AirPics Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to run AirPics Server?
AirPics Server reads your photos from iPhoto and optimises them on-the-fly for display on your iPad.
AirPics does not use the iPhoto Sharing feature found in the iPhoto preferences: AirPics Server performs this role instead to ensure the experience is as smooth as possible on your iPad.
I have several iPhoto libraries. How can I select which library is shown in AirPics?
AirPics uses AppleScript to ask iPhoto for album and photo information. Whichever library is currently selected in iPhoto will therefore be the library displayed with AirPics. To change the library iPhoto is using, restart iPhoto and hold down the Option key.
Does AirPics Server change any information in iPhoto?
No, it is read-only and does not change any photos or metadata in your iPhoto library. Regardless, we recommend you backup your iPhoto library frequently.
Can I password-protect my library with AirPics?
AirPics is intended for home/private use. It does not support password-protection.
At any time when AirPics Server is running on your Mac, all photos in your iPhoto library will be visible to all computers/devices on the same network without a password or any other restriction. AirPics Server does not use the iPhoto Sharing preferences, nor does it use the Sharing password.
We don't recommend using AirPics over public or corporate networks. This is especially important, for instance, if you run AirPics Server on a laptop that you take between home and work.
Does AirPics support RAW?
Yes, AirPics supports all RAW and JPEG photos in your iPhoto library.
I've got a great idea for a feature. How can I let you know?
There are many features we'd like to add to AirPics. Please vote for the feature you'd like to see next!
How can I view my iPhoto events?
AirPics does not directly support viewing iPhoto events. However, it is straightforward to create a smart album containing the same photos as an event, and view this in AirPics.
- In iPhoto, select File > New Smart Album…
- Set the criteria to "Event contains EVENT_NAME" where EVENT_NAME is the name of your iPhoto event
- Reload your albums in AirPics to see the new smart album
Why can't I see my iPhoto collection in AirPics?
Your Mac and iPad need to be connected to the same network.
Your iPad will be connected over Wi-Fi, and your Mac may be connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. If they're both on Wi-Fi, make sure they're using the same Wi-Fi network. If your Mac is connected over Ethernet, make sure it is plugged into your Wi-Fi router directly.
Once your Mac and iPad are on the same network, ensure AirPics Server is running on your Mac (download here). Once the server is running, you should see the name of your Mac appear in the AirPics iPad app.
Why does it take so long for my photos to appear?
Although AirPics optimises photos for streaming over Wi-Fi, performance is dependent upon many factors such as the speed and reception of your Wi-Fi network. To improve performance, ensure your Mac and iPad have good Wi-Fi reception. This can often be improved by moving closer to your Wi-Fi router, or positioning your router in a more central area.
What is the "recent" album at the top of the list in AirPics?
Due to a quirk in iPhoto's AppleScript support, this is the most recent event that you have looked at in iPhoto on your Mac. When you look at different events in iPhoto, this recent album will be updated in AirPics.
Can AirPics play movies stored in iPhoto?
No. Movies will be displayed in AirPics as a static image.
Why can't I zoom on AirPics as much as I can on iPhoto?
AirPics optimises your photos for speedy browsing which requires AirPics Server to reduce their size. The current size offers a good balance between zooming and browsing speed.
Please contact support@yellowbek.com if you can't find the answer to your problem here.
