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Level 1

7 points

I trashed my Aperture preferences, so now I can open Aperture. The dialog box says Welcome to Aperture. Will I still have my old Aperture Library?

I can open Aperture now, but since it says Welcome Aperture, I just want to make sure my old Library is there still. I don't want proceed until I know my photos are safe. They are backed up on Time Machine and a Cloud service, too, if I need to retrive them. I had a problem where my computer shutdown during a rebuild/repair, but when I re-boot, I couldn't open Aperture. Any advice will help.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 3:28 PM

Best reply

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 3:37 PM

Trashing the preferences does not remove the Aperture library. The only problem is, that the location of your Aperture library is stored in the preferences. So now Aperture does no longer know where your Aperture library is located and what it is called.

By default it would have been located in the Pictures folder and called "Aperture Library.aplibrary". And that is where Aperture is looking for a library. Do you remember, where you stored your library? Then select it in the Finder and double-click it to open the library in Aperture. After that will Aperture know again where your library is.

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28 replies

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Jul 30, 2013 1:59 PM in response to rcollbroth

Since I just tried to Repair again using the First Aid Tools, but with the same result, I guess my only option now it to Rebuild. What is happening on the Rebuild? I keep reading that it is the last resort, so when it is rebuilding, is it fixing my Photo Library? If it does start Rebuilding, should I just let run?

Do you have a backup of the Aperture library? Before a rebuild it is highly recommended to copy the library to a backup disk, just in case. Rebuild will/should recreate the Aperture library from the original image files and edted versions in the library. It will recreate all database files inside.

If even this does not work, craete a new,empty library - launch Aperture with the ⌥-key held down and select "Other/new". Test a bit with the ew library, if Aperture is still working correctly, then us ethe command "File > Import > LIbrary" and try to import your Aperture Library into the new one.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 30, 2013 2:11 PM in response to léonie

I have a back up on Time Machine and on a Cloud Service.

I guess I can't go back to Time Machine and open Aperture on day when it didn't have any trouble?. I am really not sure how many photos I have in my Aperture Library, but as I wrote the other day, it is about 162 GB. Do you have any idea how long it will run? Will Aperture open up automatically after everything is rebuilt?

Thanks.

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Jul 30, 2013 2:41 PM in response to rcollbroth

I am really not sure how many photos I have in my Aperture Library, but as I wrote the other day, it is about 162 GB. Do you have any idea how long it will run? Will Aperture open up automatically after everything is rebuilt?

With that size, maybe an hour or two. Check the Activity Viewer, if you see processing time used and disk writes done.

I guess I can't go back to Time Machine and open Aperture on day when it didn't have any trouble?

You would have to restore the Aperture library from an earlier day, but if your Time Machine drive is nearly full, aperture may have already deleted parts of theearlier versions of your library. ONly the most recent backup is guaranteed to be complete.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 30, 2013 2:59 PM in response to léonie

Thanks, Leonie.

I just checked my Time Machine drive and I have 874.39 GB of Free Space on a 2TB Hard Drive.

Is this a better option that Rebuilding? How would I recover the files from Time Machine?

If for some reason, I have to build a new Library, can I import the files from Time Machine or my Cloud Server?

Thanks.

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Jul 30, 2013 4:00 PM in response to rcollbroth

Your options:

Copy your current Aperture library by drag and drop to a backup location, then try, if rebuilding will succeed. That would be the best solution.
Create a new library and import your current library - this will essentially be a rebuild, but may succeed, if 1. does fail.
Restore from TimeMachine. That would be perfect, ifthe last backup is one that worked. But as I said, you have no guarantee, that the older backups will be complete. To restore from TimeMachine, select your Aperture library in the Finder and Enter Time Machine. Go back inTime to the time, before you deleted the preferences, then select the Aperture LIbrary and use the "Restore to" option.

I do not know your Cloud backup, if it only stores image files or also libraries.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 30, 2013 4:54 PM in response to léonie

Hi Leonie,

I want to make sure I don't make any mistakes. If I connect a new hard drive to my iMac, then I can drag and drop the Current Aperture Library that doesn't open to that hard drive. Then I try to rebuild the Aperture Library that is on my iMac. So essentially, I have the back up on the new hard drive. Then if I have to create a new library, I import from the current library that won't currently open. Do I just drag the current library into the new library.

