duplicate photos in iphoto...how to remove?

i'm trying to backup my pictures by dragging a selection of photos into my burn folder.

Are you doing this using iPhoto - not the finder?

but, i'm having two problems that seem related. it won't let me copy any pics/mvi's that i have multiple copies of

If you export the photos (file menu ==> export) you can rename them sequentially ads a part of th export.

You need to do the movies separately and export them as kind = original - if you just drag or do the default export you only get the JPEG preview - not the movie

and i seem to have a kajillion pics that have 3 copies for some reason. it's random which pics are multipled and they're scatttered throughout my library. it makes it very tedious to click each photo separately.

any ideas why i have these multiples and any painless ways to get rid of them?

Assuming that you are seeing these duplicates using iPhoto it is because you have imported multiple copies into iPhoto - possibly you at some time imported an old iPhoto library into your current iPhoto library (you should never do that - it creates massive duplicates and triplicates)

Usually the best way to get rid of them is to back up your iPhoto library and run duplicate annihilator - http://www.brattoo.com/propaganda/

LN

So either remove the duplicates or rename during export

LN

I'm using iphoto to drag the pics into my burn folder.

THis says you are using iPhoto and dragging the photos to a burn folder

Actually, I'm copying and pasting out of iphoto into my burn folder.

This says you are not dragging them and sounds like you might be using the finder inside of the iPhoto library

How are you getting the photos?



Have you exported as I suggested?

If you export the photos (file menu ==> export) you can rename them sequentially ads a part of the export.

LN

Message was edited by: LarryHN

Using the copy and paste is the same as selecting those thumbnails in iPhoto and dragging to the Burn folder.

As far as having multiple copies if you don't see the multiple copies in iPhoto but only in the Finder those are not duplicate but required versions of the original file, a thumbnail and a modified if the file has been edited.

Another method would be to select either an Event or album of photos and export them to a folder on the Desktop using Original as the format in the Export window. Rename that folder for the Event name and drag it to the Burn folder. Do that for each event. That will assure you keep any similarly named image files separate and in their own event named folder.

To get around having the camera name the files with the same name go to the camera's menu and look for the option to not reset the image numbering each time. That will solve the duplicate file name problem.

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 versions) 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. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 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: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.