Aperture Workflow

Hi, I'm relatively new to the photography thing. I had a point-and-shoot since a few years back, but recently got more serious about it. I used to just use Photoshop's browse feature to play with photos, but I tried Aperture and I really like the features it has.
The problem I'm having is that it appears that Aperture is based on a workflow that I don't have any experience in. I import my photos into a project, but then they just kind of sit there. I know how to export them in batches and what not, but it seems like this is going to get really messy after a few more months.
I'm curious about what the professional and "serious amateur" photographers here do with their pictures after that first import. And I also haven't figured how the vault thing is supposed to work yet. Thanks!

Joe,
I'm a photo hobbyist and typically shoot a few hundred photos for each project. Here's my Aperture workflow. Remember that there's more than one way to do it! Be sure to check out the how-to articles on this site.
I mostly target web output and make occasional prints. Each of my Aperture projects corresponds to a day trip, vacation, etc. For each of those projects, I'll make a smart folder of images with one or more stars that I'll export for my web site. I have a smart folder that pulls every photo with three or more stars for a "best of" gallery.
1. Import photos into a project and use a metadata template to fill in the essentials (location, credits, etc.).
2. Make a quick pass through the photos and assign ratings. I try to mark most of them as discards.
3. Make a second pass through the remaining photos to refine ratings. I'll often use the compare/select tools to pick between similar photos at this point and may make some quick adjustments.
4. Finish entering metadata, particularly keywords.
5. Make edits as needed to the photos with one or more stars and write headlines and captions.
6. Create the smart gallery for photos with one or more stars and export them to a directory where my web authoring software can find them.
7. Create an online gallery for those images.
This hopefully gives you some ideas.
Cheers,
Andreas

Similar Messages

Integrating Nik plug-ins into an Aperture workflow

Hi. In his response to a [posted question|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2746051&tstart=0] about noise reduction, forum guru William Lloyd spoke highly of the Nik plug-ins.
I also like them alot, but have stopped using them and don't recommend them because they do not integrate into my Aperture workflow in any usable way. The suite of plug-ins (there are six, iirc) are designed to be used step-wise -- and therein lies the problem. Because of what I take to be a glitch in Aperture, any changes made within Aperture to an image edited and returned by a plug-in are lost when that image is sent back out to another plug-in. (The work-around is klugly: you have to create a new Version prior to every use of a plug-in other than the first use.)
I love the Nik tools (and paid dear for them), but haven't been able to find the right place for them on my workbench. William -- or anyone -- how have you integrated the Nik plug-ins into your Aperture workflow?
I am considering "upgrading" my Nik suite to the Photoshop edition in order to take advantage of all the tools. I'm pretty sure used w. Photoshop, the tools create editable layers. The upgrade, however, doubles the already expensive cost of the suite (and the Aperture→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Aperture trip is sure to be cumbersome).
My goal is simple: to be able to take full advantage of the Nik tools while taking full advantage of Aperture. Any advice greatly appreciated.
TIA, and cheers.

Hi. In his response to a [posted question|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2746051&tstart=0] about noise reduction, forum guru William Lloyd spoke highly of the Nik plug-ins.
I also like them alot, but have stopped using them and don't recommend them because they do not integrate into my Aperture workflow in any usable way. The suite of plug-ins (there are six, iirc) are designed to be used step-wise -- and therein lies the problem. Because of what I take to be a glitch in Aperture, any changes made within Aperture to an image edited and returned by a plug-in are lost when that image is sent back out to another plug-in. (The work-around is klugly: you have to create a new Version prior to every use of a plug-in other than the first use.)
I love the Nik tools (and paid dear for them), but haven't been able to find the right place for them on my workbench. William -- or anyone -- how have you integrated the Nik plug-ins into your Aperture workflow?
I am considering "upgrading" my Nik suite to the Photoshop edition in order to take advantage of all the tools. I'm pretty sure used w. Photoshop, the tools create editable layers. The upgrade, however, doubles the already expensive cost of the suite (and the Aperture→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Nik→Photoshop→Aperture trip is sure to be cumbersome).
My goal is simple: to be able to take full advantage of the Nik tools while taking full advantage of Aperture. Any advice greatly appreciated.
TIA, and cheers.

DxO Optics Pro and Apple Aperture workflow?

