Sandancer

Q: Where are my files stored fare consolidating my Photos library

MY Photos library is stored in my pictures folder on an external hard disk, and my photos are referenced from the same folder. I have discovered thet I can't see my photos on iCloud photos if referenced. If I consolidate my library changing the files to managed are the original files moved to the photos library or are they copies of the originals?

I have 200GB storage available on iCloud. I have an iMac 250GB available storage. How can I set my system up so my photos library is uploaded to iCloud photos and have the optimised photos on my iMac. I'm a little confused at the minute and are in need of help! Maybe from Leoni

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 1:06 AM

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Q: Where are my files stored fare consolidating my Photos library

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  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Feb 19, 2016 1:08 AM in response to Sandancer
    Level 10 (106,848 points)
    iLife
    Feb 19, 2016 1:08 AM in response to Sandancer

    CConsolidating will copy the refeenced files into the library.

  • by Sandancer,

    Sandancer Sandancer Feb 19, 2016 1:17 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Feb 19, 2016 1:17 AM in response to léonie

    Thank you for the swift reply.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Feb 19, 2016 2:00 AM in response to Sandancer
    Level 10 (106,848 points)
    iLife
    Feb 19, 2016 2:00 AM in response to Sandancer

    You're welcome

     

    I was traveling and had only my iPad when I saw your question.  Now I amback at my mac and can look at the second part:

     

    I have 200GB storage available on iCloud. I have an iMac 250GB available storage. How can I set my system up so my photos library is uploaded to iCloud photos and have the optimised photos on my iMac. I'm a little confused at the minute and are in need of help! Maybe from Leoni

    First you need to consolidate the referenced files  to be able to use them with iCloud Photo Library.

     

    Is iCloud Photo Library already enabled or are you just planning to use it?

     

    If you have not yet iCloud Photo Library enabled, move your Photos Library to your external drive.  Consolidate it there, where you have plenty of space.

    Then Enable iCloud Photo Library -without optimize storage -  and let the library upload. This 3ay your local version will remain complete and you can make a backup or repeatthe upload, if you should encounter problems.

     

    Once the library is in iCloud, create a new, empty Photos Library in your Pictures folder. Open this library in Photos, then make it your System Photo Library in the Preferences > general, make it your iCloud Photo Library in the Photos > Preferences > iCloud.

    Enable "Optimize Mac Storage".

     

    This way you will only download optimized versions and will start with a small local library, and do not have to wait for the library to shrink.

     

    The draw-back will be however, that that your faces thumbnails do not upload to iCloud.  You will have to label the thumbnails again.  Only the searchable faces tags will be there.  The library will download from iCloud to your mac as described here:   Use Photos and iCloud Photo Library on multiple Mac computers - Apple Support

     

    Upload and download my take a few days for a library of your size. 

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Feb 19, 2016 8:04 AM in response to léonie
    Level 10 (106,848 points)
    iLife
    Feb 19, 2016 8:04 AM in response to léonie

    See my edited post for the replyto the second part of you question.