How can I find my photos in Aperture in Finder (for Macs)?

Question

How can I find my photos in Aperture in Finder (for Macs)?

I have a GIGANTIC Aperture library full of 8 years of photos. I have separated/partitioned off each year except the last one in the library, 2014. I have tried exporting the library to a new library many, many times only to have Aperture crash when I try to do it. I'm certain it's because the new library would be so big (I have a lot of pictures in the 2014 folder) that it stops me from doing it.

With that said, I need a work-around. My first thought was to copy all of the photos, by project, into folders in Finder (I have an iMac) and just create a new library with those pics. While this would work, it would take me FOREVER! So, there has to be a better way to create this new library. Here are my ideas:

1. I believe there is a way you can find photos that are in Aperture in Finder. I know, I know, it's not suggested you do this. Here's the rub, I have since signed up for Lightroom since Apple is doing away with Aperture, so I don't care if it messes up my current Aperture database. I have the large Aperture backed up in two places, anyway.

Can someone out there tell me how to find these photos? I right click on them and there is no option to "to get info, or even show package contents."

2. Can anyone think of a different way to create the new library?

Thanks so much!

Andy

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jan 23, 2016 4:03 AM

Reply

Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,645 points

Jan 23, 2016 6:59 AM in response to Confused in the Lou

I'm certain it's because the new library would be so big (I have a lot of pictures in the 2014 folder) that it stops me from doing it.

Do you have enough free free storage on the drive with the aperture library?

The size of the exported library should not matter, unless you are running out of storage. I've exported a partial library with 100000 photos without problems.

Which version of Aperture are you using? If it is Aperture 9.4.5 or an older version, disconnect from the Internet while working with Aperture. The older versions are currently crashing, if they cannot access Google's map servers.

Frequently it helps to run a library repair before trying to export an Aperture library. Have you tried that? See: Repairing and Rebuilding Your Aperture Library: Aperture 3 User Manual

. I believe there is a way you can find photos that are in Aperture in Finder. I know, I know, it's not suggested you do this.

To see your imported photos from 2014 in the Finder, select your Aperture library, ctrl-click it, then select "Show Package Contents":.

Open the folder "Masters" and look for a subfolder 2014. It will contain all original image files for the photos you imported in 2014.

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 23, 2016 11:55 AM in response to léonie

Thanks so much!

Answers:

1. I checked and I'm running version 3.6. That seems really old...should I even bother with the update since I'm now using Lightroom?

2. I was trying to copy to a 24TB NAS that I have in the house so it should have enough space. I don't have 100,000 photos but I'm pretty close in the 2014 family pic category!

3. I'll try repairing it, thanks.

4. The "show packaged contents" worked. I'm currently loading to Amazon right now using this method.

Thanks for your help and hopeful reply!

Andy

Reply

Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

200,645 points

Jan 23, 2016 1:03 PM in response to Confused in the Lou

1. I checked and I'm running version 3.6. That seems really old...should I even bother with the update since I'm now using Lightroom?

Aperture 3.6 is the most recent and probably last Aperture version. So you are up to date.

I mixed up the version numbers of iPhoto and Aperture, sorry.

2. I was trying to copy to a 24TB NAS that I have in the house so it should have enough space. I

The NAS is probably the problem. Aperture is working best with the library on a locally mounted drive. That is what Apple recommends:

Use locally mounted Mac OS X Extended volumes for your Aperture library

Reply