Can't import/merge libraries
I have been having this problem for a long time and I am just about to give up on trying to solve it!
Ultimately - I can't merge two libraries. The process gets underway but only ever seems to get to about 80 or 90% (according to the status bar) and then goes no further.
Some more detail - My ideal workflow is to have multiple identical aperture libraries in different locations. One library (approx 16,000 managed images, 50GB) on a portable hard disk, then several others (identical) on different machines (Mac Pro at work, iMac and Mac Mini at home etc). I would then download new photos in to any of my libraries, and then import (File > Import > Library/Project > Merge) that whole library in to the others so that I maintain identical libraries. Sounds simple, and according to what Aperture should be able to do (as I understand it) it should be simple. But when I set the import process going, it just doesn't work.
For example - I recently added 60 new photos in 3 separate projects to my library on my portable disk. No problems. I then try to import that library in to any of my other libraries - The process begins and I can see the 3 new events are created (imported) in to the library, but the process never finishes. I have left it running overnight or longer (close to 24 hours) and the progress bar says 'Merging Library…' but doesn't get past about 80 or 90%. Aperture does not hang - so I am able to quit (not force quit). When I relaunch it, the 3 new projects are there but are empty - there is no sign of the 60 new photos anywhere. Funnily though, when I delete the 3 empty projects, it says there are now 60 items in the trash - but no sign of anything in there.
I'm assuming there is a 'glitch' somewhere in the database that is causing this… I have done a repair/rebuild on each my libraries multiple times but without success.
Notes
- all of my libraries are created as new (ie File > Switch to library > other/new > create new) or created by exporting all projects/folders/albums etc in entire existing library to a new library.
- I have tried importing/merging on several different machines (Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Macbook Pro) but have had the same (failed) results regardless.
- If I export new items as a separate library (eg the 60 photos in three projects from my previous example), I can then import them successfully in to the other libraries - but this is not ideal as I often make changes to the rest of my library (eg adjustments, keywords etc) which I would like to keep in sync over my multiple libraries.
Perhaps I just need to start over with a brand new library, but if that is the case, how do I get all of my projects/albums/masters/versions along with faces/places/metadata/adjustments/keywords etc etc in to a new library without copying across the 'glitch' in the database of my existing library as well?
Apologies for the long and rambling nature of this post, but I've tried to get all necessary info in here!
I am running the latest versions of Aperture and Snow Leopard
Aperture 3, Mac OS X (10.6.8)