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Two things....When I click on a photo in my photo library it will open as a large black exclaimation mark. Should I just delete this photo or can I get it to open somehow? Also..I have many pics in the library that are just blank squares but when clicked on them the picture opens. How can I save that so it shows in the library?
thanks...and yeah, I've way screwed up my iPhoto....
The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
iPhoto 08?
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
iPhoto 08?
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
I have no back-up. In 2009 I deleted my entire iPhoto...it was recovered, partially, but is scattered with many duplicates, exclaimation marks and blanks. I badly need to clean it up and am terrified to lose it all again. If I use the fatcatsoftware what will be restored? My messy new replacement or my original Library from '09?
If you use Library Manager then it will make a new library with the images that it can find.
Regards
TD
OMG! It WORKED!! I have a whole new library with everything in dated events! Still have a lot of duplicates but NO exclaimation marks or blank squares! Took until late evening to complete but it's wonderful! Thank you SO MUCH!!! It's actually managable now! Wow...you're a godsend!
Big hug heading your way!! Casey
I have iphoto 9.2.3 I'd like to try to recover exclaimation marked photos BUT $30 for iphoto library manager? Really?
Or try...?
Using The Rebuild command in Library Manager does not require a purchase.
Exclamation marks/blank squares
