reducing the size of iLibrary

Question

Level 1

4 points

reducing the size of iLibrary

1) Is it possible to reduce the size of the iLibrary folder since it quickly exceeds tens of Gb once you import RAW format pictures ? It becomes difficult to back up even on an external hard drive.

2) How is it possible to find the original pictures that have been imported into iPhoto ? My problem is the following : since my iLibrary becomes really too large, it slows down the MacBookPro and I would like to only keep on my drive the pictures related to the last year for instance instead of all my pictures. Unfortunately, I have no clue on how to "split" my file without losing both the original pic and the changes that were made on them with iPhoto.

Many thanks.

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 19, 2007 5:00 AM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,308 points

Dec 19, 2007 5:24 AM in response to indigoyueyue

indigoyueyue

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.

1. Not gracefully. You can export the contents of the iPhoto Window - which will get all your current versions, then trash the iPhoto Package File and then create a new Library. Import the previously exported pics, where they'll be treated as Originals. There are apps that claim to do this but they all risk damaging the library.

2. You can split a library very simply: Copy it to the external HD. Now you have two full copies. Then on your internal, trash the pics from previous years. Result: On your internal you have only this years pics, on the external you have the full library.

Use iPhoto Library Manager to easily manage multiple libraries and move pics/albums/events between them.

Regards

TD

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Answer 2

indigoyueyue Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2007 3:36 AM in response to Yer_Man

Good morning.

Thank you for your swift reply and your warm welcome.

iPhoto Library Manager seems indeed the best way. I need to test it now ...

The pity is however that, as a new Mac user, I did not imagine that I would have to devote time for lots of manipulation in this case. Just reducing the size (and quality) of the imported pics (RAW) would have been easier. Without taking into consideration the risk of importing new pics on my MacBookPro that will not be in the archive on the external "back up" hard disk.

Anyway, thanks again for your help !

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,308 points

Dec 20, 2007 7:37 AM in response to indigoyueyue

Well I think it's important to remember that iphoto is not for everyone, nor is it compulsory to use it.

Just reducing the size (and quality) of the imported pics (RAW) would have been easier.

As iPhoto performs all operations on a copy, this would actually take up more space.

Without taking into consideration the risk of importing new pics on my MacBookPro that will not be in the archive on the external "back up" hard disk.

Well that's what iPhoto Library Manager will facilitate. I mean you would have to back them up anyway, right? You do back up your photos?

Regards

TD

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