iPhoto: About Importing Pictures From Hard Disk and Available Space
Summary
When you import pictures already saved on a hard disk into iPhoto, the application makes duplicate copies of the original files. Changes made to the pictures in iPhoto only affect the duplicated picture files stored in the iPhoto Library located in the Pictures folder. The original files are not changed.
Products Affected
iPhoto
When pictures are imported into iPhoto, a copy is made - either from the camera or from files stored on a disk. After importing, the pictures iPhoto uses are located in the iPhoto Library in the Pictures folder in the users home directory (see Figure 1). In the case of files stored on the computer's hard disk, duplicate files are created on the hard disk.
Note: Do not copy or move pictures directly into the iPhoto Library folder as they will not appear as an option in iPhoto when attempting to import.
Figure 1 Location of iPhoto Library
If there is a large existing collection of pictures on the hard disk, space on the disk may be dramatically reduced after importing the files.
Once the photos have been verified as successfully imported into iPhoto, the original files can be erased or copied from the computer's hard drive. Even though there is already a copy of the files in the iPhoto Library, you should seriously consider making backup copies of any irreplaceable files prior to erasing anything.
Additionally, do not remove or rename any of the files in the iPhoto Library folder as iPhoto requires these files to work properly.
To permanently delete a photo, select the Library, locate and select the photo, then press the Delete key. Do not remove the picture using the Finder or any other utility.
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