Column View) you can scroll to the bottom of the Shortcuts and find the Media browser there. Select any pic you want from there.

Regards

TD

When I look at the iPhoto library, starting from House - Pictures, none of my albums are showing. The organization I put in in iPhoto -- albums, titles, etc. is totally lost, especially if I modified some of the pics and not others. Then they seem to be in two different folders. Is there anyway to preserve the organization, titles, etc. that I put on the photos.

Also, is there some topic I can look under in the help from Apple that explains what is going on here? Its all very opaque, which is not apple-like.

Is there any way to get the Titles and Albums I have attached to my iPhotos to operate as organizers for the photo files themselves? I have used the "Show File" option 3 that you describe - works except that photos still have the IMG names (not helpful) and are filed by whether or not they were modified, not at all by the albums I put them in or the names I gave them.

Also, is there any way to drag and drop a file into DreamWeaver pages I am making?

I agree the basic problem is answered. The answer *****. What happened to "a program that operates the way you do" like it says in the ads. When I put paper photos in albums, I can get to the album on the shelf and take the photo out to show it to friends. Now the iPhoto albums are totally hidden unless you are actually IN iphoto, which you can't do if you are browsing for a photo to put into a webpage -- so then you have to jump through hoops, and export the things and have duplicate copies -- or get rid of the dups and then re-export later.

I want to just have the photos where I put them, accessible from the file menues and clearly labeled the way I labelled them. That might be too much to ask from a PC, but you are Mac. I expect better.

ichini

You need to make a big decision or you're going to end up very cross:

Do you want a FILE organiser or a PHOTO organiser.

The Finder is a File Organiser, iPhoto is a Photo Organiser. You're obviously comfortable with a File Organiser. iPhoto's aims and systems are different, and it does replace the file organiser for your Pictures. So, decision time.

If you opt to use iPhoto then you're going to take a few moments and learn a new way of working. iPhoto is about your pictures and how you organise them in the iPhoto Window. There is no way to duplicate the arrangements in the iPhoto Window into the Finder - and to do so is rather to miss the point.

When I put paper photos in albums, I can get to the album on the shelf and take the photo out to show it to friends.

Yes, and iPhoto is the shelf, so launch it and show your friends the Photos.

Now the iPhoto albums are totally hidden unless you are actually IN iphoto,

I don't know what version you've used recently, but this has been the xase since v5 from 2005.

which you can't do if you are browsing for a photo to put into a webpage -- so then you have to jump through hoops, and export the things and have duplicate copies -- or get rid of the dups and then re-export later.

Or you could use a Media Browser? I don't know if one will work on 10.2... Are you still on 10.2?

Regards

TD

No, Ichini is right, that's an awfully stupid way to do things, and just because Apple decided to do it that way doesn't make it un-stupid. The finder and iPhoto are two different applications, and as in iTunes, I expect to be able to find my picture files in the finder. Why would I want iPhoto's organization dupiclated in the finder? No, just like in iTunes, I expect the files to be organized in the finder the way all files are organized in the finder, and the pictures to be organized in iPhoto in the way I get iPhoto to organize them. Dragging the file out of iPhoto and placing it on the desktop is a really clumsy way to do it because it requires me to then delete the file. I'm not going to remember to do that every time and shouldn't have to. If iPhoto could do it in 2005, it can surely do it in 2008. If iTunes can do it, iPhoto can do it too.

No, Ichini is right, that's an awfully stupid way to do things, and just because Apple decided to do it that way doesn't make it un-stupid.

Nope he's not, and it's not stupid.

The finder and iPhoto are two different applications,

Well that's a breakthrough

and as in iTunes, I expect to be able to find my picture files in the finder.

But why? There are almost a dozen ways to access your files, all of them faster, all of them safer than surfing the iPhoto Library Folder. So why exactly do you need to do it the same way.

And let's be clear here you're talking about a database that bears no resemblance to the iTunes one. This db tracks non-destructive editing, previews, modified versions and original files. iTunes tracks a list.

I expect to be able to find my picture files in the finder. Why would I want iPhoto's organization dupiclated in the finder? No, just like in iTunes, I expect the files to be organized in the finder the way all files are organized in the finder, and the pictures to be organized in iPhoto in the way I get iPhoto to organize them.

But you can do that. Simply use a referenced library.

There has never been a version of iphoto where surfing the iPhoto Library Folder was a recommended activity. Never. Quite the contrary - go back and search the documentation.

Dragging the file out of iPhoto and placing it on the desktop is a really clumsy way to do it because it requires me to then delete the file

Then don't do that. Use one of the other methods.

I know that change is difficult, that learning is hard. But it is possible.

Regards

TD

Okay, so being new to the MAC I am reading, fiddling, and exploring to learn as quickly as I can..I was a PC user for years but because I spent more time troubleshooting and fixing the PC I quickly switched to MAC when the processor became Intel. I love my MacBook Pro and will not go back to PC.

However, there are still some things about MAC that are not clear to me. Under the Finder window there are several ways to get to my images that I imported into iPhoto. But where are the originals and are they accessible by other programs? Also, is there a way to access my big photo cache on an external drive when I am home but access a smaller, portable external hard drive of photos when I am on the road? Is there a manual that describes these kinds of operations anywhere? I find that the Apple HELP is pretty rudimentary and that most of the questions that I have are not answered on teh Apple site or in any HELP file.

thanks for your time.

Gary

Gary

What version of iPhoto are you using? I'll assume v7 (part of iLife 08)

You photos are stored in the iPhoto Package File - this is the icon on the Pictures Folder. (If you're using an earlier version it will be a Folder). If you want to see inside: right click on the Icon and go Show Package Contents. However, don't change anything in there. iPhoto is a database and tracks the file paths, change anything and you corrupt the db.

are they accessible by other programs?

Well better to say they are accessible TO other programs.

There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:

For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.

To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.

This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS

If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.

If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.

Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS

You can also drag and drop from the iPhoto Window to a winde variety of other applications.

Other options include:

1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.

2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.

3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

Also, is there a way to access my big photo cache on an external drive when I am home but access a smaller, portable external hard drive of photos when I am on the road?

Here's a way:

Copy the iPhoto Library to the External HD. Now you have two full copies.

On the laptop remove the pics you don't want to have there (put them in the iPhoto trash and go iPhoto Menu -> Empty Trash)

Now you have your full library on the External and the smaller on the laptop.

To switch between them: hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. Select 'Choose Library'.

If you're using multiple libraries, iPhoto Library Manager is an invaluable resource, and the best way to move pics, albums and events, plus metadata, between them.

Regards

TD