What causes duplicates in iPhoto?

Question

Level 1

5 points

What causes duplicates in iPhoto?

Over the last year, several power users in my company have complained about duplicates in iPhoto.

Is there a list of reasons why users get duplicates in iPhoto?

I see tons of products to get rid of duplicates... I am looking for a definitive list of what causes duplicates and how to avoid duplicates.

It's seems funny there are so many products to get rid of duplicate but no solution to prevent duplicates in the first place.

Does anyone know why duplicates occur so often? My users have iPhones and iPads... They are using Photo Stream on the iOS devices but not on their laptops?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ray

Xserve, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Oct 29, 2013 7:11 PM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Oct 30, 2013 12:17 AM in response to RayfromMD

The only reason users have duplicates in iPhoto is that they import duplicates or in some olders versions they use an external editor which makes a duplicate

A common cause is importing automatically via PhotoStream and a second time via a sync. You need to do one or another

Another user error that causes multiple copies (not duplicates) is importing an old library into a new one. You never import an iPhoto libeary

Basically duplicates are causerpd by user error. To identify any specific user error would require all the details about system and exactly what the user has done. There is no general answer since iPhoto does not depuplicate photos, users do.

LN

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Answer 2

RayfromMD Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 6, 2013 6:59 AM in response to LarryHN

Hi Larry,

I agree something is happening on the user end causing the duplicates and identifying the exact cause will take further research.

Its very odd though... on my system if I import from my camera roll, it alerts me that a duplicate exists. Since the user has two devices and is using PhotoStream. Does iPhoto know that the photos on the iPhone and iPad are the same pictures? Do I need to tell the users to only sync their photos manaually with 1 iOS device?

Thanks,

Ray

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

212,163 points

Nov 6, 2013 10:10 AM in response to RayfromMD

You can use one of these applications to identify and remove duplicate photos from an iPhoto Library:

iPhoto Library Manager - $29.95
Duplicate Cleaner for iPhoto - free
Duplicate Annihilator - $7.95 - only app able to detect duplicate thumbnail files or faces files when one library has been imported into another with iPhoto 8 and earlier.
PhotoSweeper - $9.95 - This app can search by comparing the image's bitmaps or histograms thus finding duplicates with different file names and dates.

OT

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Answer 4

Kinoav8r

Level 1

12 points

Dec 7, 2013 3:22 PM in response to LarryHN

Not correct, at least in my case.

I have Photoshop Elements set as the external editior for iPhoto (iP 9). Every time I select a photo in iPhoto and click to open it in the external editor, a duplicate file is created in iPhoto.

If anyone know how to prevent this from happening, I'd love to hear it.

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Answer 5

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Dec 7, 2013 3:25 PM in response to Kinoav8r

re read more carefully

The only reason users have duplicates in iPhoto is that they import duplicates or in some olders versions they use an external editor which makes a duplicate

You obviously have an older version - The only way to prevent that is to update/upgrade to a later version of iPhoto

LN

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Answer 6

Kinoav8r

Level 1

12 points

Dec 7, 2013 4:03 PM in response to LarryHN

Well don't I look stoopid. Thanks, Larry.

I guess version 9 qualifies as an older version?

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Answer 7

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Dec 7, 2013 4:19 PM in response to Kinoav8r

It is approaching five years older that the current version of iPhoto '11 - with the current version of iPhoto (and quiet a few previous ones) the photo is no lnger duplicated when using an external editor - which is why aI was very clear in my post- which is correct in your case

LN

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Answer 8

Old Toad

Level 10

212,163 points

Dec 8, 2013 11:54 AM in response to Kinoav8r

iPhoto 11 encompasses versions 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.2.3, several 9.3s, several 9.4s and now 9.5. Therefore it's important we know which exact version you have.

With iPhoto 9.0 and later when useing Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as the external iPhoto would create a duplicate copy to use. This was not the case with iPhoto 8 and earlier.

Happy Holidays

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What causes duplicates in iPhoto?