Blue Wammer

Q: Merging iPhoto/Aperture Libraries

My wife and I have a shared iPhoto/Aperture library on a USB Hard Drive attached to our iMac.  I have recently purchased a MacBook Pro which I am using to import and organise photos (in iPhoto/Aperture) taken on my Nikon D5300 when away from home on holiday.  When I return from holiday I wish to transfer those photos, including all the change history, into the iMac library.  This is something that I will need to do every time I go on holiday.  Am I right in thinking that I have to use the merge libraries function in Aperture to do this if I wish to preserve all the change history?  or is there a better way to do this in future?

Posted on Sep 16, 2014 10:51 AM

Close

Q: Merging iPhoto/Aperture Libraries

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Sep 16, 2014 10:55 AM in response to Blue Wammer
    Level 10 (84,210 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 16, 2014 10:55 AM in response to Blue Wammer

    This is the iPhoto for Mac forum - there is no way to merge libraries using iPhoto for Mac - iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can merge iPhoto libraries - I believe that Aperture also can but for details on Aperture it is best to post in the Aperture forum

     

    LN

  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Sep 16, 2014 11:08 AM in response to Blue Wammer
    Level 10 (105,761 points)
    iLife
    Sep 16, 2014 11:08 AM in response to Blue Wammer
    Am I right in thinking that I have to use the merge libraries function in Aperture to do this if I wish to preserve all the change history?  or is there a better way to do this in future?

    Use Aperture to merge the libraries. This will be able to save all products - books, slideshows, ...

    But you will need Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later to do this. Which versions do you have?

     

    With iPhoto library Manager you would lose them when merging.

    See this help page:    Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries

     

    Basically you open Aperture on your main library and import the new holiday library (iPhoto or Aperture) that you want to merge into the main library.  Use the command "File > Import > Library". Aperture will merge the two libraries into one and resolve conflicts for duplicate items.

  • by Blue Wammer,

    Blue Wammer Blue Wammer Sep 16, 2014 11:22 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 16, 2014 11:22 AM in response to léonie

    Many thanks, léonie.  I have iPhoto 9.5.1 and Aperture 3.5.1, so that shouldn't be a problem.  I just wanted to check that it is the best way to achieve what I want.

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Sep 16, 2014 11:31 AM in response to Blue Wammer
    Level 10 (105,761 points)
    iLife
    Sep 16, 2014 11:31 AM in response to Blue Wammer

    You're welcome!  

    Don't forget to make sure your main library  is backed up before you start the merging.  It is essentially a rebuilding that will happen; better be safe than sorry. And check carefully, if everything imported, before you delete the imported library.