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Aperture library size

HI all,


Can someone explain to me why after importing a 139Gb iphoto library into Aperture, the Aperture librbary file is 250Gb?


If I look at the 2 database they both have the same amount of originals and versions.


Is there any great advantage importing the iphoto library over just having Aperture open it as is?


thanks in advance.

Posted on Dec 7, 2012 12:11 PM

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7 replies

Dec 7, 2012 12:52 PM in response to Nicholbutt

You should have roughly the same size for the iPhoto library and the Aperture library, unless you have set a really huge "preview" size or imported everything twice. Or is your iPhoto library a referenced library? Did you not import all original image files into your iPhoto library?


You may want to look into the libraries and compare the sizes of the folders "Masters" and "Previews" for the two libraries. Also have a look at the iPod Photo Cach folder.


To open the Aperture library or the iPhoto libray ctrl-click the package in the Finder and select "Show Package Contents" from the pop-up menu. This will open a Finder window with the folders inside the library package. Don't remove or change anything; only ook at the sizes of the folders.


Which of the folders have grown in size, after you imported the library into Aperture?


Regards

Léonie

Dec 7, 2012 2:56 PM in response to Nicholbutt

and do I really need an aperture database if aperture can use the iphoto library database?

If you do not have any other libraries, that you would want to unite with your iPhoto libary, there is no need to convert the library by importing. The format is compatible.


iphoto previews folder (1.82 Gb)

aperture previews folder (123.3 Gb)


how do I reduce the size of the previews folder?

How many image versions do you have? That is an amazing difference in size!


You change the size of the "Previews" in the Aperture Preferences, the "Previews" tab. Generally it is recommended to set the pixel size of the previews to the screensize of your largest display and to pick a good quality setting. Compare the settings in the Preferences panel with your screensize.

User uploaded file


After you changed the settigs for the Preview size and quality, delete the previews and update them.

To delete the previews select your images in the Browser, ctrl click, and use the command "Delete previews". Then check, if now the size size of the Previews folder is smaller.

Then create new previews by using the command "Update Preview". If that is not available, hold down the options-key and select "Generate Preview".


Regards

Léonie

Dec 7, 2012 3:13 PM in response to léonie

and do I really need an aperture database if aperture can use the iphoto library database?


If you do not have any other libraries, that you would want to unite with your iPhoto libary, there is no need to convert the library by importing. The format is compatible.


If this is the case then I will delete the whole aperture database and just use the iphoto one.


Thus solving the large preview folder


thank you for your fast and exetremely helpful advice...

Dec 7, 2012 3:19 PM in response to Nicholbutt

You are welcome;


If you are using the iPhoto Library as Aperture library, you may find this support articles helpful, if you have not yet seen them:


Aperture 3.3: Using a unified photo library with iPhoto and Aperture


Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries


They will also tell you, which iPhoto library items are still not accessible in Aperture, so every now end then you will have to open the library in iPhoto again.


Regards

Léonie

Aperture library size

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