I'm wondering if anyone here has workflow suggestions for using DxO Optics Pro and Apple Aperture?
I've been using DOP for a couple of years now and love it, of course. I am just starting to use Aperture to catalog, sort and arrange a large collection of images. I would like to be able to import images on my drive into Aperture and keep them in Aperture's library, and get DOP to do its work in small batches when needed (essentially the "Scenario 2" workflow that is suggested in DxO's support section for using Adobe Lightroom.) But is that even possible with Aperture? Needless to say, I don't want to lose (during import into Aperture or export to DOP) the photo file information that DOP uses to do optics corrections.
If the workflow above isn't possible, I'm open to suggestions. If I must process ALL my images with DOP first, before importing them into Aperture, I can live with that, but it would be good to hear from some experienced users before I just assume I have to do that.
Thanks!
(By the way, I did read the other thread on here about DOP & Aperture, and it doesn't really go anywhere toward suggesting workflows. It just ends up discussion DNG files a bit, but that's about it.)

Hello All,
I've been working on getting this one figured out with DxO for the last week or so.
While I can't report that I have figured out the secret of the mysterious DxO OP & Aperture workflow (there doesn't appear to be one), I have figured out some key info that I needed to know to get started with Aperture, and continue using DxO OP.
First, the main thing that I became curious about... What EXIF information is lost when importing into & exporting from Aperture. I especially wanted to know what EXIF information that DxO OP needed to do its processing would be lost. (I know there are EXIF info viewers that I could use to check the info for myself, but I wanted to here conclusions from the source.)
The tests were done with the very helpful tech support folks at DxO. We ran 4 files through their fine tooth combs. Two files were straight from the camera, one file was imported (not referenced) into Aperture then I "dug" for it within Aperture's Library using "Show Package Contents", and the fourth was imported into Aperture's Library then I did a File > Export... > Export Master. (As Hud46/Dave guessed above) All EXIF was identical for all 4 files, so DxO could do its complete processing on any of them.
Many of you may have known this already, but I wanted to be sure.
Now, on the topic of a usable workflow for Aperture & DxO, I'm still working on that on. I'm guessing that I'll be finding out pretty much the same that you guys have mentioned here, that they don't play well (enough) together yet.
Allen, I agree that DxO does need to work on their compatibility with Aperture (as they seem to have done with Lightroom) so any feedback to them about that would be a good thing. Having been in touch with them a fair bit on this topic though, I have found that DxO sees Aperture as something of a "closed" system. I don't know what's up with politics of all this, so I'm just going to keep asking for the compatibility and let them sort it out.
Jack, Thank you very much for your workflow suggestion. I will give it a try and see how it works for me.
For what it's worth, I did just do a shoot for a client and used Aperture & DxO OP together. At first glance it looks something like what you did Jack. What I did, simply, was:
1) Downloaded images from the camera using Image Capture (I had already done this step actually) and put them in a folder.
2) Imported the images into an Aperture Library (for just this project) as Referenced Masters.
3) Sorted & rated them. Selected my Picks.
4) Exported those Picks as Masters.
5) Ran DxO Optics Pro on the Picks & saved the output.
6) Delivered to the client, then archived that Aperture Library, DxO's sidecars & output to Hard Drive & DVD.
7) Deleted all of it from my hard drive. (Why keep toting around, and having Aperture deal with in some way, 6+ GB of originals & thumbnails, etc when I likely won't need them all in that incarnation again? Hard drive may be getting bigger and bigger, but I can easily outshoot them.) Now, of course if I need to work with that shoot's Aperture Library in the future, I can't just work with in on the DVD, but at least I won't have to do my rating all over again.
Just thought I'd share that workflow in case it helps someone out with a similar situation.
Onward with the testing... I still have to figure out which way I should import my own main collection of images.
-Neil

