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User profile for user: PrinzMegahertz
PrinzMegahertz Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

What happens if I duplicate a referenced image?

Dear community,


I'm currently using Apple photos to b ring my Iphone and DSLR images into a single place. My DSLR photos are stored on my NAS and I only add them as referenced images to my photos library.


As the title suggests, I wonder what happens If I duplicate a referenced image? My guess is that it is a virtual copy, since there's no way to show it's location in the finder. If that's true, does it use any diskspace? I tend to edit my shots in Luminar AI as a plugin - what happens if I do that to the duplicate of a referenced image?


Best regards

Tobias

Posted on Feb 6, 2021 11:46 PM

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,279 points

Posted on Feb 7, 2021 12:06 AM

I made a simple test - a new library with only one referenced photo imported. I duplicated this photo three times, and these copies photos are not showing the references badge. For each of these copies a new image file has been created in the "originals" folder in the Photos Library. The size of the "originals" folder has increased considerably.

The new versions are needing as much storage as the original.

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,279 points

Feb 7, 2021 12:06 AM in response to PrinzMegahertz

I made a simple test - a new library with only one referenced photo imported. I duplicated this photo three times, and these copies photos are not showing the references badge. For each of these copies a new image file has been created in the "originals" folder in the Photos Library. The size of the "originals" folder has increased considerably.

The new versions are needing as much storage as the original.

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,279 points

Feb 7, 2021 3:10 AM in response to PrinzMegahertz

Which system version do you have installed? If you are using macOS 10.15 Catalina or macOS 11 Big Sur, I would to risk to use a referenced library in combination with a NAS and/or iCloud Photos at all. It does not work reliable in theses system versions. Since macOS 10.15.1 Catalina is Photos trying to upload the referenced files to iCloud as well and that can cause the iCloud syncing to hang. referenced photos are not shown in the Places album.

You'd better be very diligent with your backups.


I forgot to reply to the question about Luminar AI. I am using Luminar AI as a photo editing extension. In my test library with the referenced photo and its duplicate, Luminar AI is returning the edited version as an additional original image file.

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What happens if I duplicate a referenced image?

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