File duplication in Picasa or iPhoto?

[Traveller]

Since I am now producing large photographic images, I'm getting concerning about space issues and would appreciate responses to this question. If I don't store my images directly in iPhoto, when I import them there, are the image files actually being duplicated within iPhoto, e.g., if I have an 8 MB photo already stored on my drive and import it into iPhoto, is that image now taking up 16 MB?

Similarly, does this happen when the Picasa program on my computer uploads the images?

Thanks for any advice.

[jmb667]

Yes, iPhoto creates it's own copy of the file that lives in the iPhoto Library; you would then essentially be doubling the space you use.

I can't answer for Picasa, but I was under the impression that it was merely a browser and did NOT actually import the images.

[waffles]

It does import. But I'm not sure how it stores the photos. You can go back and undo anything you've done in Picassa so I'm assuming there's something.

But seeing as how I'm using about 85 gb right now and have another 280 or so free I'm not worrying about it yet.