Aperture workflow using Photoshop

All,
To those pro digital photographers out there, or anyone doing high volume and/or serious adjustments (beyond what Aperture can provide), I am interested in what the workflow looks like for those who are using both Aperture and Photoshop.
I am now in my fourth day of using Aperture, and I feel I've been brought to a crossroads of deciding whether to use Aperture at all, despite the fact that I love some of its features, and I'd like to use it. Here are the parameters acting on the situation:
1) I must have the ability to edit my RAW, original photos on open (first edit) using Adobe Camera RAW.
2) I have to have Photoshop as my image editor (for many reasons, just assume its non-negotiable).
Seems simple enough. But these things are my hurdles:
1) Inability to get at my Aperture files on the filesystem.
2) Inability to save from Photoshop directly into Aperture. This is very important if I decide to "Save As..." from Photoshop or do something like create a Picture Package which saves as a new PSD.
3) Inability to open into Camera RAW.
4) Inability to save layers in PSD files in Aperture.
I am trying to be the optimist here and keep an open mind. But honestly, if Photoshop is an integral part of your workflow, how are these obstacles not a deal-killer?
I'd like to hear from any of you who are using both Aperture and Photoshop together. What does your workflow look like?
Brad

2) Inability to save from Photoshop directly into
Aperture. This is very important if I decide to "Save
As..." from Photoshop or do something like create a
Picture Package which saves as a new PSD.
It's only a workaround rather than a proper solution, but for this bit have a look at the thread on tethered shooting, I listed the steps to set up a hot folder - any image copied or saved to that folder will automatically be imported into Aperture. There is even an option to delete the 'dropped in' file so that the folder doesn't clog up with temporary files.
Ian

Aperture Workflow - need help creating workflow for photo management

Hi -
I currently shoot with a Canon SD890 (point & shoot) and a Nikon D300 (SLR). My photography is either personal photography or street photography. I may use some of my photography for a web project but that should not be considered right now. I shoot jpegs with the SD890 and RAW with the D300. I need to create a workflow that will allow me to manage all of my photos as well as the RAW vs JPEG aspect. Here are a few initial questions:
1) Should I separate the RAW and JPEGs in Aperture (two libraries)? One library for finished photos and one for negatives?
2) What folder structure should I use? Since I am not a professional photographer, I won't be shooting projects. I think something date or event driven would be best (preferably both).
I am interested to hear how others do this...especially if you use both point & shoot and SLR cameras.
Thanks for your help!

jnap818 wrote:
1) Should I separate the RAW and JPEGs in Aperture (two libraries)? One library for finished photos and one for negatives? I am interested to hear how others do this...especially if you use both point & shoot and SLR cameras.
No, use a single Library. Aperture will have no problems with the various formats or with various different cameras.
2) What folder structure should I use? Since I am not a professional photographer, I won't be shooting projects. I think something date or event driven would be best (preferably both).
Actually those date or event driven batches of images are very logically "Projects" in Aperture. Simply name each group of images as you import into AP as a new Project.
IMO it is not good to import camera-to-Aperture (or direct to any app other than the Finder). Best is to use a card reader and use the Finder to copy images from the camera card to a folder on the computer hard drive.
Below is my Referenced-Masters workflow:
• Remove the CF card from the camera and insert it into a CF card reader. Faster readers and cards are preferable.
• Finder-copy images from CF to a labeled folder on the intended permanent Masters location hard drive. I label that folder with the Project name suffixed with _masters, that way I can always find the Masters if Aperture forgets where they are.
• Eject CF.
• Burn backup copies of the original images to DVDs or to hard drives (optional backup step).
• Eject backup DVDs/hard drives (optional backup step).
• From within Aperture, import images from the hard drive folder into Aperture selecting "Store files in their current location."
• Review pix for completeness (e.g. a 500-pic shoot has 500 valid images showing).
• Reformat CF in camera, and archive DVDs of originals off site.
Note that the "eject" steps above are important in order to avoid mistakenly working on removable media.
I strongly recommend that every Aperture user spend $35 and work through the tutorial CD Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 (Apple Pro Training Series) by Ben Long, Richard Harrington, and Orlando Luna (Paperback - May 8, 2008), Amazon.com. Note that the value is in working the tutorial, not in using the book as a manual.
Good luck!
-Allen Wicks

New Computer w/(2) ssd's - New Aperture Workflow?

