How to Create a New Database

OsiriX and Horos Course · Database

In this video I show how to create another database in OsiriX (Database Folder). This is very useful for: Backup on an external hard drive Storing studies when the laptop's disk is running low on space Creating a separate database for old studies without “weighing down” the main database In the example, I already have the default database (Documents Database) and I create a second database on an external drive. 1) Create a new database (Database Folder) In OsiriX: Go to File → New Database Folder Choose the external disk (or another location) Create the folder (you can name it whatever you like) Confirm with Create From then on, you have two database folders available in OsiriX. 2) Move studies between databases (drag and drop) With both databases created: You can drag a patient/study from the main database to the new database In the video I move two studies to the external drive's database When you open the new database, the studies are already there. 3) What the “OsiriX Data” folder is (and what NOT to do) Inside the chosen location, OsiriX creates the structure called OsiriX Data, with the tree needed for the database to work. Important: Although it contains DICOM files, this is not a “regular DICOM folder”; it is a database I do not recommend manually editing the files inside this folder, to avoid messing up the structure and losing studies 4) Can I put the database in Dropbox? In theory it works, but with risks: If you keep everything synchronized and never open OsiriX on two computers at the same time using this same database, it can work. If you open it on two Macs simultaneously, OsiriX changes the database in real time and one does not “understand” the other's changes, which can corrupt the database and cause data loss. That is why I do not recommend this solution as a routine. 5) How to open this database on another computer If you created a database on an external hard drive and want to use it on another Mac: Connect the drive Go to File → Open Database Folder Select that database's OsiriX Data folder Click Open This creates the “link” to that database on the other computer. It works very well for sharing a portable database between several computers, as long as it is not at the same time. 6) Essential tip: keep the same OsiriX version If you use the same database on different computers: Keep all OsiriX installations on the same version A newer OsiriX may change the database in a way that the other (older) one cannot follow, which may cause loss of information/studies.