Combining Aperture Libraries

I am running Aperture 3.0 on a macbook with about 1,000 images in it and have another library (about 5,000 pics) on an external hard drive. Can someone advise on the best way to import the images from the external hard drive into Aperture on my macbook while making sure that I don't overwrite the existing images. Thanks.

This is easy to do in Aperture 3. Just use "File→Import→Library" while in the destination Library and select the source Library from the dialog. If your Images all have Managed Masters, copy the Masters into your Library. You will end up with two Libraries: the new combined Library, and your older "source" Library. Confirm that everything is in the new combined Library, and then -- if you'd like -- delete the old Library on your external drive.
As with anything you do on a computer, you should always have a backup before proceeding.
Message was edited by: Kirby Krieger -- not about deleting old drive added.

Similar Messages

Can i combine aperture libraries?

i have aperture running on three different machines and i wondered if there is a way to "combine" the three aperture libraries into a new library. how do folks use aperture with a desktop and a laptop for syncing work from the feild?
thanks,
glenn
MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

i have aperture running on three different machines
and i wondered if there is a way to "combine" the
three aperture libraries into a new library. how do
folks use aperture with a desktop and a laptop for
syncing work from the feild?
Well the unit of export is a project - most people moving between laptop and desktop migrate projects between the two.
You can combine libraries. the easiest way I would say would be to go into finder and right-click on each Aperture library to say "Show Package Contents". Then copy projects out of two of the libraries into the third. Copy only folders and .approject files, but do NOT copy the folders Aperture.aplib and "Built-in Smart Albums".
Then when you restart Aperture is will see the projects copying into the main one, and import them all. Of course I think it goes without saying that you'll want to back up that library before you start copying other things inside of it... this process should be faster than exporting and importing projects though, and is OK for the larger task of combining this library. Also I would say that either all librarys should have been converted by 1.5 or none of them, don't do it if the libraries are a mix of versions.

Combining Aperture Libraries on a MacBook Pro and an External Hard Drive

Hi all,
I'm hoping that you might be able to help me with a little advice!
Having taken the plunge and recently invested in a MacBook Pro, I have a couple of questions regarding use of the iPhoto/Aperture library.
I have already invested in Aperture for its' advanced editing features - which is great so far. However, the MacBook is the 13" retina with 512GB of storage - and, whilst still quite large, I'm worried that I'll quickly run out of storage as I do take rather alot of photos! So far, I've only imported my library from my iPhone and it tells me that I've already filled 20GB with photos (and I only had about 6GB of photos on my phone so I'm not sure what's happened there).
On my old non-Mac computer, I have approximately 250GB of photos which I'm reluctant to copy onto the MacBook for fear of instantly bogging it down by clogging up half of the memory. Ideally, what I would like to do is import the pictures (so I can still see them and still have a 'hard copy') so that they're in iPhoto - and then export the entire iPhoto library to an external hard drive (I've read about having it in the 'journaled' format so that should be OK). The EHD would then be regularly backed up.
However, for times when I'm away (eg, on holiday and fancy doing a bit of photo editing if I've got a couple of hours free), I don't much want to have to lug the hard-drive round with me.
Would it be possible to keep the "main" iPhoto library on the EHD - and then just import albums into it (from the MacBook) at regular intervals. For example, if I go away for a fortnight and come back with 14 new albums, can I merge these 14 albums with the iPhoto library stored on the EHD? I've read that Aperture can manage multiple libraries - but I'm not sure if it's designed to be used in this way...
Any help would be much appreciated!!!
Thanks,
James

James,
the title of your question is saying "Aperture", but in the body you are asking about iPhoto libraries.
Have you previously worked with iPhoto and are considering to switch to Aperture?
Would it be possible to keep the "main" iPhoto library on the EHD - and then just import albums into it (from the MacBook) at regular intervals. For example, if I go away for a fortnight and come back with 14 new albums, can I merge these 14 albums with the iPhoto library stored on the EHD? I've read that Aperture can manage multiple libraries - but I'm not sure if it's designed to be used in this way...
Any help would be much appreciated!!!
Aperture and iPhoto now share a unified library format. If you are having the latest version of iPhoto and of Aperture, both applications can open and update each others libraries.
Aperture 3.3: Using a unified photo library with iPhoto and Aperture
If you have multiple iPhoto libraries, you can easily consolidate them into one library, that could reside on an external drive.
if you want to use Aperture while on the road, with the external drive disconnected, you could export a small, partial aperture library from your main library with the projects you are currently working on, an later merge this working set back into your main library. That is, what I am doing when on vacation, and I'm only taking my MacBook Pro with me.
Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries

