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# Merging libraries from two different Macs

If you have iPhoto libraries on two separate computers and would like to merge them together into one library, the first thing you need to do is choose which machine you'd like to use to perform the merge (we'll call this the "merging machine"), and make both libraries accessible from that machine. This can be done a few different ways, including:

- Set up one machine to access the other machine's library directly over the network. Instructions for doing this can be found here.
- Rather than using the library directly over the network, you can instead first copy it to the merging machine's hard drive, and then perform the merge using the copy of the library instead. This is the recommended approach, assuming you have enough free space.
- Copy the library from the other machine onto an external hard drive, then connect that hard drive to the merging machine.
- Put the other machine into target disk mode and connect it directly to the merging machine

Once you have the library (or a copy of the library) accessible to the merging machine, next add the library to iPhoto Library Manager's library list. Once both libraries are visible in iPhoto Library Manager, you can the merge the libraries like any other libraries on your machine. If you would then like to use the merged library on both machines, simply copy the merged library back to the other machine and add it to iPhoto Library Manager so you can use it there as well.

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Creating a new library
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# Creating a new library

To create a new library, either click the "Create Library" button in the iPhoto Library Manager window, or select "Create Library" from the File menu. You will then be prompted to choose a name and location for the new library. When the library is first created, it will initially be empty, with no photos. To open your newly created library, double click on it, and iPhoto Library Manager will open the library in iPhoto for you.

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Adding an existing library >>
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