I'm finally getting a decent machine to handle Aperture 3:
Intel i7-3820 4.67GHz Quad Core
32GBs DDR3 1333Mhz RAM
120GB SATA6GBp/s SSD (OS & Application Drive)
Nvidia GTS 450 1GB DDR3 Video Card
120GB SATA6GBp/s SSD Scratch Drive
3TB 7,200rpm 64MB Cache Hard Drive (backup & storage)
It will run OS Lion 10.7.5
Current machine is an early 2006 i mac core duo with 2GB of ram (lets not talk about that)
Current workflow involves referenced masters (480GB worth) stored on an external 500GB firewire drive, and the library (46GB) on the HD.
I keep a vault for the library, and back-up all the raw files to another external.
(my raw image files run about 25MB each)
With this new machine, I'll be moving from a Fiesta to a Ferrari, and I might need some driving lessons!
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Dino, San Francisco Bay Area

Quote from: Richard on 27-February-07, 23:32:27
Manatee,
Have you tried a different Vid Card or RAM to see if the comp boots? Also have you tried the Vid Card in another comp to see if you cannot duplicate the issue or not?
Take Care,
Richard
´lo!
No, haven´t tried a different setup yet.
My old comp has only AGP and low freq memory. And i´m a ronery student with no money
Just wondering if this was a known issue...

Lightroom and CS5 and Aperture Workflow?

I am trying to put the finishing touches on a year and a half long port to mac from windows. My expectation is that I will be purchasing CS5 (Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign) and I was hoping there would be a user or two on the forum that may be able to just advise me as to whether I am moving in the correct direction. Also, I was hoping to get a heads up on how Lightroom might fit into the following proposed workflow. Here is what I am anticipating:
1. Export necessary images from Aperture into folder named "Aperture" with sub-folders by project name.
2. "Photoshop" folder (with project sub-folders) for any edited images, transparency overlays, etc.
3. "Illustrator" folder (with project sub-folders) for any vector editing of images and/or individual vector files
4. "InDesign" folder (with project sub-folders) for ID posterboards, publications etc that reference files in Photoshop and/or Illustrator folders.
5. "Keynote" folder (with project sub-folders) for presentation that reference files in Photoshop and/or Illustrator folders.
6. "Uploads" folder for any images uploaded to ftp that cannot be done from within the Aperture interface.
Does anyone know if this looks about right, how Lightroom might fit into this workflow and/or whether there is a way to streamline this in any way?
In the past I've tended to be very reliant on dragging and dropping and copying images images across my hard drive for access and organization in various projects (web media, proposals, publication, papers, etc, etc) but as I start working in Aperture I can obviously see the benefits of keeping a lot of this data within Aperture. That said, some of this workflow is a bit hard to anticipate and I'd also like to know what I need to buy to get it optimized.
TIA for any suggestions or help.

Lightroom and Aperture serve identical purposes. There is no reason to use both.
Since they serve identical purposes, at least at the macro-planning stages, you can substitute one for the other in any workflow.
There is nothing in your proposed workflow that I would recommend.

HDR Images and Aperture Workflow?

Hey folks, I'm starting to get my hands dirty with HDR images, and am having some difficulty with the seemingly high (at least for me) learning curve in getting going.
I'm wondering if anyone here who has experience with HDR can summarize how they use Aperture in their workflow for creating and working with images to get an HDR result.
I shoot a series of a shot -3 to +3 (inclusive) in exposure steps which usually nets me about 7 images. Where I seem to get botched results in prepping my images prior to going to Photomatrix, Photoshop CS3 or the not-so-impressive (for me) Hydra HDR plugin.
Any assistance (or pointers to must-read docs online) are greatly appreciated !

Hey Magnus, I'm actually trying to limit my processing of any sort to inside Aperture as much as possible. Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled with my need to stick to an aperture-like (RAW) process; I find it frustrating to have to generate duplicate versions of images in external editors (photoshop, hydra etc.)
I think the main thing for me is to identify a clear path to follow to start generating HDR content I feel right now like each attempt is a stab in the dark

Using both iPhoto and Aperture workflow help

I am using both aperture 3 and iPhoto 9 to edit and keep track of images
I imported images to iPhoto the have Aperture import the iPhoto library this way I have i library..I know if something happens to it I am screwed
1) I know that Aperture is non destructive, is iPhoto?
2) will changes ( like GPS location) in aperture be applied to iPhoto images
3) looking to see if I can make changes made in one program appear in the other
4) or it it better to import the images in from my external drive (how they were before iPhoto), and have a separate library for each program