Combine / Join Aperture Libraries with possible duplicates

Hi All,
I am still finding my way in aperture.
My MacBook was replaced and I have two Aperture Libraries, one from the old MacBook, and one from the loan MacBook, which I had for about a month.
When my new MacBook arrived the Aperutre Library file from my original MacBook was reloaded and I have worked with that for a few weeks, without the images I had on the loan MacBook.
So I have pictures all over the place and I am constantly exiting Aperture and renaming the Aperture Library name to try to find the files I want.
Is there a way I can import / join both Aperture Libraries together so I can review?
Is there a way in Aperture to identify duplicate Master images?
Thanks
Stuart

Welcome to the forum.
There's currently no way to easily merge multiple Projects or Libraries, so unfortunately you've got yourself into a bit of a corner. You can combine the Libraries by exporting Projects from one Library and importing them into the other, but they will still be separate Projects (one with '(1)' at the end of the name). You would then need to go through the images and work out which is the most recent version.
There's also no easy way to find duplicates.
Ian
P.S. You can make feature requests at http://www.apple.com/feedback/aperture.html if you want the Aperture team to know about it.

Can two Aperture libraries be merged?

I have two computers and want to combine my Aperture libraries. Can that be done?
Thanks

"File→Import→Library/Project"
Instructions are on this page in the User Manual.
After you merge one Library into another, use only the combined Library.

Merging multiple Aperture libraries

I would like to merge multiple Aperture libraries. Some images occur in more than one library. Does anyone know what the merge process does with duplicated images? Thanks for any tips

Graham Bowyer wrote:
I would like to merge multiple Aperture libraries. Some images occur in more than one library. Does anyone know what the merge process does with duplicated images? Thanks for any tips
To me it's helpful to clarify what is meant by "duplicated images". To the Library, every Image is a record in a list of records. Some of these records may be identical. Being identical means they contain the same information. They are usually not linked in any way. Often, there may be Images that look identical, but have different information or other differences (size, date-stamp, file format of the Original, a copyright notice, bit-depth, etc., etc.). The computer does not know that Images look alike. To it, every Image is a record, and that's that.
Merging Libraries combines the two lists of Images into one bigger single list of Images. If one of the merged Libraries was created by "export as Library" from the other, Aperture will attempt to "merge" each Image from the second Library that matches an Image from the first Library into one Image in the merged Library.
Other than that, no attempt to eliminate duplicates is done during a merging of Libraries AFAIK.
As Léonie says, this is still new, and you should _at least_ make back-ups prior to doing anything, and are advised to try anything with smaller test Libraries before committing your main Library to any action.

How do I consolidate multiple iPhoto libraries on multiple machines into a single Aperture libraries?

Hullo all,
I run a smallish studio at a University, and I have inherited multiple Macs (2 Powerbooks, 2 Mac Pros) running multiple OS (2 on Mavericks, 2 on 10.7) and multiple versions of iPhoto. These have been used for photo and video work over the years, and each has its own stash of content, project files, etc. In an effort to organize, I wish to consolidate all the various iPhoto and Aperture libraries into a single library. I have a 16TB Pegasis RAID available via Thunderbolt to hold the material. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about this? My background is 20 years production work in film and video and I am rather new to still photo work and as such, do not know much about maintaining archives etc.
If I read correctly from other questions, I need to update all versions of iPhoto to be the same, establish the library on the Pegasus, then export all the files to that library? Is this correct? I am not sure I can update all computers to the current version (one is a late 2009 MacPro) Is there any easier way to do it? I am happy to purchase software if that makes the process easier.
Cheers! Thanks for any info!

iPhoto does not support to merge libraries into one.
The utility iPhoto Library Manager can merge libraries -
download here: iPhoto Library Manager
If you have access to Aperture, you can also use it to merge your libraries (see: Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries), but if you need to buy a tool, iPhoto Library Manager would be the more economic solution, and it is a must-have with iPhoto anyway.

How do I sync my iPad with multiple Aperture libraries?

