David Strait
Level 2 (218 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Write “Version Name” to “Title” Field?

I would like to batch export JPEG files from Aperture, then import the images into the “Photos” app. I would like the Aperture “Version Name” to become the “Title” of the image when in “Photos.”

 

Is there a way to batch write the Aperture Version Name to the Aperture “Title” field before (or during) export from Aperture?

 

Thanks David

Aperture 3

Posted on Jun 2, 2016 9:39 PM

by léonie,Solvedanswer
léonie léonie
Level 10 (108,955 points)
iCloud
A:

I don't see an easy way to do it.

The batch change presets allow only a constant string for the title field. 

You can however change the filename to the version name, if you use "Apply to original file" in the Metadata > Batch change dialog.

Screen Shot 2016-06-03 at 08.40.18GMT.png

 

As you probably know, Photos does not use the filenames as the default titles, but you could use the script Script: Batch Changing the Titles to the Filename w/Extension  from the Photos User Tip section to copy the filenames to the title, once you have migrated the library to Photos.

 

Or modify the script to copy the version names to the title field in Aperture.

Posted on Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM

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David Strait

Q: Write “Version Name” to “Title” Field?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (108,955 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to David Strait

    I don't see an easy way to do it.

    The batch change presets allow only a constant string for the title field. 

    You can however change the filename to the version name, if you use "Apply to original file" in the Metadata > Batch change dialog.

    Screen Shot 2016-06-03 at 08.40.18GMT.png

     

    As you probably know, Photos does not use the filenames as the default titles, but you could use the script Script: Batch Changing the Titles to the Filename w/Extension  from the Photos User Tip section to copy the filenames to the title, once you have migrated the library to Photos.

     

    Or modify the script to copy the version names to the title field in Aperture.

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Jun 3, 2016 8:18 AM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (218 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 3, 2016 8:18 AM in response to léonie

    Thanks Leonie,

    The script does what I wanted to achieve in Photos. I don’t want to change the file name as described in the other option you suggested. I am unfamiliar with Automator, but your clear instructions made it easy to duplicate the script on my system.

     

    It appears that the script you wrote (at least the 1st one listed: not iCloud library version) only adds the Tile to the Photos DB and not to the original file. I may eventually want to explore the option to modify the script for Aperture, so it writes the version name to the Title field. However, that will have to wait until I learn more about Automator scripts!

     

    David

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (108,955 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to David Strait

    David, I experimented a bit.

     

    This simple script will write the version names to the EXIF Title fields.  And if you open the library in Photos, the titles can be shown below the thumbnails:

     

    tell application "Aperture"

      activate

      set imageSel to (get selection)

      if imageSel is {} then

      error "Please select an image."

      else

      repeat with i from 1 to count of imageSel

      tell (item i of imageSel)

      set versionname to its name

      make new IPTC tag with properties {name:"ObjectName", value:versionname}

      end tell

      end repeat

      end if

    end tell


    To test the script, crete a small test library.

    • Select a few photos in Aperture.
    • Launch the Script Editor.app
    • Paste the script above into the Script Editor window and press the run button.

    Screen Shot 2016-06-03 at 18.15.19GMT.jpg

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (218 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 3, 2016 10:39 AM in response to léonie

    Leonie… I have a few things to say to you:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you… and thank you again!

     

    This worked exactly as I had hoped, plus it has solved another issue that has bothered me for years. First, the exported files solved the original issue about the missing Title display in Photos (obviously the first script also solved that issue). Secondly, I always export JPEG images from Aperture to upload to my Smugmug photo galleries (great service at a very reasonable cost!). However, I have always been disappointed that SmugMug does not display the filename below the image (it displays the Title, like the “Photos” app). Now the images I upload to SmugMug will have the proper identification!

     

    David

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jun 3, 2016 11:11 AM in response to David Strait
    Level 10 (108,955 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 3, 2016 11:11 AM in response to David Strait

    You're very welcome David.  My pleasure!

     

    The only challenge for this script was to find out by experimenting that the IPTC tag for the title is called "ObjectName" - completely undocumented and not very intuitive.

     

    I did not test much yet.  Please let me know, if there are any issues.

  • by David Strait,

    David Strait David Strait Jun 3, 2016 1:23 PM in response to léonie
    Level 2 (218 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 3, 2016 1:23 PM in response to léonie

    I get discouraged every time I try learning about scripting for the Mac. I rarely need it, so I forget everything I learn by the next time I want to use it again. I never would have gotten close to solving the "ObjectName" problem!

     

    I'll be using your script quite a bit in the near future, so I'll let you know how it goes. I am adjusting the capture dates and adding other metadata to all my old scanned family photos and re-uploading them to SmugMug. This will include over 20,000 photos originally taken from the 1880's until the digital age. I'm glad you helped me with this before I began this project!

     

    It will be great that all the uploaded photos will have the Title listed right beneath the image in SmugMug. The Title (version name) is composed of a capture date prefix (so they sort in order), plus a suffix that indicates the image origin. For example, the image ”1983 - 831120 006 - B022 P17" is the 6th photo taken on November 20, 1983 and the photo was scanned from slide 17 located in Box 22.  I use similar suffix info for film rolls, photos from albums, and loose photos. The original scanned file names are simply the suffix portion. I add the date portion to the edited versions (which is easy to change if necessary). This system is easy to maintain in Aperture, but difficult in Photos. It seems “do-able” in Lightroom, but not ideal since LR doesn’t have an exact equivalent for files and versions.

     

    I’m not looking forward to the future where Aperture won’t run on my next computer! I’m hoping my 2009 Mac Pro keeps working for a while! I'm actually considering buying a used "back up"  Mac that runs Yosemite (or El Capitan) in case the Mac Pro dies! Apple officially made this an "End-of-Life" computer a few months ago (as well as my 17" laptop).

     

    Thanks again,

    David