Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

18 points

My Ref. HD does not look like my Aperture Library

Hi,

I don't neccessarily have a problem, but I do notice that my referenced library on an ext. HD does not look like my Aperture library on my mbp. I notice that there are alot of separate images not in albums or projects or folders. Is there a way or need to reorganize the ref. images into a similar setup as my library. Any thoughts are welcome as I'm a bit of a neat freak, esp. with photos etc.

Thank you.

John

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 16GB Ram, SSD

Posted on Jan 24, 2013 7:38 AM

Best reply

Frank Caggiano

Level 7

25,969 points

Posted on Jan 24, 2013 7:42 AM

The storage structure of the referenced originals is seperate from the storage structure of the Aperture library. They will not mirror each other unless a strong effeort is made to make one look like the other.

So there is no need or advantage for one to look like the other it will work fine as it is.

regards

View in context

20 replies

Jan 24, 2013 11:20 AM in response to johngrussell

No relocate relocates the originals from where they are to where to tell Aperture to put them using the dialog I showed above,

The Aperture command File->Consolidate Originals… moves the originals from where they are into the Aperture library turning them into managed originals

You could do as you propose, move the library to a large external, consolidate into it and then relocate. Not sure that would be any more effective then just relocating them from where they are now.

In any case make sure you have good working backups of both your library and the originals before doing any of this. When you're doing large scale reorganization like this the possibility of something messing up is good.

regards

Message was edited by: Frank Caggiano

johngrussell Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 24, 2013 11:35 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Hi Frank,

excellent job setting me straight. I will do as you suggest and yes, I have 4 backups of my entire library and originals, 2 off site. Looking at the organization of my aperture library (see screenshot below), using the tried and true set up of projects holding albums and multiply projects in folders, what settings would you suggest for the relocation process.

Subfolder Format; Project name?

Name Format; Original File Name?

Once this is done, do I just make a new folder on my ext. hd and select that as the new location?

If I remember correctly, the reason my ref. originals are disorganized is because I did not understand these settings properly when I did the original relocation and may have selected something that was not my intent.

Thank you so much.

John

johngrussell Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 24, 2013 12:09 PM in response to johngrussell

I'm afraid that if I do the relocate process, will it just relocate without reorganizing the originals, creating a duplicate of my original messy setup. It would be dissappointing if that happened. So I'm unsure what to do. Deer in the headlights so to speak.

John

Jan 24, 2013 12:10 PM in response to johngrussell

John,

Again the format of the folder structure and the names of the originals is really a personal matter. Are the dates of the images most important to you then use a date based sub-folder arrangement. If the project names are more important use those.

You can even go in and create your own format. The last entry in the naming pulldowns is Edit. Select that and you can create your own naming format.

You might want to experiment on a small library (or small subsection of this library) until you get the format that is right for you.

Once this is done, do I just make a new folder on my ext. hd and select that as the new location?

Not sure what this refers to. When you relocate using the Aperture tools the new folders will be made for you as part of the relocation process.

regards

johngrussell Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 25, 2013 9:31 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Hi Frank,

Thanks so much for helping me on this matter. New setup looks much better and hopefully more secure and faster etc. I did end up with over 800 photos that did not relocate, that I checked for relevance etc. I put them in a separate folder and I'll keep and eye on them etc.

Again, great job.

Take care,

John

My Ref. HD does not look like my Aperture Library