Can I create a second iPhoto library?

A rebuilt library is just exactly that - rebuilding the existing library - this probably is the key to repairing yoru library

a new library is as I described in my first post

to create a new iPhoto library depress the option key and launch iPhoto - create a new library

A totally new library with no history and no connection to anything else

LN

Larry as described the difference. And that's what iPhoto Library Manager does - make a whole new library.

Gents:

I have just retrieved my imac ((running 10.7.5) from the genius bar with iphoto problems - inability to load pix from iphone, promts saying iphoto in use by other app., need to rebuild library. etc etc. My iphot "hygiene" has not been good, ie thousands of phots arraged only by events.

Apple tech recommended making multiple new libraries to handle all the photos (which appeared to be around 35,000). Is this the best option? (I have noted your recommendation for iPhoto Library Manager).

Apple tech scrubbed my HD and reinstalled the operating system as well as files from my time maching backups. IN reviewing the photos that were reinstalled, I was stunned to find that in many cases there were "events" in triplicate, (name; name_2; name_3), clearly adding to the absurd number of photos. How does this happen? How can I protect againsst ths happening in future?

Coincident in all of this, on my iPhone, thumbnails in camera roll (before a certain date) looked sharp, but upon clicking, they came up out of focus. (Same pix transfered by icloud to ipad are fine). The iPhone was also scrubbed and new ios installed. No pix there now.....

Any help on this triplicate and library or photo file organization much appreciated.

JW

Apple tech recommended making multiple new libraries to handle all the photos (which appeared to be around 35,000).

There is no need for that as iPhoto 11 can handle 250,000 photos and more.

You have two options for moving forward:

1 - run iPhoto LIbrary Manager in an attempt to rebuild your library into a new, separated library leaving your current library untouched.

2 - Starting over from scratch with new library

Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:

1. Open the library package like this.

2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.

3. Drag the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window.

This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) and all the photos in the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.

Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

OT

the genius bar screwed your system and unfortuantly has no clue about iPhoto

Apple tech recommended making multiple new libraries to handle all the photos (which appeared to be around 35,000). Is this the best option? (I have noted your recommendation for iPhoto Library Manager).

No - iPhoto is good for 1,000,000 photos - 35,000 ia a midium sized library - I have over 50,000 - the entire value of the iPhoto database approach is being able to search all of your photos - the only time multiple libraries makes sense is for portable computers with very limited mass storage space - then a small library that goes with you and the entire library on an external disk that may or may not travel with you makes sense -- and if you have really different libraries - like a business library and a home library

Mutiple libraries complicates things and has not benefit except in very special cases like above

Apple tech scrubbed my HD and reinstalled the operating system as well as files from my time maching backups. IN reviewing the photos that were reinstalled, I was stunned to find that in many cases there were "events" in triplicate, (name; name_2; name_3), clearly adding to the absurd number of photos. How does this happen? How can I protect againsst ths happening in future?

Because they have no clue they improperly imported your old iPhoto library into the new one - you NEVER import an iPhoto library into another iPhoto library - the best way to recover is to start over - drag the library the genius screwed up to the desktop, restore your previous library (it should by default be in the pictures folder) and launch iPhoto - it will open (and convert as needed) the iPhoto library and you are good to go

As to avoiding this - simple - NEVER import an iPhoto library into another iPhoto library - and never let anyone else do it either

Coincident in all of this, on my iPhone, thumbnails in camera roll (before a certain date) looked sharp, but upon clicking, they came up out of focus. (Same pix transfered by icloud to ipad are fine). The iPhone was also scrubbed and new ios installed. No pix there now.....

This may be a result of low resolution thumbnails being imported into your iPhoto library as original photos byt the "genius" - or it may not - iPhone questions are best ask in the iPhone forum

And I would let teh store manager know that his "genius" has not clue about iPhoto - their lack of knoledge has caused you a lot of touble

LN

Larry and Old Toad:

ThankS for the help.

I should start by clarifying that the iPhoto problem was one of three problems whcih led me to go the the "genius" bar in the first place. It did not come back with the problem. -becasue it had been scribbed!. And of course, I find all my applications are gomne, as well as my address book, and email file (nicely arranged in trees). now that's a problem. Maybe I still have this on my Time Machine.

So, the triplicate problem arises from importing and entire library into another library.

drag the library the genius screwed up to the desktop, restore your previous library (it should by default be in the pictures folder) and launch iPhoto - it will open (and convert as needed) the iPhoto library and you are good to go

Larrry, if I drag the original library to the desktop, will I not also drag the triplicate files? And how do I "restore" the original library?

JW

Larrry, if I drag the original library to the desktop, will I not also drag the triplicate files?

Yes - you are just putting it there until you finish - while it is not likely you might have to extract your original photos from it depending on how bad the "genius" messed things up

as soon as you are done and have a good, working liberary that bad one goes in the trash and you empty the trash

And how do I "restore" the original library?

Basically launch TM, go back to before the "genius" imported teh library, select it and click restore

Full details on TM are here - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

THis will be the library from when you choose to restore - if it has problems then start a thread with details of your system and the problem -

And the Apple store must replace your Applications if you can not - there is no excuse for what they did - deleting your applications and data and then destroying your iPhoto libray is bad and I would not accept it

LN

LarryHN:

Not only did the genius remove apps, ut I no longer have old emails, and no longer seem to have address book files. In TM, went into applications, and clicked 'address boo' and got the prompt that because it was TM, could not reinstall files...(or something along those lines.0 Help!

JW

I would call the store manager and explain to him - they should help you take care of this

LN