I apologize for seeming so naive about this problem. I usually can figure out anything on my iMac, but this has me stumped and I am so worried about losing my files. As a professsional photographer, I lost a few files a few years ago, so I am a little nervous and trying to make sure I understand what you are tell me to do. I am sure the problem will be resolved, but I would rather be cautious and seem uninformed rather that lose my photos.

Thanks for you patience.

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Jul 30, 2013 10:48 PM in response to rcollbroth

Then if I have to create a new library, I import from the current library that won't currently open. Do I just drag the current library into the new library.

To import the old library into the new library:

If you can create a new library, and Aperture is open viewing this library, go to Aperture's main menu bar: Use the command "File > Import > Library" and select your old library to import.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 31, 2013 6:29 AM in response to léonie

Hi Leonie,

Thanks for the help. Again, when I drag and drop the current library to a external hard drive, then that will backup the Aperture Library? I think I will have to get a new hard drive then, because the only external drive I have is for Time Machine.

When I first dumped my preferences, I tried to open Aperture using the Icon on the dock. It seemed to open, but it read Welcome to Aperture. I didn't do anything, because I was afraid of losing my old Aperture Library. What happens if I do open Aperture at that point?

Thanks.

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Jul 31, 2013 7:54 AM in response to rcollbroth

Thanks for the help. Again, when I drag and drop the current library to a external hard drive, then that will backup the Aperture Library?

Yes, it will make a full backup of the Aperture library - a full copy of the package.

When I first dumped my preferences, I tried to open Aperture using the Icon on the dock. It seemed to open, but it read Welcome to Aperture. I didn't do anything, because I was afraid of losing my old Aperture Library. What happens if I do open Aperture at that point?

When you see the "Welcome to Aperture" at that point, it is because the Preferences file is not available. This file stores the location of your Aperture library. So Aperture does not know that you have an Aperture library and will create a new one by default - in your Pictures folder and call it "Aperture Library.aplibrary". But Aperture will not delete your previous library.

What is your current library called? You could rename it, to give it a specific name.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Jul 31, 2013 9:26 AM in response to léonie

I think renaming it is a good idea. I will do that. My library is currently called Aperture Library.aplibrary. If I don't rename it, I am afraid it will just be replaced, when I make a new library.

I am off this afternoon to buy a new external hard drive. After that I will drag my renamed library, from users/roncolbroth/pictures/(renamed library) to the hard drive. When you write full copy of the package, do you mean that includes the Aperture application itself? Great, if that is what happens.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Aug 1, 2013 1:34 PM in response to léonie

Hi Leonie,

I just wanted you to know that with all your help, I am not back with Aperture. Some of the photos went to a Recovered Photos file, but I think I can move them around to get them back to where they were originally.

I do have another question. When I try to export photos to my desktop, I am no longer able to type in a desination folder name. I can export them, but they go to the users/roncolbroth/desktop file. Do you have any thoughts.

Thanks.

léonie

Level 10

194,923 points

Aug 1, 2013 1:50 PM in response to rcollbroth

The forum software here is really acting up - I did not see your response from yesterday until now, sorry.

When you write full copy of the package, do you mean that includes the Aperture application itself? Great, if that is what happens.

No, the Aperture application you will have to save separately. You could also copy it to a backup location - hold down the ⌥-key, while you are dragging it from the Applications folder. Otherwise you will only create an alias and not a copy.

, I am not back with Aperture. Some of the photos went to a Recovered Photos file, but I think I can move them around to get them back to where they were originally.

The "recovered" project is just a projects like all others. You can move the images back to where you want them.

When I try to export photos to my desktop, I am no longer able to type in a desination folder name. I can export them, but they go to the users/roncolbroth/desktop file. Do you have any thoughts.

How have you set the "Subfolder Format" in the Export settings? Not all formats wiill allow to set a custom folder name.

rcollbroth Author

Level 1

7 points

Aug 1, 2013 2:13 PM in response to léonie

Hi Leonie,

I don't seem to have your latest message on my iMac. I am looking at it on my iPad.

I meant to say I have Aperture up and running. Somehow I put the word "not" in the sentence.

I haven't set the "Subfolder Format" in the Export settings. It worked before I did the Rebuild, so I will look into that and write back to you.

All the best,

Ron

I trashed my Aperture preferences, so now I can open Aperture. The dialog box says Welcome to Aperture. Will I still have my old Aperture Library?