KK1122
Level 1 (8 points)
iLife

Q: Help with WD MyCloud and Transferring Pics from iPhoto Library

Hi all,

 

Can anyone help me through the process to transfer the million pictures I have in my iPhoto Library to my WD MyCloud?  I have called WD many times and they insist it's an apple question and need apple support.  Anyone have success?

 

Thanks in advance,

Kristen

MacBook Pro

Posted on Aug 31, 2016 10:09 AM

by Terence Devlin,Apple recommended
Terence Devlin Terence Devlin
Level 10 (139,470 points)
iLife
A:

What exactly do you mean by "transfer"?

 

You can move an iPhoto Library easily enough. But you can't move it to a NAS (Networked Attached Storage, which is what your MyCloud is.) Why not? A NAS is essentially a headless computer with its own operating system - often a version of linux - and it's own disk format. Neither of these are appropriate for an iPhoto Library.

 

So: your options are as follows:

 

Only move the photographs themselves - which basically means you stop using iPhoto. To do this you export them from iphoto: File -> Export. This User Tip

 

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921

 

has details of the options in the Export dialogue.

 

Option two: assign you want to continue using iphoto but want the Library off your internal HD. Buy an external USB or Thunderbolt HD and use that:

 

Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

 

1. Quit iPhoto

2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.

3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.

4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.

 

In either case: You still need to back up your photos somewhere else. Regards TD

Posted on Aug 31, 2016 11:28 AM

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KK1122

Q: Help with WD MyCloud and Transferring Pics from iPhoto Library

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Terence Devlin,Apple recommended

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Aug 31, 2016 11:28 AM in response to KK1122
    Level 10 (139,470 points)
    iLife
    Aug 31, 2016 11:28 AM in response to KK1122

    What exactly do you mean by "transfer"?

     

    You can move an iPhoto Library easily enough. But you can't move it to a NAS (Networked Attached Storage, which is what your MyCloud is.) Why not? A NAS is essentially a headless computer with its own operating system - often a version of linux - and it's own disk format. Neither of these are appropriate for an iPhoto Library.

     

    So: your options are as follows:

     

    Only move the photographs themselves - which basically means you stop using iPhoto. To do this you export them from iphoto: File -> Export. This User Tip

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921

     

    has details of the options in the Export dialogue.

     

    Option two: assign you want to continue using iphoto but want the Library off your internal HD. Buy an external USB or Thunderbolt HD and use that:

     

    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

     

    1. Quit iPhoto

    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.

    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.

    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.

     

    In either case: You still need to back up your photos somewhere else. Regards TD