Here's the best advice for using both iPhoto and Aperture:
Pick one horse and ride it. They both do the same job. If you're shooting Raw or high volumes of Jpeg, then definitely go with Aperture. If you're doing family snaps with a point and shoot stick with iPhoto. Using both adds unnecessary complexity to everything, and with complexity comes the risk of error and data loss.
1) I know that Aperture is non destructive, is iPhoto?
Yes. In a wholly different way, mind you, but yes. WHen you edit an image in iPhoto it creates a new file called the Modified Version. You can always revert to the Original photo. If you edit only with iPhoto then you can also avoid generational loss.
2) will changes ( like GPS location) in aperture be applied to iPhoto images
No.
3) looking to see if I can make changes made in one program appear in the other
You can't.
4) or it it better to import the images in from my external drive (how they were before iPhoto), and have a separate library for each program
It makes no sense to use both programs.
Aperture and iPhoto are entirely different applications that work in very different ways.
The only communication between the two is as follows:
Aperture is able to parse the iPhoto Library to allow it to import the contents while stacking the Originals and Modified versions, preserving metadata and so forth.
Aperture can share its Previews with the iLife apps, including iPhoto.
That's it.
So, specifically, what interaction there is between the two is designed to facilitate migration from iPhoto to the more powerful app. After that, iPhoto has exactly the same relationship to the Aperture Library as, say, Pages or iMovie.
iPhoto has no knowledge of, and knows nothing of how the Aperture Library works. It cannot read the Aperture library.
What are you hoping to achieve by running both?
Regards
TD

IPhoto and Aperture workflow

I would like to have all of my everyday pictures jpeg in IPhoto and all my Raw file in Aperture. Since you can only associate one software to automaticly import the pictures,(in my case IPhoto) I have to import all of my pictures in IPhoto, then manually import my Raw file in Aperture from the IPhoto library, then go back to IPhoto to remove my RAW file from IPhoto album.
There must be a better way.

One thing that you can do is to do your import into Aperture first. In Aperture, the window opens with all of your photos that are on that card you are currently importing from. Select your RAW files from the thumbnails (files for the RAW images are labeled differently on my camera), import those images into Aperture. When done importing select "Delete Imported Images and Eject Card". Re-insert card, open iPhoto and import all of the files that are left.
What I tend to do is shoot everything in RAW, then the everyday photos get exported to iPhoto as a jpeg then deleted from Aperture (if necessary). Another benefit of doing it this way is the jpeg that Aperture produces is smaller in size and sharper in detail than the jpeg that is formated in my camera (Cannon Digital Rebel).
Hope that helps

Phocus=Aperture workflow - washed out images in Phocus

I just found a glitch which should be addressed when latest version is released
I installed Phocus on our Mac Pro's one early 4c model and latest 8c and found that the Hasselblad RGB profiles had not been installed in Library/ColorSync/Profiles.
So you need to do an install in Administrator mode and then open it in Admin mode as when you first open Phocus it then installes profiles.
If you install in user mode it asks for authorization and installs application but when first opened it does not install profiles or even ask for authorization to do so?
Bizarrely I installed on Mac Book Pro as user and it worked ok??
Phil

You are probably right, it is an issue with color profiles and gamut. Aperture does use a different raw converter, which will create some variance. In fact, many like the look of straight Aperture raw conversions over straight ACR conversions. But if the washed out look is dramatic, and Photoshop opens your raw files okay, then it must be a profile issue.
It may help to explain how you are exporting from Aperture. Are your source files raw files, PSDs, TIFFs, or JPEGs? Are you exporting masters, or are you exporting versions? If you're exporting versions, take a look at your "source preset" when exporting. What color profile are you embedding?
Although if you are embedding any color profile, Photoshop and Lightroom should pick it up.
All I've read is that Lightroom manages profiles more transparently than Photoshop, but perhaps someone could jump in here and say how it is managed.
Finally, what purpose are you exporting and importing into Lightroom? If you're migrating your library to a Lightroom catalog, you may be best served by using the Aperture migration plug-in.
Aperture import plugin now available
The plug-in still has issues with foreign characters, importing all previews, and face keywording and keywording previews. You'll be better off waiting until these issues are fixed. Even if you can't, the plug-in would still be a better option than a manual attempt, unless you're doing something other than migrating your Aperture library.

