I referred to iphoto08 images as "broken" because in the Originals folder they show up as little white squares with arrows, jpg markings, and a quicktime logo. The images they refer to were deleted from an event so why are they still there?

Question

Level 1

15 points

I referred to iphoto08 images as "broken" because in the Originals folder they show up as little white squares with arrows, jpg markings, and a quicktime logo. The images they refer to were deleted from an event so why are they still there?

And if I click on the little white icons, I get that message about not being able to find the original. What would happen if I deleted these disfunctional icons since there's no original to be found anyway? I will not do anything however because all the advice is against making any changes through the Finder. But can I copy the non-alias images (the ones that open up when clicked and show a full resolution image) from the Originals file to put into a folder of my own making or to use in a new library?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 14, 2013 1:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Aug 14, 2013 4:04 PM in response to Tintoretto

If you make any changes to the content or structure of the iPhoto library you will make things worse

1 - there are many reasons no to have a referenced library - this is one of the main ones

2 - yes you can copy images from the originals folder to a desktop folder and create new library from those images

LN

Reply

Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

207,457 points

Aug 14, 2013 4:52 PM in response to Tintoretto

The files with arrows on the are alias files which are indictative of a "referenced" libraray.

Check the iPhoto Advnaced preference pane and see if the checkbox to copy photos into the library during import is checked or not. If not you have a referenced library.

If that's the case I'd use iPhoto Library Manager to rebuild you library which will convert the library to a managed one and include all available original/master photos in it along the keywords, titles, albums, etc. Here's how:

Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library

Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.

Click on the Add Library button,

and select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.

Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option

In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.

Click on the Create button.

Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.

Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

OT

Reply

Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

207,457 points

Aug 14, 2013 5:13 PM in response to Old Toad

This is what the alias files look like in the Originals folder of an iPhoto 8 or earlier referenced library:

Reply