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

Similar Messages

Multiple Aperture Libraries onto iPad

I have several Aperture Libraries.
just got an iPad 2 last week.
I would like to bring in several Photo Albums into the iPad that are spread across multiple Aperture Libraries.
I appears that iTunes only lists the "current" Aperture library's albums when it gives me a choice of photos to bring in.
Is it possible to link albums from several Aperture Libraries to my iPad? I realize I could manually export everything I'm looking for separately, but don't want to do all that extra work.
Thx

I would also like to know this.
It seems to me that the concept of syncing with the "current" library does not even make any sense for a product which is advertised to handle multiple libraries.

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 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.

Merging of multiple aperture libraries into one master library

Over the years, due to limited disk space on my Mac, I ended up having now 3 aperture libraries in 3 separate external hard drive, totaling between he 3 libraries over 2TB of photo storage. I just purchased an additional 4TB external drive (my 4th external hard drive from Lacie) to put ALL my separate Aperture libraries into ONE (1) master Aperture library. I would like to know if anyone could help me with a set of step by step instructions to MERGE my 3 separate Aperture libraries into ONE (1) MASTER library on my newly purchased 4TB external drive. I've looked online and found several articles dealing with merging libraries from multiple computers. I tried them all and was NOT able to do what I would like to do. PLEASE, if any of you have done what I would love to do or knows how to do it, I would appreciate your help. A step by step instructions regarding how to do it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much! Robert

Thanks Kieby,
This is what I did: 1.) File/Swith to Library/Other/New To create a new Aperture library which I called MasterAperture Library. The new library was created on my new 4TB external driver.
2.) I then CLOSED Aperture and re-opened it using my default Aperture library located on my Picture folder (Aperture Library).
3.) I did: File/Export/Project as new Library. I chose my external hard drive with the filename: MAsterAperture Library, EXPORT.
The first time I did that nothing happened, I still had an empty MasterAperture Library files without any pictures.
Then I did the same thing thing, except this time, I high lighted my first Projects and went down to my items on my albums and then CTL-H so everthing would be high lighted (ALl my projects and all my albums). Then I did step 3 to the MasterAperture Library and I was able to get the MasterAperture Library as an image copy of the content of the Aperture Library located on my Pictures folder.
Then another problem came up, when I tried to replicateduplicate the same steps outlined above to merge my other 2 remaining libraries, I could NOT do so because the process, at that time, told me that the file MasterAperture Library already exists and if I were to continue, the content of MasterAperture Library will be replaced. Of course this is not wantt. I would like to be able to MERGE the contents of the 2 or 3 remaining libraries that I have currently located in different external drive/locations into the file MasterAperture Library located on my 4TB external drive, and do so, if possible, without too many duplications (if possible, because if I have to remove duplicated projects/albums/photos later, I am willing to do so)!. By the way, I've read the Aperture userguide more than once and have tried the approaches suggested in the guide without succes yet. Thanks again for your kind help. Regards, Bob

Consolidating Multiple Aperture Libraries

Hi there
I'm having one those "how did I let his happen" moments as I now have three (yep, 3) different Aperture library files on 3 different hard drives. Is there any easy(ier) way to consolidate them then doing a direct export out from 2 libraries and then importing those 2 into one to keep as a master library? I really need to to preserve folder infrastructure, and individually exporting albums and projects would be a huge pain.
thanks so much,
bret

Not an Apple sanctioned way, but the way I would do it.
Make sure you have all drives backed up.
Quit Aperture.
"Control Click" on the three Aperture Libraries and "Show Package Contents".
Drag the projects from the other 2 Libraries onto the 1 you want to keep.
Start Aperture on the 1 Keeper Library.
When Aperture starts it will ask you to rebuild, say yes.
Go grab a cup of coffee while Aperture works.....
One final thing. If you have albums etc. that you want to keep, move all of the projects, albums, etc. into a single folder within Aperture before moving them in the finder, and then in the finder move the folder containing everything over to the united Library.

Multiple Aperture Libraries the best way to go?

Many thanks in advance for your attention.
Somewhat new to Aperture and take photos for a living. Last two days took some 500 photos (will probably eventually whittle those down to 20).
I have about thirty Projects so far and am thinking I should turn each of them into their own Library.
As each project will only grow and expand and I hear Aperture has trouble once it is filled with a lot of photos in different project folders.
That way, each time I back up a Library, I will only be backing up that one Library, not that one Library and all the other Libraries each time.
That way, I am assuming, with one Project per Library (instead of 100 projects in one Library), Aperture will perform better.
I am sure there could be many, but any stumbling blocks to this idea?
Any workflow to doing this to insure each new Library has all of its key internal info?
I thought, making each Project its own Library would be better sooner than later.

moonlightcaravan wrote:
I thought, making each Project its own Library would be better sooner than later.
Nope. Like others have eloquently described above, multiple Libraries are a bad idea.
What you do want to do better sooner than later is use a Referenced-Masters Library workflow, which will keep your Library size civilized. Keep the Library on an internal drive and Masters on external drives.
IMO referenced Masters make far more sense than building huge managed-Masters Libraries.
• Hard disk speed. Drives slow as they fill so making the internal drive more full (which managed Masters always does) will slow down drive operation.
• Database size. Larger databases are by definition more prone to "issues" than smaller databases are.
• Vaults. Larger Library means larger Vaults, and Vaults are an incremental repetitive backup process, so again larger Vaults are by definition more prone to "issues" than smaller Vaults are. One-time backup of Referenced Masters (each file small, unlike a huge managed-Masters DB) is neither incremental nor ongoing; which is by definition a more stable process.
Managed-Masters Libraries can work, but they cannot avoid the basic database physics.
Very important is that image originals should be backed up in multiple locations prior to import into Aperture or any other images management application. Yes there are printed workflows that fail to note that critical step. