msim20
Level 1 (9 points)
Photos for Mac

Q: Possible to import Aperture into Photos library on external drive?

I have been an Aperture user. Some photos in the library, mostly referenced.

Now I want to import that library into Photos. 39k photos, and some 150GB of images and videos.

 

There is no more room on my Macbook Pro.

Is it possible to migrate to Photos such that the new library is on an external drive (which does have 300GB+ free)?

 

Thanks for your help.

OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), null

Posted on Oct 25, 2015 9:26 AM

by LarryHN,Solvedanswer
LarryHN LarryHN
Level 10 (85,256 points)
Photos for Mac
A:

yes

 

but a few thinngs

 

you do not import libraries ever - that does not work - you migrate them

 

the Photos program does not handle referenced libraries well so it is strongly recommended that you do not use a referenced library with it

 

When you migrate a library to Photos it migrates on the same drive so if your Aperture library is on an external drive the Photos library will be too - and I believe that after you migrate a referenced library you can then use the Photos consolidate command to change it to a managed library so you avoid future issues (I have not tested this but it wold work fine)

 

and the Photos library must be on a drive formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) connected using a fast wired connection like USB, FireWire or ThunderBolt that is not being used as a TimeMachine backup volume

 

LN

Posted on Oct 25, 2015 9:37 AM

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msim20

Q: Possible to import Aperture into Photos library on external drive?

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  • by LarryHN,Solvedanswer

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 25, 2015 9:37 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 9:37 AM in response to msim20

    yes

     

    but a few thinngs

     

    you do not import libraries ever - that does not work - you migrate them

     

    the Photos program does not handle referenced libraries well so it is strongly recommended that you do not use a referenced library with it

     

    When you migrate a library to Photos it migrates on the same drive so if your Aperture library is on an external drive the Photos library will be too - and I believe that after you migrate a referenced library you can then use the Photos consolidate command to change it to a managed library so you avoid future issues (I have not tested this but it wold work fine)

     

    and the Photos library must be on a drive formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) connected using a fast wired connection like USB, FireWire or ThunderBolt that is not being used as a TimeMachine backup volume

     

    LN

  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to LarryHN

    Larry:

     

    Bear with me here as I've never used Aperture and am trying to learn here.

     

    Since the Photos and Aperture libraries must be on the same drive for migration, will moving the Aperture library to the EHD before migration break the links to the referenced image file? 

     

    If Aperture can reset the links prior to migration, would it be advisable for Aperture to consolidate the Aperture library before migration?

     

    OTsig.png

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 25, 2015 9:56 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 9:56 AM in response to LarryHN

    Got it.

    ---

    So here is what I have understood.

     

    Copy the Aperture library to an external drive. Leave the referenced files as is.

    Launch the Aperture library on the external drive, and test that it is operational and that it can access referenced files.

    Then migrate the aperture library to Photos (by right clicking on the Aperture library on the external drive).

     

    Once that is done, open that Photos library, and consolidate files. (And sadly see my folder structure vanish... but I hope that Apple knows better).

     

    Do the above steps sound good?

    ----

     

    Also, a question about what drive to use?

    I use a 2009 Macbook pro, so am limited to using a USB 2.0 connection external drive, or a (now old) NAS drive. The NAS delivers 20MBPS max throughput, peaks at 27, small files move slower I think.

     

    Should I use the USB 2.0 connected external drive, or should I go with the NAS?

    ---


    Thanks again for your help!

  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to msim20

    You can't use a NAS drive.  Photos will not recognize it and it can't support the file structure of Aperture and Photos libraries.

     

    All 2009 MacBook Pros have Firewire 400/800 connections.  If you intend to use the external HD as a working drive I would suggest you get an EHD that has FW800 capability. Those that I use are   OWC Mercury Elite Pro USB 3.0 / FireWire 800 / eSATA 500GB. These are very reliable drives.

     

    However, since you have a laptop and might want to take the drive with you consider one of these two types from the same provider to take on the road with you:

     

    OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini FireWire 800 + USB 3.0. - bus powered

     

    OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro FireWire 800 + USB 3.0/2.0 - both self powered and bus powered.

     

    If you keep it at home most of the time but might take it on the road occasionally the dual powered model would be the better choice.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 25, 2015 10:15 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 10:15 AM in response to msim20

    yes

     

    And you can leave it referenced but it is simply storing up future problems - and I'm not at all clear on why people are hung up on managing their own original photos in a folder structure since it makes things much more complicated and have no advantages - only drawbacks

     

    this is on iPhoto but is mostly applicable to Photos as well - iPhoto and File Management

     

    Anyway yes your work flow should work (and as Old Toad suggests you can do the consolidation in Aperture prior to migrating - I assumes you wanted to keep your Aperture structure as is (if you consolidate with Aperture and then migrate you cut your disk usage in half because Photos will use hard links to the originals - Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support ) - using your work flow will duplicate them

     

    and Photos can not use the NAS drive - read the requirements again

     

    and the Photos library must be on a drive formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) connected using a fast wired connection like USB, FireWire or ThunderBolt that is not being used as a TimeMachine backup volume

     

    LN

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 25, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Old Toad

    @Old Toad -

     

    Thanks for the detailed answer. And thanks for linking to the hard drives.

