Need to Undo Merge Events

Dave:

If you have *not imported any new photos since the Time Machine copy* of a couple of weeks ago you can try this:

1 - while in the Pictures folder enter the Time Machine.
2 - go back in time to the latest backup.
3 - restore the library but keep the original library - we'll call it Lib B.
4 - move the restored library (B) to the desktop.
5 - rename the original library back to just "iPhoto Library" - Lib A
6 - open the Lib A package and move the Library6.iPhoto file to the Pictures folder.
7 - leaving the A package open open the Lib B package and move the Library6.iPhoto file into Lib A.
8 - close both library packages.
9 - launch iPhoto and see if your events have been recovered.

If that doesn't work or causes you to lose some events that were imported after the TM backup, you can replace the Library6.iPhoto file with the one you moved to the Pictures folder.

If you have to stay with the one event library you could create smart albums based on some time frame, i.e. month by month, then select the photos in one smart album and create a new event for them.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. 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.

Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

No. That's why Time Machine, run at 1 hour intervals, is so important. You'll have to just start regrouping the photos with smart albums based on some criteria and then turn those smart albums into Events.

There is a way to recover from similar types of issues in the future. See the tip at the end of my signature above and run the workflow application after every import or major editing or creating effort in the library.

Yes, that would work. Better yet. This will work.

1 - restore the TM library (A) keeping the original library (B).
2 - move the library B to the desktop.
3 - launch iPhoto to open the library A.
4 - go to the library B on the desktop, open it via the Finder like this and drag the Originals folder into the open iPhoto window of library A. When you get a message that you have a duplicate being imported deny permission for that all all duplicates.

This will import only those files that are not in library A. If it doesn't go well you can start over again by bringing the TM version back, replacing the one in the Pictures folder and try again.

OT