Aperture workflow between 2 computers

Can someone please tell me if the photo linked below represents the easiest way to work with aperture between a laptop/desktop combo? It doesn't seem like that much work, however if there is an easier way i'd be interested to know.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraserspeirs/270394373/
i'm also interested to know if once you go through all 8 steps, you can then make edits from either machine so long as they are 'reconnected' to the masters on the external drive(s).

thanks for the reply...
my libraries are huge..well at least getting there. I have 3 main libraries that I access at any given time. my current setup is as follows. I shoot fashion, an currently i work import about 10-20 shoots a project, then separate the shoots into folders by model/date. (i admit that may not be the best setup, so as we speak i am reorganizing, creating a new project for each shoot, which would reduce the file size should i need to export 1-2 projects for use/editing on my laptop while on the road. All of my Masters are referenced from external drives (about 2TB currently).
ideally i want the flexability to be able to do initial imports (and possibly edits) onto my laptop when shooting in the field, and then export those projects to my main workstation when i return to my studio. The ability to reimport those projects to my laptop for later use on the go if necessary would be a bonus, but will probably not happen as much as i'm implyig.
btw what is your website?

Suggestions for Aperture Workflow Similar to Lightroom?

Are there any past Lightroom users who have found a workflow that is similar to Lightrooms ability to have a Quick Collection as well as the ability to highligt an Album/Collection and set it as a Target Collection? I miss these two features more than anything else. I've tried the idea of setting up an Album as a smart Album to say, show all photos that have been flagged. This is the closeest option to a Quick Collection that I can think of. The downside is that if you want to flag images for different collections, the images from one collection will show up in the Album of another. The problem seems to be that there is no way to send things to an Album other than with Star Ratings or Flagged. There is also no way to select an album to make it the default album for putting image in. I've been racking my brain on how to make this all happen similar to what we had in Lightroom but can't come up with anything. I'm hoping that by discussing this somone else has figured a way around this problem. Hope to hear fsoem ideas.

You could use flags, ratings or colors to mark your images. Then create a new smart album called "Quick Collection". Check all options which are relevant to you. Now and in the future all flagged images will show up in this album.
Otherwise use meta data. You could create your own fields in the meta data tab of the inspector panel. For example I created a new field called "notes" which holds information which is only relevant to me. Put in "quick collection" or something appropriate. Create a preset. Apply the new preset to your images. You cold use the stamp tool for that.
You could use keywords. Maybe you have to hit -d- and -s- to show the keyword-options beneath the viewer. Create a new category and a new keyword "Quick collection" or something similar. You will see that your Keywords have shortcuts assigned. Option-1 will assign the first keyword to your image. Create a smart album which holds images with the choosen keyword.
English is not my first language but I hope my thoughts will be helpful.
Regards, Eberhard

Please help me Automate an Aperture/Photoshop workflow

I'm trying to streamline the process of exporting a RAW file from Aperture to Photoshop for editing and then re-importing it into Aperture. I have zero experience with Automator, but someone else on the Discussions site was kind enough to share hte Automator process he uses for this.
Problem is, I can't get mine to work (or I don't know how to make it work).
I created a folder called "Photoshop-IN" where I would export the RAW files from Aperture that need editing. Then I created a folder called "Aperture-IN" where the completed Photoshop files would be exported for re-import into Aperture. Then I created this workflow:
http://homepage.mac.com/chriskresser/PhotoAlbum16.html
I think the workflows are correct, but I don't know what to do at this point. The original poster said something about making them "watched folders", but I have no idea what that means or how to do that.
To test the workflows, I tried exporting a RAW photo from Aperture to a "Photoshop-IN" folder. Then I opened Automator and clicked the play button for the designated workflow. It tells me it executed properly, but nothing happens. The CR2 file wasn't opened in Photoshop, is still in the folder, and didn't get moved to the trash.
I also tested the other workflow (getting PSD file back into Aperture), and that doesn't seem to be working either. With this workflow, I get the following message. "Aperture got an error. Some parameter wasn't understood. (-1715)".
What am I doing wrong? I realize that this might be pretty far off topic, as it is more a question of how to use Automator and possibly AppleScript. But any help would be appreciated, including direction to some resources where I could learn more about Automator (the help section is woefully inadequate!)
Thanks again,
Chris
G5 2.0 dual-core Mac OS X (10.4.3) 17" Apple LCD, iSight, Bluetooth Keyboard & Logitech Cordless Laser Mouse

