Trying to edit picture: iPhoto not showing ANYTHING!

I am also having problems with this topic.

Having taken the topic advice and rebuilt my collection using Library Manager, my collection has shrunk from 5500+ images to just 650 images! However, many of those 5500 images in the library were duplicates (why?), most of which would not open in the full size.

However, all the missing images are still in the Default library, but when I click on the thumbnails all I get are dotted lines and a question mark, not even a small image. Why? I also transferred all my images, files and books to my EHD, but now this only shows what is on my laptop HD.

I have always had reservations about changing from good old slides (at least you can "save" them in a box!). It seems that the iPhoto system is far too complex and fiddly for the likes of me! I simply want a system which downloads pictures and keeps them safely in one place.

harri2626

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.

When you rebuild with iPhoto Library Manager it attempts to re-create the Library based on data available to it in the AlbumData.xml file. If the database damage is severe, that file will also be damaged. This will explain this phenomenon:

my collection has shrunk from 5500+ images to just 650 images!

However, all the missing images are still in the Default library, but when I click on the thumbnails all I get are dotted lines and a question mark, not even a small image. Why?

The ! or ? turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents. In other words, when you database is corrupted.

I also transferred all my images, files and books to my EHD, but now this only shows what is on my laptop HD.

How did you do that?

Now the easiest and fastest way to rescue the situation is to restore from your Back Up. You have one, right?

If not: you need to create and populate a new Library:

To create and populate a new *iPhoto 6* library:

Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.

Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop

Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.

Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.

When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.

In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

It seems that the iPhoto system is far too complex and fiddly for the likes of me!

Well there are lots and lots of very inexperienced computer users who are successfully using iPhoto. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you want help using it, by all means post back.

I simply want a system which downloads pictures and keeps them safely in one place.

That's what iPhoto does.

Regards

TD

I am having the same problem. For whatever reason, JPEGs are not working. I have tried Graphic Converter to save them as another set of JPEGs, but still doesn't work, everything is blank (except for thumbnails). However, if I Save my JPEGs as TIFFs they will import into iPhoto just fine and I am able to edit and work with them. This is on a completely fresh install of 10.5.7 with ALL the latest software updates installed and all permissions repaired.