    I do have an old Firewire drive (which is only 300GB), will see if I can use that, or alternatively will try to get one of these.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Old Toad

    Léonie and Terence are  much better at Aperture but

     

    Since the Photos and Aperture libraries must be on the same drive for migration, will moving the Aperture library to the EHD before migration break the links to the referenced image file?

    Probably but Aperture can handle reconnecting unlike iPhoto and Photos

     

     

    If Aperture can reset the links prior to migration, would it be advisable for Aperture to consolidate the Aperture library before migration?

    It can I believe but the OP likes their structure and since Aperture can work with referenced libraries I suspect they will prefer to wait and do it in Photos - as long as the path is correct when the migration occurs then Photos will be fine with consolidating the library

     

    and you must have time on your hands to start learning Aperture after it is discontinued

     

    LN

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 10:31 AM in response to LarryHN

    @LarryHN

     

    Thanks for reply. I will consolidate before migrating to Photos.

     

    However, the question arises as to where to consolidate. Not enough room on the MB Pro.

    So, I will format an external drive, copy Aperture library to that drive, and then consolidate there and then migrate to Photos on that drive.

     

    Thank you again!

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 25, 2015 10:39 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 10:39 AM in response to msim20

    Yes - as you described it

     

    So here is what I have understood.

     

    Copy the Aperture library to an external drive. Leave the referenced files as is.

    Launch the Aperture library on the external drive, and test that it is operational and that it can access referenced files. [you probably will have to relink using Aperture]

    Then migrate the aperture library to Photos (by right clicking on the Aperture library on the external drive).

     

    Once that is done, open that Photos library, and consolidate files. (And sadly see my folder structure vanish... but I hope that Apple knows better).

     

    Do the above steps sound good?

    LN

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 25, 2015 10:40 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 25, 2015 10:40 AM in response to msim20

    If you can consolidate with Aperture after moving the library to the EHD I think that might be preferable to waiting until after migration.  I'm only speculating here as I don't use Aperture nor referenced libraries.

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 25, 2015 11:51 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 25, 2015 11:51 AM in response to Old Toad

    Old Toad wrote:

     

    If you can consolidate with Aperture after moving the library to the EHD I think that might be preferable to waiting until after migration.  I'm only speculating here as I don't use Aperture nor referenced libraries.

    That's what I plan to do.

    Move aperture library and then consolidate.

    Confirm all consolidated and then the move to Photos.

     

    thanks!

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 27, 2015 9:35 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 27, 2015 9:35 AM in response to Old Toad

    Old Toad wrote:

     

    You can't use a NAS drive.  Photos will not recognize it and it can't support the file structure of Aperture and Photos libraries.

     

    All 2009 MacBook Pros have Firewire 400/800 connections.  If you intend to use the external HD as a working drive I would suggest you get an EHD that has FW800 capability. Those that I use are   OWC Mercury Elite Pro USB 3.0 / FireWire 800 / eSATA 500GB. These are very reliable drives.

     

    However, since you have a laptop and might want to take the drive with you consider one of these two types from the same provider to take on the road with you:

     

    OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini FireWire 800 + USB 3.0. - bus powered

     

    OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro FireWire 800 + USB 3.0/2.0 - both self powered and bus powered.

     

    If you keep it at home most of the time but might take it on the road occasionally the dual powered model would be the better choice.

     

    A related question - so I thought I will ask in this thread.

     

    I will be connecting the external drive to a 2012 Mac Mini (running Mac Server) as the primary place where it will sit. Trying to choose a drive that I will use for Photos library and other backup to this Mac Mini. In house use, so traffic will not be too much or from too many computers simultaneously.

     

    First question - can hardware RAID enclosures be used?

    1. Mac OS Extended Journaled - not possible I suppose.

     

    Second question - connection type:

    1. Thunderbolt interface appears too expensive with not too high a speed advantage (unless using RAIDs)
    2. USB 3.0 - appears to be the best bet
    3. Firewire - available. Faster than USB 3.0 - for a 7200 RPM drive?
    4. eSATA - even possible on 2012 Mac Mini? If so, worth the speed advantage?

     

    Third question - what drive to choose

    1. Leaning towards OWC Mercury Elite USB 3.0 enclosure, and this Toshiba 5TB drive. Toshiba 5TB SATA 6Gb/s 7200rpm, 128MB Cache, 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (PH3500U-1I72) http://amzn.to/1jOxNed.Together these will be $220 - $230 - depending on eSata enclosure chosen or not.
    2. Any other that is better for this price or a bit higher.

     

    Any advise would be very helpful. Thanks!

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Oct 27, 2015 9:49 AM in response to msim20
    Level 10 (141,435 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 27, 2015 9:49 AM in response to msim20

    1 - Having never used a RAID device I can't help you with that question.  The format would be correct but I'm not sure.

     

    2 - Your best choice would be the Firewire 800.  That model mini doesn't have USB 3 capability and Thunderbolt drives are, IMO, just too expensive.

     

    3 - There could be but I've used OWC drives exclusively and haven't investigated other brands.

  • by msim20,

    msim20 msim20 Oct 27, 2015 10:12 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 27, 2015 10:12 AM in response to Old Toad

    Got it.

     

    So I checked on Apple site - https://goo.gl/OvV2Db, and it appears that 2012 Mac Mini USB ports are USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 ports have 5Gbps vs Firewire being 800Mbps speed. So, based on this, it appears that I would be fine with USB 3.0 connection.

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