My vault is larger than the available space on my laptop (desktop failed). Is there a way to restore the vault where it resides on my external backup drive? (I was considering a new SSD imac which also isn't large enough to restore the vault).
You can use the vault directly as an Aperture library, if you rename the filename extension of the vault.
Simply change the name "Aperture Library xyz.apvault" to "Aperture Library xyz.aplibrary" and double click the renamed vault to open in Aperture. This should work, because the vault is a full fledged Aperture library.
If the icon of your vault should be showing a lock badge, unlock it first in the Finder. Select the vault in the Finder, then use the command "File > Get Info". In the Info panel you can uncheck the lock in the General section of the panel.
Can I restore a vault "in place"?
