iPhoto keeps switching to the Last Import folder automatically

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iPhoto keeps switching to the Last Import folder automatically

When iPhoto is open, and you switch to another Application, then switch back to iPhoto, iPhoto automatically switches back to the Last Import folder. This is very annoying because you lose your place in iPhoto. It seems like iPhoto wants to import new photos everytime you flip to it, even though there is no camera plugged in, which is why it ends up on the Last Import folder. Has anyone else seen this or have a solution?

Pages '09-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Nov 27, 2012 9:46 AM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Nov 27, 2012 9:51 AM in response to flee1

I do not see that

And if iPhoto were trying to import it would not be in the last import list

What other application are you switching to, why are you switching to it and what are you doing there?

LN

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Answer 2

léonie

Level 10

194,647 points

Nov 27, 2012 9:56 AM in response to flee1

Hmm,

this does not happen, when I switch between iPhoto and other applications; iPhoto remembers the currently viewed event or album. I am using iPhoto 9.4.2; what is your iPhoto version?

Regards

Léonie

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Answer 3

flee1 Author

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Nov 27, 2012 10:01 AM in response to léonie

I am using iPhoto 11 (9.4.2) on Mountain Lion. Here is the bug I am seeing in more detail:

1. Open iPhoto beside other Apps (like Mail, Finder, etc.)

2. Click away from iPhoto so another App is selected, like Mail, Finder, or even click on the Desktop

3. Now click back on iPhoto

4. For a fraction of a second, you see iPhoto try to import new photos, but when it discovers there are no new photos from any camera, it goes to Last Import (the same sequence as if it had imported photos)

So that is the bug, it is making iPhoto unusable because everytime you switch back to iPhoto you lose your place with what you were doing and end up in Last Import.

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Answer 4

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Nov 27, 2012 10:07 AM in response to flee1

Bug - no

No one else has reportedthis and neither Lonie nor I see it - it is not a bug but something specific to your configuration - in the devices section of the finder what devices do you have connected to yoru computer and what format are they if they are storage devices

LN

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Answer 5

flee1 Author

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Nov 27, 2012 10:31 AM in response to LarryHN

There are no other storage devices attached to the computer. I have never seen this before either until now, it just started happening a few months ago. I have tried migrating to an entirely different Mac with a newer version of iPhoto and Mac OS yet it still happens, so it's something to do with the iPhoto Library probably. I also tried rebuilding the iPhoto Library but that did not fix it.

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Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

207,367 points

Nov 27, 2012 1:46 PM in response to flee1

Make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and try the following:

1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your

User/Home/Library/ Preferences folder.

2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your

User/Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.

Click to view full size

3 - launch iPhoto and try again.

NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.

NOTE 2: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

OT

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Answer 7

flee1 Author

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Nov 27, 2012 2:36 PM in response to Old Toad

I tried deleting com.apple.iPhoto.plist but no change. Oddly, my computer does not have a com.apple.iPhoto folder at all, I did a spotlight and searched everywhere but it's nowhere to be seen. Where could the cache be? Could that be the problem?

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Answer 8

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Nov 27, 2012 3:09 PM in response to flee1

Did you taek note of Note 2?

NOTE 2: In Lion and Mountain Lion the Library folder is now invisible. To make it permanently visible enter the following in the Terminal application window: chflags nohidden ~/Library and hit the Enter button - 10.7: Un-hide the User Library folder.

LN

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Answer 9

flee1 Author

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Nov 27, 2012 6:49 PM in response to LarryHN

Yes I made the Library folder visible and I saw lots of other com.apple.x folders, but strangely, none for iPhoto.

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Answer 10

léonie

Level 10

194,647 points

Nov 27, 2012 11:21 PM in response to flee1

Yes I made the Library folder visible and I saw lots of other com.apple.x folders, but strangely, none for iPhoto.

Probably you have opened your System Library at the top level of your system drive and not your user library at the top level of your Home folder.

You can go directly to your User Library by using the Finder's "Go" menu:

Click onto your Desktop to bring the Finder forward, then click "Go" in the Finder's main menu:
Hold down the options ⌥-key, until the Library appears in the drop-down menu, open it.
Navigate to the "Preferences" folder.

Or, since you have unhidden your User Library, you should see it, when opening your Home folder, not your Macintosh HD.

Regards

Léonie

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Answer 11

flee1 Author

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Nov 28, 2012 8:07 AM in response to léonie

hi lèonie, yes i did make sure i looked in the User library, not the System one. i successfully deleted com.apple.iPhoto.plist but that didn't help. but there was no com.apple.iPhoto folder in the user library. is there a way to recreate or reset it? i already tried rebuilding the iPhoto Library. (when you start iPhoto by holding down option and command) thanks.

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