Your PS-in workflow is too complex, all it needs is a Finder action to open in PS:
http://www.azurevision.co.uk/aperture/open-in-ps-action.jpg
Then File>Save as Plug-in..., choose 'Folder Actions' and then where it asks what folder to attach it to, navigate to your folder. Now, every file that is copied, moved or saved into that folder will be opened in PS.
The import into Aperture workflow is mostly OK, but you are passing a folder from the first action, not files. Try adding a 'Get Folder Contents' action just after the first action. With a bit of jiggling around and using the two actions of that workflow you should be able to save it as a folder action.
A couple more threads using a slightly different approach:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1292903
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1372571
Basically these export a RAW file out to a watched folder (as you are trying to do), but instead of saving it out and re-importing into Aperture, a duplicate file is made in Aperture by using 'Open in external editor' and saving the converted file into that.
Ian

Aperture and ACR workflow

For those who find Aperture's Camera RAW conversion too primitive, the program can be used in a simple workflow that maximizes your productivity while insuring maximum quality conversion.
1- IMPORT your RAW images into Aperture and add keywords and other tags.
Aperture brings in the RAW image UNALTERED.
2- COMPARE AND SORT your images using the EXCELLENT TOOLS in Aperture.
You can also freely experiment with versions to test ideas for everything from exposure to B&W conversions.
3- SELECT YOUR BEST IMAGES inside Aperture.
Most of us working in the professional world are really only interested in using the top 1% or less of a typical shoot. It is only those that need to be converted as output for Giclee printing or as digital masters for retouching and CMYK printing.
4- EXPORT THOSE BEST IMAGES using the export "DIGITAL MASTERS..." command.
Many of us find Aperture's RAW conversion to be excellent but for those who don't, you can choose at this point all your selected images, which by now should be a very short list, and export them as UNALTERED RAW files to a folder outside of Aperture.
5- CONVERT those exported camera RAW images using whatever conversion program you want, for many it will be ACR, and do any extra retouching in Photoshop.
And for those worried about Aperture's filing system, you can store these exported "Best Images" exactly like you used to do, in old fashioned folders on your hard disk, in whatever categories make sense to you.
For those of us producing professional work on always shorter deadlines, Aperture is an outstanding tool that makes our job much easier.
Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Tom, first allow me to congratulate you on starting a practical thread. Now that many of us own Aperture, and I'm not saying the issues threads aren't useful, figuring out where it fits in our workflow is a fine idea.
Here is my (pre-Aperture) workflow, and some ideas for an interim (working with what we have) post-Aperture flow. I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Pre: Conversion mostly in ACR/Bridge (occasionally in C1Pro-generally fleshtones). Color Space generaly set in camera as Adobe RGB, same for PS. Preliminary sharpening with PhotoKit, noise reduction if necessary with neat image or noise ninja, adjustments, aspect ratio crops, etc. Save as TIFF/16bit layered if necessary/add "Base" to filename when saving. Reopen in PS for output specific sharpening, save flattened copy. Open in ImagePrint-Print. Library has been on external HDs, backed up to duplicate HDs which are taken off premises. Current library size:700Gigs and growing fast.
Post: Import into Aperture from Card, also backup RAWs to DVD. As suggested here, do sorts and picks in Aperture. Maybe do some crude adjusting for low res images for client proofs (web or contact sheets-sorry, haven't tried using Aperture with Epson drivers or tried the web posting). Export RAW picks for conversion and editing elsewhere (I have tested and the camera EXIFs are still there in PS (I'm not sure they will be on re-import?). So, now I've got a RAW with an attached .xmp, one or more Tiffs. I can reimport the TIFFs, but can I re-associate them with the Master? Is there any way that I can import the .xmp and associate it with the master? So, I can pick, web, go to printer and archive (although I'll hit a disk space issue-ideas there?)
I tried to do this without asking for changes in Aperture, but not using Aperture where I felt it was immature. There are already enough discussions about conversion, editing and storage. The interface is promising and I would welcome any shortcuts you can come up with. Meanwhile, I'm going to try with new shoots, and a few existing shoots for experimanetation, but leave my old library intact. Then I'm going to put Aperture's library on an 800Gig external eSATA RAID0 -two disk; and back up to another. Wish me luck.

Aperture Workflow

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