How to move the Pictures folder

[Sumotku]

to another drive, or in this case RAID array.

Mac has a grip on the Pictures folder and I'm trying to get it onto another drive and replace it with a symlink. I can handle the symlink if I could find out how to move that folder. Not using iPhoto, I've seen lots on that setup, this one is eluding me and I'm overdrawn at the google search bank.

Edit: I do not want to move the user Home folder entirely so that's out.

 

[ViRGE]

I'm assuming Finder won't let you move it? You could try using the mv (move) command in the console and see if that gets you anywhere.

e.g: sudo mv Pictures /Volumes/RAIDArray/<whatever>

 

[TheStu]

If you are not using iPhoto, what are you using that won't let you change the path? I seem to recall that Aperture lets you do it, and so would be surprised if any of Adobe's stuff didn't let you.

 

[Patranus]

A utility for any iPhoto user.
http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/

 

[Sumotku]

I forget the exact message, but attempts to relocate the Pictures folder result in a warning that it can't be moved and that the OS is dependent on it's location being where it is. I'm merely trying to separate the OS from the Images, it's for an image processing workstation.
I can try moving it in the terminal but was hoping for some sort of confirmation that it won't start something up that makes me wish I hadn't. Case in point, I moved the user's Home folder to the RAID and all sorts of undesirable changes took place, programs lost (Startup calibration loader), all user configurations reset to default, etc. That little command should come with heaping dose of caveats. I don't imagine I'm the first to need this. I know symbol links are a tried and true method of moving a file/folder so I may just have a whack at using the terminal to mv it. Thanks for the help with this.

 

[Patranus]

I forget the exact message, but attempts to relocate the Pictures folder result in a warning that it can't be moved and that the OS is dependent on it's location being where it is. I'm merely trying to separate the OS from the Images, it's for an image processing workstation.
I can try moving it in the terminal but was hoping for some sort of confirmation that it won't start something up that makes me wish I hadn't. Case in point, I moved the user's Home folder to the RAID and all sorts of undesirable changes took place, programs lost (Startup calibration loader), all user configurations reset to default, etc. That little command should come with heaping dose of caveats. I don't imagine I'm the first to need this. I know symbol links are a tried and true method of moving a file/folder so I may just have a whack at using the terminal to mv it. Thanks for the help with this.

Just open iPhoto, select all pictures, drag to destination.

I would highly recommend you check out that link I posted above.

You can also right click on the iPhoto library and select "show package contents" and then brows to the photos you want to move and drag and drop them.

 

[Sumotku]

Not sure how to do that when I don't have iPhoto. Perhaps you should have another look at the first post. thanks for trying though.

 

[Patranus]

Not really sure what you are trying to do but you could just make a photo folder on the RAID array and then make an alias to it and place that in the users home folder.

1) Log in as an administrator account (not the user trying to modify)
2) Navigate to user home directory
3) Get Info on picture folder and give yourself read/wire access
4) Delete picture folder
5) create alias to RAID array

Done.

 

[Sumotku]

I'm trying to move the Pictures folder to a RAID array. Using an alias leaves two Pictures links, one that the OS uses for everything, and one I made which will not translate to any other programs unless manually set up. If I can move the Pictures folder itself, all programs will know where it is, past present and most importantly future. I won't be able to administer this system once it's delivered. It's got to be clean, it's got to work and it's got to be future-proof.

Note that as mentioned above, your step #4 fails every time. It's just not allowed. Snow Leopard, if that matters.

Also note that cloning utilities see aliases as files, ignoring their content and will miss backing up those files linked elsewhere, so just not an option.

 

[Patranus]

Note that as mentioned above, your step #4 fails every time. It's just not allowed. Snow Leopard, if that matters.

Incorrect. I just tried it before I posted.

Again, log in as a DIFFERENT user with ADMINISTRATOR privileges and ensure that you edit the permissions on the folder via get info.


You can also do the following
Log in as Administrator
In terminal navigate to home folder

cd /Users/<username>

make folder to external drive

mkdir /Volumes/<external_hd>/Pictures

copy files to external drive

mv Pictures/* /Volumes/<external_hd>/Pictures/

delete original

rmdir Pictures

Create symbolic link to external drive

ln -s /Volumes/<external_hd>/Pictures Pictures

Logout
(also tested in a production environment)

(sorry for not reading the OP carefully enough)