Can I import multiple folders at once?

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jtj3 Author

Level 1

1 points

Can I import multiple folders at once?

I'm pretty sure that Aperture won't support what I want to do...but I thought I'd ask anyway...

I'm converting to Aperture from Photoshop Elements. I've got all my photos arranged nicely in the following structure:

\Photo-directory

\year

\month

\mm-dd-yy some descriptive name for the shoot

When I try to import into Aperture, I have to navigate all the way to "...\mm-dd-yy some descriptive name for shoot" folder. Aperture is smart enough to figure out that I want to store these images in a project called "mm-dd-yy some descriptive name..."

But what I really want to do is this: tell Aperture "Start at /Photo-directory (or even /Photo-directory/year) and import all the images in all the sub-folders...and create projects using the lowest-level folder name as the project name."

Any way to do this? A "batch import folders" feature like this would be really sweet...

Aperture 3, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 15, 2011 2:25 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 15, 2011 3:17 PM in response to jtj3

You can import whole Finder trees via "File→Import Folders as Projects". Specify whether you want to end up with Folders/Projects, or Projects/Albums. (I always use Folders/Projects.)

There are many things to consider prior to importing your images and setting up your Library. Strongly suggest reading the User Manual chapter (click for link) --

Importing Images

especially the section

Importing Folders of Images from the Finder

You are going to want to fully understand the difference between a Managed Master and a Referenced Master before making the switch to Aperture. Additionally, get ready for the discomfort of moving from a file-manager approach (using the Finder) to an image-manager (using Aperture).

In Aperture, you organize your images -- but your images don't exist as image-format files usable by other programs until you export them.

Message was edited by: Kirby Krieger

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Answer 2

jtj3 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 15, 2011 6:14 PM in response to Kirby Krieger

Excellent, Kirby - very helpful, thank you!

I should have given more detail about my PSE to Aperture saga. I bought my Mac (and Aperture) back in November...I've been getting my head into the Aperture paradigm since then, and have slowly been converting my library over. I'm tired of converting it in bits and bobs, and thought doing a mass conversion would be better/simpler.

Thanks again for your advice, it's exactly what I needed.

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