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Level 1

4 points

Single Referenced iPhoto Library or Multiple Managed Libraries

I have a huge iPhoto library and I do very little editing. The library is on a firewire drive connected to an iMac. With iPhoto 11, the library has become sluggish (in addition to getting larger). I like to have all the photos in one library, but that seems to be the problem.

Having done some research, I am wondering whether it would be better to ignore the iPhoto file structure and make one complete "referenced library" or is it better to use iPhoto Buddy or iPhoto Library Manager to cut up the current library? Picasa may work faster, but I would like to stay in the Apple eco-system as long as possible. If one referenced library is the answer then how do you safely move the iPhoto Library files to the new file structure without corrupting the files and/or metadata?

iPhoto '11, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 9, 2012 8:53 PM

Best reply

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Posted on Jul 9, 2012 9:09 PM

Referenced libraries are a nightmare - better now with Aperature and iPhoto being able to use the same library but still something to stay away from - and they offer no advantages at all

iPhoto buddy offers nothing today

iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can cut up your library and can help manger multiple libraries - but usually one large library is better than multiple smaller ones

How big is your library? Both in photos and in finder size?

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32 replies

Jan 6, 2014 11:49 AM in response to LarryHN

Hi,

I have read this (and many other threads) on managed vs referenced libraries, and I must say that I am a bit confused by some stated referenced library advantages. Since the files are said to be intact in the managed library, why would moving them from their original location be an advantage? What is needed is a database, an index and thumbnails, and if that could be kept separate from the files, that would leave the floor open to use other ways to index the files etc by other programs, even on different OSes.

File relocation is an issue, but not difficult to solve with proper systemization. Most file systems do.

I am afraid that lack of good referenced library support compared to managed is more strategic from Apple, than technical.

/Fredrik

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Jan 6, 2014 12:03 PM in response to fredrikfromlinköping

You are correct about there being no advantage in iPhoto to a referenced library - and there are several major drawbacks

As to you comments that it could be done - is has been done - Aperture (at $150 for the program vs $15 for iPhoto) handles referenced libraries well

In any case iPhoto and refereenced libraries are not a good idea - and there is absolurely no advantage to one with iphoto - could there be - maybe - but this forum is not about that - is is about how to use what is - not about what should be or could be or might be - just about what is

Single Referenced iPhoto Library or Multiple Managed Libraries