How can I sort my projects manually in Aperture 3?
When I try to move a project up or down, it doesn't stay at the position where I want it, but jumps to the top!
(I think this worked before, but now not any more.)
Thanks.
Can you please tell us your Aperture version, MacOS Version? Did you install or updte anyting recently?
Can you please tell us your Aperture version, MacOS Version?
- Aperture 3.2.1
- OS X Snow Leopard Build 10K549
Did you install or updte anyting recently?
Hmmm... Just the normal updates via "Software Update..." or App Store updates.
coxorange wrote:
- OS X Snow Leopard Build 10K549
... Version 10.6.8.
Hello, I was asking all that questions to see, if we are running the same versions on the same platform.
On my systems, Lion, 10.7.2, and Snow Leopard, 10.6.8, the new Aperture version is running smoothly, and the order of projects in the Library Inspector can be arranged by dragging the projects, without any jumping.
So I assume their might be something wrong with your Aperture Library or settings. Have you tried the Aperture 3 Trouble Shooting Basics http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3805?
I forget to ask: Have you checked the setting for "keep your projects and albums arranged by"? This should be set to manually, if you want to arrange them by dragging.
This setting is disclosed by the little cog wheel in the upper right corner of the Library Inspector.
Thanks for your answers!
leonieDF wrote:
On my systems, Lion, 10.7.2, and Snow Leopard, 10.6.8, the new Aperture version is running smoothly
My Aperture is also running smoothly. I just have this one issue.
Have you tried the Aperture 3 Trouble Shooting Basics http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3805?
Yes, I've tried the first two options (Repair permissions and Repair Database) but that didn't help.
Have you checked the setting for "keep your projects and albums arranged by"? This should be set to manually, if you want to arrange them by dragging.
This setting is disclosed by the little cog wheel in the upper right corner of the Library Inspector.
Yes, this setting is (and was) correct.
Hmm, then I would suggest to try to narrow the possible errors down a bit:
/Users/your short username/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Aperture.plist
from your user library.
Let us know if you find something
Regards
Léonie
leonieDF wrote:
- [1] To exclude faulty preference settings: Start Aperture from a different User account and see if you can arrange your projects there. If you can work from another account without problems, then Aperture and your system probably are o.k., but either your preferences or your Aperture library are faulty.
- [2] Check next if your library might be corrupt: Open Aperture from your regular account, but create a new small test library . If you can work with this without problems, you will know that the library itself is to blame, otherwise probably the Aperture preference file.
- [3] If you think the library maybe corrupt, then back up everything and rebuild the library,
- [4] If you think the preferences are to blame, then remove the file
/Users/your short username/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Aperture.plist
from your user library.
[1] I set up a standard test user account and opened Aperture. Since there were no projects (Aperture looked completely fresh & empty), I created a few projects with some test pictures. There was no problem - I could easily arrange the projects. I went back to my normal user account and deleted the test account.
[2] In my normal user account I created an additional test library, there I created a few projects with some test pictures. Again, no problem with arranging the projects. I found no way to delete the test library within Aperture. Can I only do this via the Finder?
Not sure what to do next, [3] or ]4]:
[3] (I would do this as the LAST option. Would a Time Machine backup and a copy of that backup be enough before rebuilding my library?)
[4] I guess [4] is easier and faster to do first.
What is stored in this "com.apple.Aperture.plist" file - only the settings caused by the Preferences dialog?
What can I do to preserve my preferences - just make screenshots of all Preferences tabs to remember all settings?
If it turns out that this option doesn't help, could I copy my old "com.apple.Aperture.plist" file back to where it was?
Danke, Leonie!
From [1] it seems that your Aperture and System work fine, good to know.
[2] In my normal user account I created an additional test library, there I created a few projects with some test pictures. Again, no problem with arranging the projects.
So your Aperture.plist preference file also seems to be o.k.
I found no way to delete the test library within Aperture. Can I only do this via the Finder?
Yes, you just drag the test library to the trash.
If the problem only occurs when you work with your regular Aperture Library, then I am afraid your Library probably is corrupted.
[3] (I would do this as the LAST option. Would a Time Machine backup and a copy of that backup be enough before rebuilding my library?)
Create the backup, while Aperture is not running, just to be sure. Do you have a referenced Library and are your masters backed up elsewhere? A time machine backup or a copy of your library on an external disk should suffice.
