iPhoto can't find Aperture library files

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iPhoto can't find Aperture library files

Since Apple added the ability to open Aperture libraries in iPhoto, I've been unable to so with my main Aperture library. If I create a new library in Aperture, no problem. Upgraded the library when the latest versions were released, performed all command-option first aid when opening, multiple times, duplicated, moved the library between different drives, relocated originals (it was completely managed), checked and played with permissions, all to no avail. When I open iPhoto, it brings up a notification that it's updating thumbnails. Then I immediately get the error "The photo “xxxxxxxx.JPG” could not be opened, because the original item cannot be found." I cancel and another immediate error, this continues on seemingly forever, and, with thousands of pictures in the library, I've basically got to Force Quit. The library is on an external drive and I've tried this on 3 Macs with the same result. If I'm within Aperture and search for any of the photos that iPhoto couldn't find, they're there and Aperture can show me them in the Finder. However, what I noticed today is that if I perform a manual search from the Finder of the library, it doesn't find the file. Oddly, if there are similar names; img_001 and img_001(1), searching for "img_001" won't show the first exactly matching file at all, but will show the second. Although, I can browse and they're sitting there right next to each other. Again, same behavior on multiple Macs. I'm thinking that the Finder behavior and iPhoto issue may be related. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Dave

Posted on Nov 23, 2012 11:02 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Nov 23, 2012 3:00 PM in response to Psk628

Dave, how is your external drive formatted? Mac OS X Extended, or still the default MS-DOS (FAT)? If your external drive is not formatted Mac OS X Extended (Journaled), I'd move the library to a different drive and reformat the drive with Disk Utility.

What exactly are your Aperture version and iPhoto version?

Have you tried to trouble shoot your Aperture library? I'd try to use the "Library First Aid Tools" and repair permission and repair the library, or rebuild it, if necessary:

Repairing and Rebuilding Your Aperture Library: Aperture 3 User Manual

Oddly, if there are similar names; img_001 and img_001(1), searching for "img_001" won't show the first exactly matching file at all, but will show the second

This looks, like the filenames of your files may contain invisible characters. I'd try to copy the filenames in the Finder and paste it into a text editor, that can be set to show invisible characters.

Regards

Léonie

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Answer 2

Psk628 Author

Level 1

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Nov 23, 2012 8:03 PM in response to léonie

Léonie,

Thanks for the response. All my volumes are formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). I've messed with permissions, including setting to ignore, which is what I've always used. I've moved the library around to multiple external volumes with no luck. And the problem originally started on an internal volume. Aperture version 3.4.3 and iPhoto 9.4.2. I've tried all 3 first aid options, repair permissions, repair database, and rebuild, probably 5 times each. I like your last theory, and I've dug into that a bit. I've copied the file name and seemingly pastes perfectly normally. I can copy the filename, paste into search, and it won't find it. And yet it will find the filenames with the same character strings as noted above.

Stumped.

Thanks again,

Dave

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

194,653 points

Nov 24, 2012 5:29 AM in response to Psk628

Dave,

you can check the filenames in the Terminal: the "ls -B" command will list the filenames and show invisible characters:

Open a terminal window
Type into the window (but do not yet enter "return" or "enter")
ls -B
add a "space" character, then drag one odf the suspect image files into the Terminal window, right behind the "space" character. Then hit "enter" or return.

What do you see?

If indeed the filenames should be corrupted by invisible characters, you could try to fix this in Aperture by batch changing the version names (Metadata > Batch change) and selecting to apply the changes to the original files.

Regards

Léonie

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Answer 4

Psk628 Author

Level 1

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Nov 26, 2012 4:57 PM in response to léonie

Léonie,

Results as follows:

Mac-Mini:~ Dave$ ls -B /Volumes/My\ Passport\ for\ Mac/Photos/IMG_0030.JPG

/Volumes/My Passport for Mac/Photos/IMG_0030.JPG

Mac-Mini:~ Dave$ ls -B /Volumes/My\ Passport\ for\ Mac/Photos/IMG_0030\ $1$.JPG

/Volumes/My Passport for Mac/Photos/IMG_0030 (1).JPG

The first command shows one of the problem files. Second command shows a similar file that has no issues. Nothing apparent problems to me from this test.

I also copied the problem file along with the non-problem file with the similar filename (1) to my desktop. When I begin any search string, the problem file disappears. If I completely rename it including extension, it disappears. If I make a copy and change it's name, neither show up. It seems as though there is some attribute of this file, all copies, and a bunch of others in my photo database, that is causing some kind of issue. I've taken a look at both file's info and there appears to be no differences, including permissions. Appears to be more of a file system/finder problem. I may try a different community.

Thanks again.

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