Looking for the best Aperture replacement now that my back is against the wall... Considering Mylio or Picktorial or Luminar. I would like the closest to Aperture's DAM features and editing levels. I am not a pro, just a hobbyist with tons of photos and I don't want to have to reinvent the whole setup. Not happy with Photos as a replacement.
MacBook, OS X 10.11
I do not like the DAMs anyway, that are basically using the Finder for storage. For my workflow a referenced library is very risky.
I would have agreed with you when I used first iPhoto and then Aperture. But now, using Lightroom Classic I have had multiple flawless updates and upgrades, and that's with the library db on the internal disk and the file storage on externals. It really is very robust. It does take discipline, though, and you need to only access the files via the DAM, but then LRC is so good at sharing the images to other Raw processors or image editors, that it is a really good central hub.
That said, much as I have come to admire it, I still wouldn't say I love it...
And some attempts to offer a minimalistic DAM are losing the connection to the referenced images with every major software update, for example HoudahGeo lost all references, when I updated it, also Luminar 4, when I installed the update for the Big Sur version. (At least HoudahGeo included a warning in the Release Notes, that we should finish any project before the upgrade; Luminar did not include a warning that the catalogue would need reconnecting). I do not like the DAMs anyway, that are basically using the Finder for storage. For my workflow a referenced library is very risky.
Thanks so much. You confirmed what I've been thinking. I bit on Luminar a couple of years ago and quickly discovered how right you are.
I've always heard Lightroom has a bigger learning curve. I'm sure I could learn it but would really like something close enough to Aperture that I don't have to relearn a lot of stuff. Aperture has been perfect for me, and until I learned Mojave would kill it I kept holding out hope.
Really appreciate your input, thanks!
I would but I'm quite anti Adobe now with their monopolistic subscription model. Just hoping one day Serif makes a DAM program for the Affinity suite.
I have this question too. I use Pages for engineering reports and want a drag and drop editor that works with Pages. Which ones do that?
What is a drag and drop editor? Do you mean an app that manages images and can share them easily to Pages? Photos is the very obvious choice.
I migrated all my Aperture libraries to Lightroom and now I could never imagine going back to Aperture. LR is far better at managing your photos (it doesn't hide them in its own file structure but rather allows you to use any folder/file structure that you can dream up) and the editing tools are superior as well.
There's a program on the App Store called "ApertureExporter" and it makes the job of exporting your files out of Aperture much easier than it would otherwise be.
Mylio is the only one of the apps that you named that is anywhere close to Aperture's DAM capabilities. Luminar is a triumph of marketing over capability. Avoid it. Pictorial is nothing special.
If you want to match the DAM and editing capabilities of Aperture then Lightroom Classic is your best bet. But this has been discussed endlessly over the five years since the Aperture was killed off, so search the forum, download the trials and kick the tyres on them till you find the one that works for you.
Incidentally LR has a tool built-in to move Aperture libraries over.
Simply: you won't find anything that matches Aperture for power and ease of use. But LR Classic is close and there is a vast array of learning tools available - entire websites, plus thousands upon thousands of YouTube videos - out there for free. Yes, it takes a little time to get the hang of it, but it's not that difficult.
I'm not sure how a subscription model makes them monopolistic, especially when they have significant competitors in the space: CaptureOne, OnOne, Mylio, Exposure et al.
Just hoping one day Serif makes a DAM program for the Affinity suite.
Isn't that just a bit like hoping Aperture comes back or Luminar keep any of their promises for a DAM? Serif have only been taking about a DAM for five years now, and still no sign.
Best Aperture replacement in late 2020?
