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amagab · Nov 26, 2007, 09:52 PM

It really bugs me that I have to import photos to iPhoto before I can view them. I wish I could use a photo software that picks up any photo that is placed in the Pictures folder. There are plenty such software for PC. Is there any for Mac?

All I want to do is to copy my pictures from my flash card into my Pictures folder on my Mac. Then use a photo software to view/edit my pictures. I don't want to remember to import the pictures every darn time.

What should I do? Is there a fix to this or what software should I get?

Please advice!!

ginoledesma · Nov 26, 2007, 10:42 PM

You can always use Image Capture to do that, and use whatever software app you want to do for viewing or editing.

Art Vandelay · Nov 26, 2007, 10:43 PM

Why not import it into iPhoto directly from the flash card?

amagab · Nov 26, 2007, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by ginoledesma

You can always use Image Capture to do that, and use whatever software app you want to do for viewing or editing.

Sorry, Image Capture to do what?

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Why not import it into iPhoto directly from the flash card?

I want to skip the "import" step altogether. It's an unnecessary extra step in my opinion. I never had to import anything when using PC. Don't get me wrong, I love my Macs. But I don't have any satisfying solution for viewing/editing pictures. I guess the same goes with iTunes. I want to skip the Import step there too.

I would be really darn happy if someone could guide me to a software that takes care of this.

Thanks!

frdmfghtr · Nov 26, 2007, 11:08 PM

All I want to do is to copy my pictures from my flash card into my Pictures folder on my Mac. Then use a photo software to view/edit my pictures. I don't want to remember to import the pictures every darn time.

I don't see the difference between the importing to iPhoto and copying to the Pictures folder.

Instead of copying them to the Pictures folder, drop them right into the iPhoto icon. OK, you have to click the "import" button, but is it that hard, really? Plus, the viewing/editing software (i.e. iPhoto) is already open now.

If you're taking pictures off a flash card from a camera, it's a very simple process; I don't know how simpler it can get.

(1) Plug camera into computer

(2) Start iPhoto (if it hasn't started already when plugging in said camera)

(3) Click "import."

But, to answer the question..no, I don't know of any software, aside from what may have come with your camera (assuming that is what is putting the pics on the flash card in the first place).

steve626 · Nov 26, 2007, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by amagab

I want to skip the "import" step altogether. It's an unnecessary extra step in my opinion. I never had to import anything when using PC. Don't get me wrong, I love my Macs. But I don't have any satisfying solution for viewing/editing pictures. I guess the same goes with iTunes. I want to skip the Import step there too.

I would be really darn happy if someone could guide me to a software that takes care of this.

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because my PC-using friends have always been very jealous of the built in Mac software for handling music files and photos. They tell me that the Mac solutions are much more user friendly and less buggy. One just bought a MacBook laptop for this very reason (she still has her desktop PC but uses the Mac for all images, photos, music, movies etc.).

It seems to me that importing takes the same amount of "labor" as dragging a bunch of files to a folder, which is what you wanted to do anyway.

You can set your Mac so the default program to open photo files is iPhoto and the default for music files is iTunes. Then you can just double click on a file (or multiple files) and they get imported automatically.

[Or you can just select a bunch of files and indicate under the File menu in the Finder indicate "open with" iPhoto (or iTunes).]

By the way, on PCs the preferred program (by the masses) is iTunes for music files.

If iPhoto is not good enough for you, you can use Photoshop Elements instead to organize your photos.

amagab · Nov 26, 2007, 11:23 PM

I like to organize things my way, not iPhoto's way. I don't mind dragging it to folders. That is what I've done the last 10 years.

I view my pictures using Xee, which is simple and very fast. I rarely edit picture but if needed I use Fireworks (yes, maybe not the most appropriate but I'm in web design so it just kind of happened that way).

I'm not here to argue PC vs Mac. I love my Macs and I am not switching back. I was just saying that there are more options on PC....with Mac it feels like I have to do it the Mac way or the highway. I really just want to do it my way. Good 'ol Frank.

IceEnclosure · Nov 27, 2007, 01:22 AM

plug in via USB, camera or memory card.

image capture loads automatically.

browse images, select only the ones you want, drag them to a folder.

that's what I do.

zro · Nov 27, 2007, 08:50 AM

iPhoto's way? A big misconception of people who think they like to "do it themselves" in the Finder.

The user decides how to organize photos in iPhoto. iPhoto makes no albums nor adds any comments, titles, or tags to the pictures. You do.

amagab · Nov 27, 2007, 09:30 AM

I apologize for my early judgment. It seems as the more I learn about iPhoto the more I like it. I expected it to be a bit more user friendly and intuitive from start, especially being an Apple product.

analogika · Nov 27, 2007, 12:00 PM

It's basically *exactly* like iTunes, from the user interaction standpoint.

ginoledesma · Nov 27, 2007, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by amagab

Sorry, Image Capture to do what?

IceEnclosure has answered this already, but to repeat, use Image Capture to do what you want to do -- get the photos from your memory card onto the Pictures Folder. "Importing" or "copying" -- same underlying process, really.

I've given up on managing photos using the Finder because, with the amount of pictures I snap (click as many times, select the good ones later), it's much easier to deal with it from iPhoto and then sort/tag/categorize/rename/group them.

JustinHorne · Nov 27, 2007, 05:26 PM

Also, itunes doesn't have to "import" files into it, under preferances> Advanced, uncheck "keep itunes library organized" and "copy files into the itunes library."

- - e r i k - - · Nov 27, 2007, 07:11 PM

This is just another "afraid of change even if it's for the better" user case. Same thing with people who "liked" to organise their MP3s in the file system. It just so happens that specialised browsers like iTunes and iPhoto does it a whole lot better without having to micromanage your physical files.

Curiosity · Nov 28, 2007, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by amagab

I want to skip the "import" step altogether. It's an unnecessary extra step in my opinion. I never had to import anything when using PC. Don't get me wrong, I love my Macs. But I don't have any satisfying solution for viewing/editing pictures. I guess the same goes with iTunes. !

If you mean add images from the normal file system, why not use drag and drop?