iPhoto: Importing from remote device copies to local drive

berrida · 01-27-2007, 09:52 PM

This is driving me nuts:

I have linux server which holds all my music, photos etc. When I try to import the images into iPhoto (v6), the images ALWAYS get copied to my local HDD.

I've checked that the Copy files to iPhoto library folder when importing is unchecked in the advanced preferences. I've deleted and recreated the iPhoto library file multiple times.

Every time I import, the files are copied to the Data subdirectory of the iPhoto library and an alias is created in the Originals subdirectory.

All articles I've read re this feature of iPhoto suggests that it should be possible to build the library without the files being moved but I can't work out how. It's clear the preferences settings aren't working.

Thanks

Skybolt · 01-29-2007, 09:52 AM

Not sure what you are trying to do here, but it seems that you don't want the photos in your library. If they are not in your library, they are not accessible from iPhoto -- that's where iPhoto gets the photos. It is best to not do ANYTHING to photos from the library in finder -- havoc will certainly ensue. Anything you want to do with your photos should be done from within iPhoto (if, in fact, you want to use iPhoto). Just forget that the file in finder is there. You will ultimately be much happier.

berrida · 01-31-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm trying to add > 5 years worth of photographs which are accessed by a number of different machines and stored on a server to my iPhoto library. But in the same way that I can configure iTunes so that the files aren't actually copied to the hdd of my macbook I'd like to use iPhoto in this way.

It's my understanding that the advanced preferences should allow me to do this but it simply doesn't work. Even if I have photographs on a different folder on my macbook, when I add the folder to the library, all photographs are copied to the iPhoto library, resulting in 2 copies of the same images. This is just brain damaged. Picassa lets me store the files in a single, networked location on my PC, F-spot does the same on my linux box, iPhoto is doesn't. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong?

Skybolt · 01-31-2007, 07:10 PM

Maybe what you actually want to do is to have multiple libraries. I'm still not sure where you are going with this, but, if you want the photos to stay where they are, but still be accessible via iPhoto, you can create more libraries and then just tell iPhoto which library you want to open at any given time.

To do this, start iPhoto, holding down the Option key, and you will be prompted to either open a new library (and you can navigate to it in the normal manner) or choose an existing library (again, you can navigate to it). Is this what you are looking for?

berrida · 01-31-2007, 08:49 PM

Thanks Mary, that's a decent half-way-house. What I'm really looking for is to be able to have a local library file that references all of the photographs on a remote drive (not create another library on that drive).

It's my understanding that by *unchecking* the Advanced Preferences option: Importing: Copy files to iPhoto Library folder when adding to library should allow me to do this. I've read some articles/posts that indicate unchecking this box leaves the image files where they are and creates aliases to those files in the iPhoto Library location. However, my experience is that even when I uncheck this box, iPhoto creates both an alias and copies the actual file to the library. This doubles that amount of space that the photographs are taking up on various disks as I now have one copy on my file server and another copy on my Macbook.

What's confusing is that some people obviously see this functionality as working, so either I have something configured strangely, or it doesn't actually work as advertised.

Thanks again for your help.

rfhandel · 02-03-2007, 09:37 AM

For what it is worth, I have been able to use the unchecked box in the preferences to point files on a remote server. It duplicates the library structure (date, etc.), but the actual file itself is an alias pointing to the original file on the server. However, as a warning, this becomes a pain on a laptop when this server is not in range. iPhoto whines and complains because it cannot find the server--and now that I have had a HD crash on me with my photos, I see no way to easily disassociate the copies on the server with my MacBook library. I have been able to save the data, but I can't seem to re-associate without having the same identical server information.

01-27-2007, 09:52 PM	#1
berrida Prospect Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	iPhoto: Importing from remote device copies to local drive This is driving me nuts: I have linux server which holds all my music, photos etc. When I try to import the images into iPhoto (v6), the images ALWAYS get copied to my local HDD. I've checked that the Copy files to iPhoto library folder when importing is unchecked in the advanced preferences. I've deleted and recreated the iPhoto library file multiple times. Every time I import, the files are copied to the Data subdirectory of the iPhoto library and an alias is created in the Originals subdirectory. All articles I've read re this feature of iPhoto suggests that it should be possible to build the library without the files being moved but I can't work out how. It's clear the preferences settings aren't working. Thanks

01-29-2007, 09:52 AM	#2
Skybolt Triple-A Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 249	Not sure what you are trying to do here, but it seems that you don't want the photos in your library. If they are not in your library, they are not accessible from iPhoto -- that's where iPhoto gets the photos. It is best to not do ANYTHING to photos from the library in finder -- havoc will certainly ensue. Anything you want to do with your photos should be done from within iPhoto (if, in fact, you want to use iPhoto). Just forget that the file in finder is there. You will ultimately be much happier. __________________ Mary

01-31-2007, 07:10 PM	#4
Skybolt Triple-A Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 249	Maybe what you actually want to do is to have multiple libraries. I'm still not sure where you are going with this, but, if you want the photos to stay where they are, but still be accessible via iPhoto, you can create more libraries and then just tell iPhoto which library you want to open at any given time. To do this, start iPhoto, holding down the Option key, and you will be prompted to either open a new library (and you can navigate to it in the normal manner) or choose an existing library (again, you can navigate to it). Is this what you are looking for? __________________ Mary

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01-31-2007, 01:50 PM	#3
berrida Prospect Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	I'm trying to add > 5 years worth of photographs which are accessed by a number of different machines and stored on a server to my iPhoto library. But in the same way that I can configure iTunes so that the files aren't actually copied to the hdd of my macbook I'd like to use iPhoto in this way. It's my understanding that the advanced preferences should allow me to do this but it simply doesn't work. Even if I have photographs on a different folder on my macbook, when I add the folder to the library, all photographs are copied to the iPhoto library, resulting in 2 copies of the same images. This is just brain damaged. Picassa lets me store the files in a single, networked location on my PC, F-spot does the same on my linux box, iPhoto is doesn't. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong?

01-31-2007, 08:49 PM	#5
berrida Prospect Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Thanks Mary, that's a decent half-way-house. What I'm really looking for is to be able to have a local library file that references all of the photographs on a remote drive (not create another library on that drive). It's my understanding that by unchecking the Advanced Preferences option: Importing: Copy files to iPhoto Library folder when adding to library should allow me to do this. I've read some articles/posts that indicate unchecking this box leaves the image files where they are and creates aliases to those files in the iPhoto Library location. However, my experience is that even when I uncheck this box, iPhoto creates both an alias and copies the actual file to the library. This doubles that amount of space that the photographs are taking up on various disks as I now have one copy on my file server and another copy on my Macbook. What's confusing is that some people obviously see this functionality as working, so either I have something configured strangely, or it doesn't actually work as advertised. Thanks again for your help.

02-03-2007, 09:37 AM	#6
rfhandel Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1	For what it is worth, I have been able to use the unchecked box in the preferences to point files on a remote server. It duplicates the library structure (date, etc.), but the actual file itself is an alias pointing to the original file on the server. However, as a warning, this becomes a pain on a laptop when this server is not in range. iPhoto whines and complains because it cannot find the server--and now that I have had a HD crash on me with my photos, I see no way to easily disassociate the copies on the server with my MacBook library. I have been able to save the data, but I can't seem to re-associate without having the same identical server information.