How to import Raw + xmp files

Aperture cannot and will not read XMP sidecar files. That said, it should have no issues importing the RAW files themselves; you'll just lose your metadata.

I wish I knew. I'm not sure why it's not noting the photos as "importable."

FYI, here is the list of RAW formats supported by Aperture:

http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/raw.html

Where did the xmp files come from, ie. what app have they already been in?
What is the file extension?
Can the files be recognised in preview or any other program.

Should not make a difference but have your tried moving the folder to anther location other than the desktop, I have imported many images from the desktop so would doubt this, but need to cover all bases.

Can you drag the folder from the desktop into Aperture?
Have fiels been renamed since coming from the camera?
Can you rename a single file and see if AP sees it?

Took me a few lines but I think I have the answer, given they are from a 20D and 40D are the files Canon sRAW? If so they are not compatible with Aperture!

Tony

The general consensus is that Canon needs to differentiate their RAW and S-RAW files, the only way to distinguish them is by file size.

The 40D specs are, so the 20D will be similar(ish)
RAW: 12.4 M
sRAW (2.5 MP)

If your RAW files are smaller than the MP of the camera, you probably have raw files and will need to do a batch conversion to another file type if you want to bring them into Aperture.

Tony

Try having your assistant shoot a single picture with each camera, then try importing these directly into aperture without editing them in photoshop. That should at least tell you where the problem lies (with the raw file itself or with the photoshop step).