where is the iPhoto folder?

Since iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is a Package File. This is simply a folder that +looks+ like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.

Directly accessing the files via the Finder is not supported. It's also unnecessary and quite inefficient.

There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.

(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)

You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:

There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.

If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.

If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:

For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.

Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.

For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser

Other options include:

Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.

File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.

Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected. 3.b.

b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

All of the above are a: faster and b: safer than what you're doing.

Regards

TD

Yes - that does give you full access which is why it is restriceted - there are no user servicable parts inside of the iPhoto library and it is specifically restricted to keep people from damanging it and losting their photos - it is STRONGLY recommended that you NEVER go directly into the iPhoto library the way you are suggesting - only access your photos using the supported access methode - <a href="http://web.me.com/larryhn/iPhoto_08_(version_7.x.x)_FAQ/Accessing_iPhoto_Photos. html"> click here for a discussion on the many correct and safe ways to access your iPhoto library photos.</a>

As to accessing your SD card - certainly if it is munted as a storage device - using your camera if it has a mass storage mode or using a USB card reader

LN

You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.

NX2 is a different case as it's not really an editor as such, and requires that you export pics from it. So it's actually a database, like iPhoto. In that scenario, best solution is to pick one horse and ride it.

Regards

TD