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Tell iPhoto to automatically consolidate images Apps
With the introduction of iPhoto 4, I decided to migrate my rather large and scattered photo library into its clutches. After the first round of imports, I noticed that I was left with what basically amounted to two sets of images; one in the original location, the other under the auspices of iPhoto. I was hoping for a consolidate photo library function similar to the consolidate function provided by iTunes. While this hint doesn't exactly provide that functionality, it does result in a single copy of images after import.

By making the following changes iPhoto will delete the images imported *after* asking if you are sure you wish to delete the files. As always, make a backup prior to any operation that could concievably result in lost data.
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto.plist DeleteFilesAfterImport\? YES
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto.plist DeletePhotosAfterImport YES
To restore your settings:
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto.plist DeleteFilesAfterImport\? NO
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto.plist DeletePhotosAfterImport NO
[robg adds: As noted, be very careful if you decide to change these settings -- once gone, you'll have great difficulty retrieving the files!]
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Tell iPhoto to automatically consolidate images
Authored by: Epicyon on Feb 26, '04 11:50:14AM
It appears I made a couple of errors when posting this originally. I couldn't find where to submit corrections, so I'll post the updated information here.

Since the keys already exist, they must first be deleted via:


defaults delete com.apple.iPhoto DeleteFilesAfterImport\?
defaults delete com.apple.iPhoto DeletePhotosAfterImport


Then add the keys with the value required to have the files deleted:


defaults write com.apple.iPhoto DeletePhotosAfterImport YES
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto DeleteFilesAfterImport\? YES


To restore to original settings:


defaults delete com.apple.iPhoto DeleteFilesAfterImport\?
defaults delete com.apple.iPhoto DeletePhotosAfterImport


Then add the keys with the value required to leave the original files intact upon import:


defaults write com.apple.iPhoto DeletePhotosAfterImport NO
defaults write com.apple.iPhoto DeleteFilesAfterImport\? NO
My apologies for not catching this earlier. As a consolation, the incorrect settings do not result in lost files.

[ Reply to This | # ]
A Better Archival Method
Authored by: schneb on Feb 26, '04 12:38:38PM

iPhoto is a terrible way to archive your valuable photos and Apple is yet to do it the right way (as mentioned, the iTunes way). So I use iView to index my photos (with an iView catalog in each major folder--I do it by year) and import into iPhoto when I want to produce a book, slideshow or print.



[ Reply to This | # ]
Tell iPhoto to automatically consolidate images
Authored by: dogboy on Feb 26, '04 12:56:25PM

Which version are you using? iPhoto 4 is great for organising photos.
Up until then I was using a custom built Filemaker database, but now I throw everything at iPhoto.

If you have your large images on CD then use Graphic Converter or something to batch process the files down to 1 meg and mark the CD with the same name as the film roll in iPhoto.

Voila! A fully indexed, searchable, visual database with quick reference to archived files.



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Tell iPhoto to automatically consolidate images
Authored by: wojoman on Oct 22, '05 07:16:20AM

I ould be very careful about doing anything with iPhoto. It is a notoriously unstable program that does not like to be messed with. All kinds of everyday actions can corrupt the datafiles.



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