[4] I guess [4] is easier and faster to do first.
What is stored in this "com.apple.Aperture.plist" file - only the settings caused by the Preferences dialog?
Part of your settings is stored there, but mostly your most recent uses: the path to your Aperture Library, so that the Media Browser can find it, the directories from which you imported files etc.
You can browse this preference file with Xcode, if you have this editor installed. It might be installed in the /Developer Folder on your system drive.
To remove the preference file quit Aperture if it is running, then reveal your User Library in the Finder, if you left it hidden:
Activate the Finder and click the "GO"-Drop down menu in the main Finder Application menu, hold down the option key while you browse the menu, this will show the hidden library.
Open the Library Folder and navigate to
Library -> Preferences -> com.apple.Aperture.plist
Move the com.apple.Aperture.plist -file to the Desktop or somewhere safe, so you can restore it later, if need be.
Log out and log in again, then open Aperture and see if it helped.
If it did not help you can quit Aperture again, and replace the new preference file by your old file.
It is up to you if you will risk to rebuild the the library. It might take a long time.
Good Luck
Many thanks for your detailed answer! Now I found out something which seems to be incredible:
On another Mac I had a copy of my library as it was BEFORE I added new projects some days ago.
I tried this old version and there it was still possible to arrange the projects manually!
I double checked on my original Mac and noticed I can still arrange the OLD projects, but not the NEW projects (Sorry, I haven't noticed this earlier because there was no need to arrange the old ones.)
The only difference between OLD and NEW projects was the WAY they were created:
The OLD projects were created by right-clicking on "Projects" (top item in Library), then "New" > "Project".
Then I dragged pictures into that project.
The NEW projects (which I can't arrange manually!) were created by dragging folders containing pictures on "LIBRARY" - I thought this was more convenient because the folder names were used by Aperture as project names.
To confirm this odd behaviour I added some folders with pictures on that other Mac, and again I couldn't arrange the new projects. (I can still arrange the old projects there, too.)
Please try it! Is this a bug?
But the question remains: How can I arrange the NEW projects?
(I did a lot of editing within these new projects and deleting all and then adding the projects again the "old" way would cause a lot of work.)
Congratulations, that is a very interesting discovery.
Please try it! Is this a bug?
I tried it - and risked to corrupt my library as well - you are asking a lot 😝
I can't confirm this behaviour on my machine, but I am running Lion, not Snow Leopard. Also, my Library is a managed library, is yours managed too?
Is this a bug?
Test this again with a new Test Library by dropping folders into the Aperture window and trying to arrange them.
If it does not work with a new Test library in a new test account, then probably it is a bug.
I recommend to use such a test Library to find out, if rebuilding the Library can solve this problem.
If rebuilding the library does not help, you can save some work by creating new projects and moving the images from your old projects to the new projects. That would be much quicker than importing all those files again.
The screen shot you posted doesn't show projects in folders it just shows project some of which contain sub containers.
So could you clarify this:
The NEW projects (which I can't arrange manually!) were created by dragging folders containing pictures on "LIBRARY" -
And if you dragged folders whee are those folders now?
The NEW projects (which I can't arrange manually!) were created by dragging folders containing pictures on "LIBRARY" - I thought this was more convenient because the folder names were used by Aperture as project names.
Frank, the Folders he is talking about are Finder Folders - the Finder Folder name turns into the name of the Aperture project. That is what I could reproduce by doing the same.
Ah ok thanks for the claification.
Do you know what the sub containers are in the projects created this way? If you look at his screen shot you'll see some of the projects have the disclosure triangle next to them. Did you get the same thing when you dragged folders into Aperture?
regards
I dropped three different folders with image files into the Library Inspector Window, two onto the "Projects and Albums" title, one onto a folder.
The two that I dropped onto "Projects and Albums" showed up in "Projects View" under "Projects not in a Folder", the other two correctly in the Folder I dragged them to.
If you look at his screen shot you'll see some of the projects have the disclosure triangle next to them. Did you get the same thing when you dragged folders into Aperture?
No, I did not produce disclosure triangles by dragging picture folders from the Finder to Aperture. All I got were plain project icons.
I have however some disclosure triangles on projects in my Library, those belong to projects with local smart albums, like this:
Regards
How can I sort my projects manually?
