iPhoto "loses" the imported files.

Question

Maginnis1951 Author

Level 1

14 points

iPhoto "loses" the imported files.

Since Photos does not have the same functionality as iPhoto (batch changes for naming, viewing of file names under the photo) I've stuck with the iPhoto application. (After "migrating" my iPhoto library to Photos.)

My editing is done in Lightroom, and then exported to the desktop. Now, however, when I import anything to my iPhoto library from the desktop, I need to leave the folder on the desktop, otherwise, when I go to the album/event and select a photo, I get a message saying "ALERT The file xyz.jpg” could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found."

This has only happened since Photos has been added.

As I don't want to have to leave all of these files on the desktop, is there something that I can do to prevent iPhoto from losing the import?

iMac 24" mid-2007 aluminum model, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 6, 2015 5:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,308 points

Jul 7, 2015 12:53 AM in response to Maginnis1951

I have no idea why, if you're using Lightroom, you even use iPhoto (or Photos.) That's like drafting your novel in Word and then copying and pasting it to TextEdit. Lightroom does the same job as the other two apps - photo management and non destructive processing - but with professional grade tools. Frankly, you're workflow does not make sense.

As for the specific issue: iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced

Top of the pane: Importing: make sure the box at 'Copy Items to the iPhoto Library' is checked.

Reply

Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Jul 7, 2015 11:51 AM in response to Maginnis1951

Since Photos does not have the same functionality as iPhoto (batch changes for naming, viewing of file names under the photo)

There are workaround for those two issues. First select Titles to be displayed via the View ➙ Metadata menu option:

Next, use one of the Applescripts offered in the Photos for Mac User Tips to add the file name to the titles field or rename the title to whatever you want in a number of formats.

Also keep telling Apple what missing features you'd like restored or new features added in Photos via Apple-Photos Feedback.

The feedback is working as can be seen from the following paragraph in this Apple webpage: Apple OS X El Capitan.

Photos has been fine-tuned to make it even easier to manage your library. Now you can add a location to a single image or to an entire Moment. Naming your favorite people in Faces is faster with a streamlined workflow. You can also sort your albums — and the contents inside them — by date, title, and more.

Reply

Answer 3

Maginnis1951 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 8, 2015 6:26 AM in response to Yer_Man

As to the specific problem, thanks for your help. That worked. Regarding your criticism of my "workflow":

- I keep my RAW files on a separate hard drive, and, my wife is not familiar with Lightroom

- I have 2 years worth of RAW files on the external hard driver, versus 15+ years of photo memories in iPhoto

- it's much easier for my wife and I to browse the collection in iPhoto, which includes photos of family and friends that have passed away

Reply

Answer 4

Maginnis1951 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 8, 2015 6:30 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for your help. I'll continue to let Apple know what they missed on their latest updates. By the amount of feedback I see, they are bound to make changes in the near future.

In the meantime, I'll use iPhoto, since I have no specific reason to migrate to Photos at the moment.

Reply

Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Jul 8, 2015 7:56 AM in response to Maginnis1951

Since you split the RAW and JPEG files you might be best served to download your files to a folder on the Desktop, separate the RAW and JPEG files into 2 folders, store the RAW folder and import the JPEGS to your library.

Reply

Answer 6

Maginnis1951 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 8, 2015 12:21 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks, Old Toad, but ALL of my pictures are RAW, as I edit them in Lightroom and then export to the desktop as JPG files. They then get imported to the iPhoto library.

Reply

Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Jul 8, 2015 12:50 PM in response to Maginnis1951

get a message saying "ALERT The file xyz.jpg” could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found."

Terence addressed this issue with his response about Photos Advanced preference pane and copying photos into the library during import (i.e. a managed library).

If that box is unchecked and you move those folders from the Desktop to another volume and/or delete them from the Desktop after importing you will get that message. Move the folder w/files to another location on the same volume will not break the link.

Reply