I have an Ipad2 and use Aperture 3 with multiple libraries. iTunes only allows me to sync with the 'current' library (the one most recently opened in Aperture) which is a pain, as I sometime lose all my photos off the iPad if I've been using a different library. Is there a way around this?
Thanks!
Jan-Peter

There is a work around but it requires more manual effort from you.
Instead of syncing your iPad to Aperture or iPhoto, choose to sync it from a folder.
First create a new folder somewhere on your HD and then export versions from your various Aperture libraries to your folder. You'll need to manually manage this folder. For example, if you want something deleted from your iPad, you'd need to delete it from this folder. Adding new items to your Aperture library won't automatically update to your iPad until you export them to this folder and sync your iPad.

I have three aperture libraries. But just recently two of them (old from 2011) will not open. I get the following error: There was an error opening the database for the library "~/Pictures/Family IIi.aplibrary". Please help, thanks

I have three aperture libraries. But just recently two of them (old from 2011) will not open. I get the following error: There was an error opening the database for the library “~/Pictures/Family IIi.aplibrary”. Please help, thanks

Are all three libraries under your account or are they in different accounts? Any other errros on the system?
Start by doing the permission repair and library repair steps in Aperture 3: Troubleshooting Basics

I have two Aperture Libraries and would like to sync specific folders from both of them to my iPad.

I have two Aperture libraries stored on an external hard drive. Using iTunes on my Mac Book Pro can I sync selected projects from both Libraries to the same iPad?

No you cannot. Each device can only be synced with one photo library - Aperture or iPhoto.
You could however merge the two libraries, if you need to sync with photos from both libraries.

I have several iPhoto and aperture libraries... i want to get to one iPhoto library keeping only the latest photos. How can I do this?

Okay... I made the mistake of creating duplicate Aperture libraries because I decided I wanted to only use Aperture - then the news that Aperture is no longer going to be developed. I then confused myself and created duplicate iPhoto libraries (I can't even remember why anymore). At one point or another I have edited pictures in all of them and have no idea which pictures were edited. I just want to have one iPhoto library with the most recently edited photos and remove all the duplicates.
What is the best way to do this?
And... after doing all that, I need to keep backups of my photos on an external drive. What is the best way to do this?
iPhoto version 9.5.1
Thank you so much for any advice you can provide!

You can merge libraries into one with Aperture 3.3. or later.
Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
In merge-mode it will only keep the photos from one of the libraries.
And you can use Aperture to export partial libraries containing only the selected albums, projects, etc.
If you need to keep projects (books, calendars, cards) when merging your libraries, use Aperture and not iPLM:

Husband and Wife trying to combine music libraries and share between all Apple technologies in the house.

My husband and I both have apple ids which we use to purchase music, movies etc... We want to combine our libraries and pull from the same. We've been doing this manually - but wonder if we can use the Cloud to support 2 apple ids or if we have to create a 3rd apple id / email and somehow transfer our individual music to the 3rd apple id / email. Creating the 3rd email / apple id will be a pain since we will never use this as an email. We need Help figuring out the best approach.

You can't combine two Apple IDs... I have the same problem I have an iCloud mail account and an Apple ID i use to purchase music with and I'd love a way to combine them. Apple has said in the past their looking into a possible way of doing this but I'm doubtful they will... :/
However, sounds like iTunes Match will probably be the right solution for you http://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/

Managing Multiple Aperture Libraries

I use multiple Aperture libraries with Aperture 3.
When I start-up Aperture, I get a list of libraries that I've used in the past. However, some of the libraries are now deleted but still show up on that list. Is there any way to edit the list of libraries that appear on start-up?

Don't see any 'legitimate' way of doing it however.....
In the com.apple.Aperture.plist file this field is stored under RecentReferencedFolders which is just an array of file path names. The index into the array (the current displayed file path) *which is 0 based* is RecentReferencedFolderIndex . You could delete the entries you don't want and readjust the index to make sure it doesn't point past the end of the array.
The best thing to do, if one was foolish enough to try this, would be to leave at least one entry in the list and set the index to 0. Of course before doing this it would be a good idea to make a backup of the plist file.
Of course this is all theoretical, no one should ever edit the plist it just poor programming practice to have a list like this one and not provide a way to clear it. A feedback to Apple on this seems like a good idea.
Just to be sure we're all talking about the same list it's this one:
!http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13002668/Screen%20shot%202010-12-24%20at%2010.54.23%20. png!
The list under the *Store Files* pulldown.
Message was edited by: Frank Caggiano

What's the best way to merge, restore or reconstruct iPhoto and Aperture libraries to resolve images that are not found/offline?

