Export iPhoto library as links.

If, as I do, you often need to use your image files with other applications or using scripts, you probably suffered from the so controversial file organization of iPhoto. This was a reason for not to use it.

Using this script, you can export selected pictures from iPhoto, but they are linked rather than copied. There is no disk space waste, nor disparity between copies.
Thus it is possible to organise photos in hierarchical folders, as you wish, while keeping the iPhoto library intact.

The script gives choice between aliases or symbolic links. If you don't know the point, use aliases (1).

In some case however, neither aliases nor links are satisfying, because some application are unable to manage and just ignore them.
Then you can use the third choice. The script moves picture files to the chosen folder and replaces them with aliases. Use with caution as side effects on iPhoto behavior are unknown. It is advisable to replace files in the iPhoto library before any modification on images. They can be moved again later.

Important : This operation is reversible. If run again, files are moved back in the iPhoto library and aliases are created in the chosen folder.

(1) For those who DO know about the pro and cons of symbolic links I'd say "go for it" , because :

• It saves disk space: symlinks use no other space than the "inode", while aliases do for resource fork. It may sum-up for numerous files.
• The Finder (in Panther at least, don't remember on Jaguar) can preview symlinked files but not always aliases.

Installation, usage:

• edit this file in the script editor to adjust variables here under
• save it under the name you like in the folder <you home>/Library/Scripts/iPhoto (this last folder iPhoto probably don't exist, create it)
• if the "Script menu" does not show up in the menu bar, run "Install script menu" which is in "Applications/AppleScript"
• click on the icon of the script menu, select "hide script library" to show only scripts relevant for the current application
• in iPhoto:
  • select some images or one album
  • click the script menu icon
  • select this script
  • on first run choose link type
  • select the destination folder
• in the Finder
  • check that the result is as you expected
• the script remember the link type. To change it, cancel the folder selection dialog.
• to cancel the whole operation, cancel the link dialog.

Provision has been made in the source to add message translations in other languages than French or English.

Download the script (zip 32 ko)

version 1.4.2: corrected bug exporting originals
version 1.4: liste_photos simplification
version 1.3: automatic language detection
version 1.2: strengthened UI
version 1.1: added end of job message
version 1.0: