Q: Setting up Aperture
I am a novice mac user, but a very keen photographer. I have tried out iPhoto and decided to buy Aperture. I have selected the iPhoto library as the default library, but cannot work out if the default photo library for Aperture should be an Aperture library.
I would be grateful for some assistance
I would also appreciate suggested reading to explain the differ cues between project, albums, folders and vaults.
Many thanks in anticipation.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
Posted on Jun 6, 2013 12:26 AM
Hello Alan,
welcome to the Aperture Forum.
. I have tried out iPhoto and decided to buy Aperture. I have selected the iPhoto library as the default library, but cannot work out if the default photo library for Aperture should be an Aperture library.
Aperture's library format and iPhoto's library format are compatibe. Each Application can work very well with Libraries created by the other. with the exception of some products, like books or slideshows. See:
Aperture 3.3: Using a unified photo library with iPhoto and Aperture
You coud simply open your iPhoto library in iPhoto and use the command "File > Open Library in Aperture" to switch to Aperture and be done. Only unhide all photos you may have hidden in iPhoto before doing this or you will never see them again.
You can always swtch back to iPhoto using "File > Open Libray in iPhoto" and toggle between these two Applications.
The only reason you might want to convert the library to an Aperture library might be syncing with iTunes and the Media Browser. Picking the correct "Sync Photos from" can be confusing, if you are using an iPhoto Library with Aperture. You can convert your Library to an Aperture Library with ".aplibrary" extension by creating an empty Aperture library and merging the iPhoto Library into it .
Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
I would also appreciate suggested reading to explain the differ cues between project, albums, folders and vaults.
To get you started: See Kirby Krieger's great introduction:
The Well-Trod Path: a Beginner's Guide to how Aperture's major parts inter-relate
And I can also recommend to read the online version of the APerture manual - the first chapters will give you a very good introduction to the different parts:
Regards
Léonie
Posted on Jun 6, 2013 3:12 AM