Triangle and exclamation point picture error??

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.

What version of iPhoto?

Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?

A Managed Library, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing. The files are then stored in the Library package

A Referenced Library is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

Option 1

Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.

If that fails:

Option 2

Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.

Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .

Regards

TD

I have a similar problem. Four pictures had the exclamation point ( I should have left well enough alone). I took your advice and downloaded Library Manager. I still don't see the 4 pictures. I have an otherwise complete library in Library Manager, but my original I photo library is missing about 30% of its photos -- or rather the event titles are there but the box is blank. And many photos are missing in Faces.

How can I go back to the original?

Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and open the original one.

Thanks, but the library (default) listed there gives me the same blank frames and Faces is still missing most of its pictures.

Maybe the question should be .... how do I retrieve the pictures from the new library in LIbrary Manager and send them back to the original file?

Or how does one rebuild the thumbnails once the suggestion method doesn't work. That is: open I-photo while holding down option and command and then choosing rebuild thumbnails. Oddly, when I want to upload a photo file from my blog on Wordpress, and search for my library of photos, the thumbnails are there to choose from. Is it accessing Library Manager?

thanks again.

how do I retrieve the pictures from the new library in LIbrary Manager and send them back to the original file?

You don't want to do that. That library is corrupted. Adding data to a known-damaged database is a recipe for dataloss.

I find that rebuilding the thumbnails requires 3 or 4 goes.

Regards

TD

Thanks again. I rebuilt the thumbnails 3 times. It took a long time, but I have my pictures back and I can edit them. Would it be safe to delete the I=photo Library manager program?

Sure.