black background on imported images

hotwls:

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Those png files have transparency layers and which show up as black when displayed in iPhoto. When added to other documents or printed the background of the paper or other documents will show thru. To change them export them to the desktop changing the format to jpg and the transparent layer will change to white.

The other formats that can contain transparency layers are gifs and Photoshop.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

If you export the file as a jpg and import back into iPhoto that will be a separate file from the original png. You'll have both files in the library.