Good evening. When I try to rename a master file or export a master file, it only allows 9 spaces for my new name, even though Aperature 3 allows many more spaces than that for version names. This creates a lot of problems and headaches for me.

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Level 1

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Good evening. When I try to rename a master file or export a master file, it only allows 9 spaces for my new name, even though Aperature 3 allows many more spaces than that for version names. This creates a lot of problems and headaches for me.

Good evening. When I try to rename a master file or export a master file, Aperature 3 only recognizes the first 9 spaces for raw .NEF files, even though it easily uses twice that many spaces for version names. I have a system in place that works really well for me, wherein by changing the file name I can recognize what's important to me just by glancing at the file name, no matter what system it is in, I do not have to open or mouse over anything to know what the file is. My files also arrange themselves in order no matter what file system they are in. Can someone please tell me if there is a setting, or something I am doing wrong, that prevents me from using a longer Master file name. I can't be the only person who would like to have his Master File names correspond to the name that appears in the Aperature library, and would like to use at least 16 spaces (numbers, letters, etc.)

Thanks,

Photo Al

Aperture 3, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Nikon .NEF files

Posted on Jun 17, 2012 7:57 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Jun 17, 2012 8:42 AM in response to Photo Al

Hello Photo Al,

maybe the NEF Format is restrictive; I don't have a camera with that RAW format, but for all other raw formats that I tried I had no problem to use longer filenames.

What I did:

Change the version name to a nice, longe name
Use "Metadata > Batch Change" from the main menu bar to change the master file name with the settings: "Version Name Format = current version name" and "Apply to Original Files".

Can it be that you try to use an illegal character in your file name? Can you give an example of the File name that you want to use?

Regards

Léonie

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Answer 2

Photo Al Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2012 10:15 AM in response to léonie

Hi Leonie,

Thanks for responding. I have been doing it the way you suggested, but it does not give enough spaces for .NEF files. Perhaps you are right about the .NEF files. Since .NEF files are relatively new, perhaps Aperature hasn't fine tuned the way it handles them yet. I noticed another problem with my .NEF files is that Aperature does not recognize the folders my Nikon camera creates, which Nikon always starts over with 001. This creates an import problem as I can have four different files beside each other with the same name, some of which I have already imported. Then I have to go through and click on the ones I want one by one! If I click on "no duplicates" than the new ones don't come in, and the "sort by date" isn't available until after I import.

I use all numbers, letters, and periods in my file number. It accepts all of those things for version names, and it

accepts them in shorter Master names.

Thanks for trying,

Photo Al

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Jun 17, 2012 10:24 AM in response to Photo Al

I have been doing it the way you suggested, but it does not give enough spaces for .NEF files.

I have trouble to understand how the space is restricted to enter the version name. The version name field is supposed to enlarge to several ines when you reach the end of the line. And you can adjust the width of the "Info" panel by dragging the handle at the right border. Have you tried to adjust the size of the panel to enlarge the textfields? Like this:

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Answer 4

Jun 17, 2012 10:59 AM in response to Photo Al

How are you tryig to set the master file name?

If you go to Metadata Batch changd and select custom you get:

What do you see? What happens when you try this?

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Answer 5

Photo Al Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 17, 2012 10:08 PM in response to léonie

LeonieDF,

I can change the version name to anything I want, but if I try to either apply that version name to the master file, or I try to export the master file with that version name it will limit me to 9 spaces. Also, strangely enough, if I export the master file and use about three different parts, such as "custom name" "counter" and "D90", it will carry all those spaces...more than 9! But the problem is I can only do that if the counter is going to match my existiing names, and even then I will still be stuck with an existing master file that doesn't match either my version or the new master, which still leaves me with some chaos.( Especially when I am importing files with the same names, that need to be changed to something more understandable, and especially as I import more and more to hard drives, I sometimes to to reconnect the referenced file, but ambiguous names make it awkward to do so.)

Thanks,

Photo Al

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Answer 6

Photo Al Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 18, 2012 3:39 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Hello Frank Caggiano,

If I go to the pop up box you have above, I do not have "Custom Name" as an option. I have "Custom Name with Index" and "Custom Name with Counter" but nothing that reads just "Custom Name". I don't know why your computer has it, while mine doesn't unless at some point it accidently got deleted. I guess that's fine since I don't want to change the names one at a time anyway. I either want to use a custom name with a counter or use the version names to batch change many photos at once. I usually choose "edit" from that drop down box, which takes me to the page that sets up how you want the name to be. For example, I may set mine up as "Custom Name" and "Counter" with "D90" typed at the end and a dot between "Custom Name" and "Counter" to make it easier to read. This always works for version names. But if I use the version names to export master files, again it limits me to the first 9 spaces. Then as multiple exported files with the same 9 digit name land in the folder it adds a number in parenthesis to keep them from having the same name. I can use this "Custom Name" ."Counter" "D90" process to export new master files and that will work, but that will only work for me when the counter numbers match up with what I already have and want. I hope you can follow all this :-). Let me know if you have any ideas as to how I can make things work more smoothly.