Hey there, Apple Support Communities.
To start, I'm working on a MBP Retina 15" with a 2.3GHz i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM. 10GB free on a 256GB SS HD. Attached are two external HDs - one 1TB Western Digital portable drive from 2011, one 2TB Porsche LaCie non-portable drive from 2013; both connected via USB. All photo libraries in question are on the external drives.
I have Aperture 3.5.1 and iPhoto 9.5.1. I prefer to work in Aperture.
The Issue(s)
Over the years, I have accumulated a number of iPhoto libraries and Aperture libraries. At one point, I thought my WD drive was dying so I purchased the LaCie and copied all libraries over the the LaCie drive. (Turns out, there's probably an issue with my USB port reading drives, because I can once again see the WD drive and occasionally I can't see the LaCie drive.)
So now I have old version of some libraries on the WD drive, and new versions on the LaCie drive.
When I was moving things, I ran the software Gemini to de-dupe my iPhoto libraries. Not sure what effect that may have had on my issues.
In my main Aperture library and in some iPhoto libraries, I get the image-not-found badge or exclamation point. I've dug through the hidden Masters folders in various libraries to find the original image. In some cases, I have been able to find the original image, sometimes in a different version of the iPhoto library.
My Question(s)
1. For Aperture libraries that have missing originals, is there some magical way to find them, or have they just disappeared into the oblivion?
2. For iPhoto libraries that have missing originals and I have found the original in another iPhoto library, what is the best way to proceed?
3. Are there quirks to merging iPhoto and Aperture libraries (by using the Import->Library) feature that I should be aware of?
TL;DR: Too many iPhoto and Aperture libraries, and not all the original pictures can be found by the libraries anymore, though some originals still do exist in other libraries. Steps/process to fix?
Thank you! Let me know if you need add'l info to offer advice.
With appreciation,
Christie

That will not be an easy task, Christie.
I am afraid, your cleaning session with Gemini may have actually removed originals. I have never used this duplicate finder tool, but other posters here reported problems. Gemini seems to replace duplicate original files in photo libraries by links, and this way, deleting images can cause the references for other images to break. And Aperture does not follow symbolic links - at least, I could never get it to find original files this way, when I experimented with this.
1. For Aperture libraries that have missing originals, is there some magical way to find them, or have they just disappeared into the oblivion?
You have to find the originals yourself. If you can find them or restore them from a backup, Aperture can reconnect them. The reconnect panel can show you, where the originals are supposed to be, so youcan see the filename and make a Spotlight search.
For iPhoto libraries that have missing originals and I have found the original in another iPhoto library, what is the best way to proceed?
Make a copy of the missing original you found in a folder outside the iPhoto library. You can either open the iPhoto library in Aperture and use "File > Locate Referenced file" to reconnect the originals, or simply reimport them. Then Lift&Stamp all adjustments and metadata to the reimported version.
See this manual page on how to reconnect originals: Aperture 3 User Manual: Working with Referenced Images (the paragraph: Reconnecting Missing or Offline Referenced Images)
Are there quirks to merging iPhoto and Aperture libraries (by using the Import->Library) feature that I should be aware of?
References images will stay referenced, managed will remain managed. You need to unhide all hidden photos in iPhoto - this cannot be done in Aperture.
and not all the original pictures can be found by the libraries anymore, though some originals still do exist in other libraries. Steps/process to fix?
That is probably due to Gemini's replacing duplicate originals by links, and your best cause of action is to fix this before merging the libraries. Reconnecting can be done for your iPhoto libraries in Aperture.

Add both iPhoto and Aperture libraries

Can I upload both my iPhoto and Aperture libraries to Photos (after the initial install). I found out after installation that I could have used the option key to import multiple libraries. But after initial install, I cannot seem to add a library, just individual photos.

Photos cannot merge libraries. It just can switch between libraries, when you hold down the options key while launching Photos.
You could use Aperture to merge your iPhoto Library into the Aperture Library (see Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries).
This would require compatible Aperture and iPhoto versions.
After merging both libraries with Aperture launch Photos with the alt/options key held down and select the merged library. Photos will create an upgraded copy of the library. Now you can delete the previous Photos library and enable the new library as Photos System Library in the Photos Preferences > General.
Are you using iCloud Photo Library with Photos? With enough storage you could try to merge the libraries in iCloud, but uploading from several libraries will not preserve the faces.

Combining Aperture Libraries

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