How do I down-grade from Aperture 3 to Aperture 2?

Question

With great gusto I installed Aperture 3 on release. I now have an unusable piece of junk instead of a photo app. I've tried to get work done with it, I just can't. It simply isn't usable.
I need to down-grade, but I'm worried that just copying back my library and my old program files won't be enough. for a start, Software update installed an extra package for Aperture 3 - so what will happen if I try to use Aperture 2 when that's still installed? Or can I un-install that update?
Any guidance would be much appreciated. I can't be the only person trying to turn back time on this dud update!
Bart.

Answer 1

Hi Bart.
I am sorry you are having problems. Until a few days ago I felt similarly to you but, having contacted Apple Aperture Support and implemented their suggestions, I have had no further lock ups or crashes.
Some background:-
I have been using Aperture since 1.5 & I have used Lightroom since Beta 1. Because I rely on these apps. heavily and because Adobe and Apple appeared to be leap frogging each other with better and better features as each app. matures, I have run BOTH apps. side by side since the early days. A bit of an over kill perhaps but that`s what I do.
Now, Aperture 2 was a huge upgrade from 1.5 and superior to the currrent LR version. When LR 2.0 was released I foolishly purchased and installed. Well, this version was appalling; local adjustments were almost unusable but I was also experiencing other issues. I contacted Adobe LR support and found them arrogant and rude at the extreme!! I wrote to the head honcho in an extremely strongly worded letter and demanded a refund as the software was not fit for purpose. Very quickly I received a reply with a series of helpful suggestions. Those I duly implemented and LR 2.0 worked reasonably well BUT, the local adjustments were still a sack of C**P! I returned LR 2.0 to the background and used AP 2.0 in my primary workflow. LR was upgraded, local adj. became useable, quite good actually and I then implemented LR into my primary workflow. Aperture was becoming a bit long in the tooth by now with lots or rumours about it`s demise. Well eventually AP 3.0 was released! I downloaded and started to use it with some newly imported images, leaving my AP 2.0 library alone and VERY well backed up (obviously). I experienced a shed load of problems - crashing, lock ups and other weird things! I had no problems with any other App.
I decided to ring Apple Aperture Support. The difference between Apple Support and Adobe Support was like chalk & cheese! Apple were punctual, pleasant, efficient whereas Adobe were just plain slow and arrogant (mostly).
The guy from Apple asked me loads of questions about my system, workflow etc and we spent about 30 mins chatting. He suggested a plan that I invoked as he talked through this on the line.
Now, I know you are a computer scientist and I am NOT but I do know my way around the Mac quite well and i am a professional photographer with not a little experience. To that end I can only explain to yoou what I did and the effects.
1. We created a Guest account and ran Ap. clean. New library and new imports - worked well.
2. Logged in to my account, deleted the Aperture plist, deleted the library and re-imported a small number of images.
3. To date I have had NO crashes or lovc ups, in fact Ap 3.0 is working beautifully if not a little
resource hungry! I Have FACES switched OFF).
4. It was also suggested that I reinstall the app. but I have not found that necessary.
5. Support also suggested that as it is "early days" with 3.0 users are better placed to install and use initially with a new library BEFORE importing AP 2.0 libs.
6. Images I process in Aperture 3.0 using NIkon D700 & D3 look fantastic and I am very happy with the results.
7. I have used virtually every aspect of Ap. 3.0 and have not had any problems with Export to Mobile Me, Places, Slideshow etc.
8. There is no doubt that AP 3.0 is resource hungry. I have the Activity Monitor open when using Ap. and at times both Memory & CPU resources appear to be very "stretched".
As I say I am not a super geek but I do know Aperture (and Lightroom) and cannot explain fully why I no longer have any problems? I do know however that Ap. is working beautifully and I will almost certainly be using this in my main workflow whilst continuing to use LR in the background.
There is no doubt that this upgrade was immense and if Apple continue to evolve this app. quickly AND update RAW support in a timely fashion I will probably use it.
MY Hardware:-
iMac 24" - 2.4 GHZ Intel Core Duo 4GB Ram ATI RadeonHD2600
I hope this of interest and also hope that if anyone is experiencing any problems with AP. 3.0 that they are resolved in a timely fashion.
Hope your AP 2.0 Library was backed up - you are a computer scientist after all (:-
Regards.
Nick