Photo Al

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Answer 7

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Jun 18, 2012 4:12 AM in response to Photo Al

If I go to the pop up box you have above, I do not have "Custom Name"

You can define your own presets, and I expect Frank did define "custom name".

At the bottom of the pop-up menu is the "Edit" item. Click it, and in the left pane of the panel that appears click the "+" button.

Then edit your own preset by dragging items to the format field.

Léonie

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Answer 8

Jun 18, 2012 7:23 AM in response to Photo Al

Sorry about the confusion. As Léonie wrote that was a preset I created. I did it so long ago I forgot it wasn't part of the standard set.

You keep mentioning that you get limited to 9 chars when naming the master. This is were the confusion lies. First there is no direct way to rename the master in Aperture you have to work through the version name. And all the places I can name versions allows for many more then 9 chars so I guess my question is where are you seeing this 9 char restriction?

If you were to list the exact steps you are taking when you try to rename the master (screen shots would be a big help) we might be able to figure out where the problem is.

Also if you could put one of your NEF raw files on the net somewhere, say dropbox, I could download it and try it here to see if there i really some strangeness with NEF files.

One final thing, while I hate to comment on posting styles it would make it a lot easier to read your posts if you could break them up into paragraphs. Getting one huge block of text makes it difficult to read and to find the pertinent information.

Anyway if you could list the exat steps you are taking and were the restriction pops up and place a NEF file online somewhere we shoudl be able to figure this out.

regards

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Answer 9

Photo Al Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 20, 2012 10:21 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Hi Frank,

As you suggested, I am attaching several screen shots. In the first one you can see how I set up my preset. I used "Custom Name" and "Counter" with a dot between the two drag ins, followed by "D90". I also have a dot to seperate the 8 digits in the Custom Name and make it easier to read.

I then click "OK" which takes us to the second screen shot. Here you can see that in the Example File Name everything looks perfect, and you can see I have clicked on "Apply to Master Files".

In the third screen shot you can see that the version in my library did in fact change correctly. With the "mouse over" pop up screen you can see, however, that the Master File name was changed to "1933.1017.NEF". It failed to carry the "12D90" and if I go to where my masters are stored that is exactly what the name was changed to.

In the fourth screen shot I attempt to export the master. You can see how my "Version Name" is set up.

And finally on the 5th screen shot you see in the File Name Example the name "1933.1017.NEF" once again, which when I export the master is exactly how the name will appear. Since I will export more than one file at a time , a (1) and a (2) etc., will appear at the end of the names because all the files are being given the same "1933.1017.NEF" name.

I hope this reply does a better job of clarifying my problem. I am anxious to see if this is something I simply misunderstood, or if I am simply doing something wrong.

Thanks,

Photo Al

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Answer 10

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Jun 20, 2012 10:32 AM in response to Photo Al

Al, it is not a good idea to use filenames with "dots" as part of the filename with an underlying UNIX system. It is just a hunch, but the "dots" as part of your custom name may be causing trouble. Would you mind testing this with an underscore "_" as separation character for a change?

Regards

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Answer 11

Jun 20, 2012 11:08 AM in response to Photo Al

Just tried this in Aperture here. Guess what this is a limitation (bug?) in Aperture 3.3

From 3.2.4

So looks like another bug in 3.3 unless anyone can think of a reason for the change?

To the OP report this using Aperture->Provide Aperture Feedback, there is a section for bugs.

regards

Ps Léonie's comments in using periods as file name separators sill holds. Its not a good idea and will cause you problems at some point. Better to stick to underscores of dashes.

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Answer 12

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Jun 20, 2012 11:20 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

I tried this in Aperture 3.3 using batch change with "Version Name" - what is the difference between our systems?

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Answer 13

Jun 20, 2012 11:23 AM in response to léonie

How did you change the name if you used batch change with version name? Had you already set the version name outside of batch change?

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Answer 14

Jun 20, 2012 11:27 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Ok right if I set the version name in the metadata pane (ah Info pane) and then use batch change to set the master name it works. But If I set both version name and master name in batch change it limits it to 9 chars

OP if you go to the Inspector and open the Info pane and type in a filename over 9 chars AND THEN go to Metadata batch change and just add the version name to the master file name does it work?

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Answer 15

Jun 20, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Ok multiple problems.

If I go to the Info pane and make a version name over 9 chars and apply it to the master in Metadata Batch change its ok.

If I make the version name over 9 chars but insert periods the master name is limited to 9 chars.

If I make the version name over 9 chars and use underscores as seperatores its OK.

I'm sure other combinations will have similar weirdness. In any case there is a bug here because in 3.2 none of this happens.

So to the OP fo rhte time being if you chnage to underscores you should be OK. I would still report this to Apple.

regards

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