how to create a new library , merge libraries keeping captions

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Level 1

44 points

how to create a new library , merge libraries keeping captions

Some assistance required please regarding Photos on my iMac.

Over the years and OSs I seem to have several photolibrary's one of which contains some slides that were scanned many years ago into a ".pct" format. Somehow they now no longer show only a large "! mark" .

I have now re-scanned them all and wish to consolidate my photo library into one retaining all the descriptions of when, where & who is in the photo and keep them with all my other pics in the one library.

Can this be done safely on my iMac?. I have looked at many reports and suggestions on-line. My proposal is firstly do backups of each library;

Make a new system Photolibrary.

Select all from each "old" library and import into new library.

If successful, I can then delete the old libraries freeing up space on my iMac.

This may seem an easy operation but can anyone give some more tips and advice please?

Alan

iMac 27″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Jan 24, 2022 3:29 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

TonyCollinet

Level 7

23,867 points

Jan 24, 2022 3:38 PM in response to ribbo39

Hi - Backups a very good, (and very important) plan.

With the new library import tool in photos 7 (Monterey) "most" metadata is also imported, but not keywords. I believe face data is also not transferred. Don't ask why keywords are excluded - I've no idea.

(See - https://support.apple.com/en-mide/HT209528)

So it depends on how you have recorded descriptions etc.

The best thing to do will be to try an import of a few phtoos with the most data and see if what you need transfers OK.

If it does, then fine, you can go ahead and import from your other libraries using the new features.

If it doesn't then your best bet will be the third party tool PowerPhotos from fat cat software. (around £$30). This will transfer everything except faces.

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Answer 2

Jan 28, 2022 12:50 AM in response to ribbo39

Hi

MicroSD cards are not a compatible location for a photos library. You need to be using a directly connected (no wifi, no ethernet) external drive formatted APFS, or MacOS extended, with the ignore ownership checkbox checked:

See

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201517

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

195,311 points

Jan 25, 2022 12:32 AM in response to TonyCollinet

I tested again with a small test library with two photos, where I had assigned titles, captions, keywords, faces.

No faces data have been imported all, the keywords were missing, only one photo has been imported with the caption and title. For this photo the caption and title have already been embedded in the Exif tags.

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Answer 4

ribbo39 Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 28, 2022 12:41 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi, Apologies for not replying earlier.

I am now in the process of making a complete backup of the iPhoto Library from the Pictures folder to a 64GB microSDXC card.

A question; Can I /should I import into the SDXC card, the older/other Photo libraries thus leaving the library on my iMac as it?

Alan

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Answer 5

ribbo39 Author

Level 1

44 points

Feb 10, 2022 1:04 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi folks,

Having taken some time out, I'm coming back to this quandry having backed up my iPhoto Library to an external SSD formatted as APFS(case-sensitive).

The new library doesn't have the pics in the way I would like them, so I thought I could import from the SSD my "old" library.

Unfortunately, when I try, I get a pop-up saying the library has already been imported.

Should I delete the newly created library first, and then attempt to to re-import the original from the SSD?

Alan

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Answer 6

ribbo39 Author

Level 1

44 points

Jan 28, 2022 1:32 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi,

OK - I am using one of my SSDs (1TB) connected directly via usb cable and formatted APFS.

should I import into the SSD the older/other Photo libraries thus leaving the library on my iMac as it?

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how to create a new library , merge libraries keeping captions

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