I created multiple iPhoto libraries (based on year) for my family due to large number of photos my family has.
I also use Aperture for my landscape and nature photography, but I am interested in the possibility to have just one photo database.
Does the new unified library format do a better job of supporting large photo databases? All toghther we have over 10,000 photos to manage.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7)
Yes - but then so have all versions since iPhoto '08 - '08 & '09 and early version so '11 are good for upt to 250,000 photos - current version and Aperture 1,000,000
I have over 50,000 in my unified library
LN
10k is not a large number these days. We see folks on here importing 2k photos at one time from their phones. I have a 45k unified Library, at least one user over on the Aperture forum has a 400k one. So, you've got plenty of headroom.
Thanks Terence,
I appreciate your input about the unified library being better handle a large library, although I disagree with Larry that the previous versions of iPhoto have handled large libraries could handle them. I can only speak to iPhoto versions '07 up to '09, but they were horrible at handling large volumes, and I was forced to use an iPhoto Library Manager app.
Is there a good tutorial on how to now create a new library? From what I could find, it seems that combining libraries is more of a virtual link, rather than a new physical collection of images.
And I disagree with you since I have had not problems with much larger ibraries than you have - and since there never was an iPhoto '07 - the fact that you personally had problems does not mearn any more than that - you personally had problems
as to a unified library there is no creating - once you are upgraded to the pro=per versions of each program you simply open your library with the program of your choice
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5260
LN
Larry, who whizzed in your cherrios this morning? Did you read my post, or did you just go into flame mode as default?
Here is a table of iPhoto revision histories. I was speaking about iPhoto versions (yes, I used a '0' in front of the version), not the iLife version. Yes, there was not an iLife '07, but I didn't say iLife, I said iPhoto.
As for me just having a problem, maybe but I certainly had a lot of company. Otherwise, how can you explaing (please don't) the existence of several iPhoto library programs out there? I'm thrilled you didn't have problems, but that doesn't mean any more than that - you personally didn't have problems.
| Version | iLife | Introduction | OS X | Binary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhoto 1 | – | January 7, 2002[1] | 10.1 | PowerPC |
| iPhoto 2 | iLife | January 3, 2003 | 10.1 | PowerPC |
| iPhoto 4 | iLife '04 | January 6, 2004 | 10.2.6 | PowerPC |
| iPhoto 5 | iLife '05 | January 11, 2005 | 10.3.4 | PowerPC |
| iPhoto 6 | iLife '06 | January 10, 2006 | 10.4.3 | Universal |
| iPhoto 7 | iLife '08 | August 7, 2007 | 10.4.9 | Universal |
| iPhoto 8 | iLife '09 | January 7, 2009 | 10.5.6 | Universal |
| iPhoto 9 | iLife '11 | October 20, 2010 | 10.6.3 | Intel |
Is there a good tutorial on how to now create a new library?
Creating a new Library is simple:
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Are you referring to a unified Library? Any one updated to the latest version has one.
From what I could find, it seems that combining libraries is more of a virtual link, rather than a new physical collection of images.
What do you mean by 'combining libraries'? Merging?
If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager
I have no idea what you mean by "virtual link, rather than a new physical collection". A Library is a library.
As to capacity:
iPhoto versions to and including iLife 05 had a limit of 25k photos.
iPhoto versions from there to the most recent one had a limit of 250k photos.
There are people who will still tell you that you should never have more than 5k, 10k, 15k photos in a Library. Just because they say that doesn't mean they are correct.
I'm thrilled you didn't have problems, but that doesn't mean any more than that - you personally didn't have problems.
And the very same is equally true. Just because you had problems doesn't mean any more than that...
Terence, good additional information, thanks.
Here is my situation. Using iPhoto Library Manager, I have 4 separate libraries, total of 190 GBytes.
Also, using Aperture I have another library, 70GBytes. I'd like to have just one library for all of these photos.
My Aperture version is 3.4.3, and we're running iPhoto 9.4.2
The reason for this setup is that my wife historicaly used iPhotos for her family snaps, etc but doesn't need Aperture to do simple croping, etc. However, more and more she wants access to my Aperture edited photos and it would be easier for me to just have all photos in one location so that she can look for what she wants, in any library through iPhoto, and I can still use Aperture for my photography work.
In Finder, each library shows as an individual package (I believe that is the correct term). The four iPhoto libraries are on an external HDD, and the Aperture photos are on the internal HDD.
When I mentioned 'virtual' I meant if the applications (iPhoto & Aperture) would create the unified library by linking between these separate library elements (packages?), and combine them through data table references.
Reading your input, I'll use iPhoto Library Manager to combine the iPhoto libraries into one single package. Then, I'm assuming I need to use Aperture to make this unified library.
If I'm way off base, let me know, otherwise thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.
When I mentioned 'virtual' I meant if the applications (iPhoto & Aperture) would create the unified library by linking between these separate library elements (packages?), and combine them through data table references.
No.
With either Aperture or Library Manager you can import these Libraries into another one. So if you have library A, then you can use Aperture's Import Library command to import Librar1, and Library 2 into Library A etc.
You'll then have a much larger Library A but the other two libraries will still exist - juts the contents will be now in both libraries. Obviously, once you're happy with the imports and that they have gone correctly, you can then trash Library 1, 2 etc
Regards
TD
Does Unified Photo Library work well with lots of photos?
