Manually rebuilding iPhoto library

I wonder if I can just grab all the Originals folders and re add them to iPhoto

No, you can't do that. However, you should try to repair the library by doing the following (assuming you are using iPhoto 9.0.0 or later):

1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window. Be sure to follow the circled recommendation in the screenshot.

2 - run Option #4, Rebuild Database.

Anyway, the problem I have is that over the 14 years I have been using Mac to sort my photos

You certainly always use your Mac to organize photos - however you must use the correct software and procedures - NEVER access or change the conteerary using the finder or any software other than iPhoto - iPhoto is the go to program for all iPhoto photos - never any other program

If you mean that you changed things using the finder then yes you must start over - there is no other option - no sotware - nothing

You need to launch iPhoto while holding down the option key and using the resulting select library window to create a new library - copy the originals folder from the library you corrupted to the desktop, make sure the iphoto preference to copy imported items to the iphoto library is checked and drag at folder in the originals folder onto the iPhoto icon in the dock and let it import them - once you have completed this and done at least one successful backup you can trash the old library and the originals folder on the desktop and move forward

But in the future remember there are NO user serviceable parts and no duplicates within the iPhoto library - you have no reason to ever go inside of it and would not - stay out of it and let iphoto work

iPhoto does have three versions (not duplicated) of each photos and all three are require for iPhtoot o work - if that is to what you want then use different software that does work the way you want - iPhoto works this way and required all three versions of each photo

LN

Open iPhoto while holding command and option keys. See if those options might help you.

Export your photos by File>Export...

In kind, choose original if you want only your originals and not the modified ones. Click Export. The exported photos will not include additional metadata that you added to them after importing them in. Close iPhoto.

Now delete your iPhoto library (Make sure to backup first).

Open iPhoto and import the folder where you exported the originals.

As a suggestion divide your iPhoto libraries by years, i.e., make new libraries for each year. This might help you to sort them better and increase performance of iPhoto

It seems that iPhoto duplicates files over and over, and this ***** up disc space.

iPhoto is not duplicating photos but caching previews and thumbnail versions to speed up performance. Otherwise browsing the library and sharing the library with the Media Browser would be much slower.

Its trading a little diskspace for a much faster performance when browsing a large library.

As a suggestion divide your iPhoto libraries by years, i.e., make new libraries for each year. This might help you to sort them better and increase performance of iPhoto

This is a personal opinion that is NOT shared by the experienced iphoto users I know - it essenciently defeats the total power of iphoto - finding the photo you want easily and quickly - it means opening and closing multiple libraries each time you want to find an old photo that you do not know f - a total disaster for most users

The recommendation is to have all photos in one library for connivance and ease of use

LN

Rebuilding will not work If I am correct in assuming that your statment means you have used the finder to move things around and delete things within the iphoto library- if you have done that then you have to start over as I stated in my post

LN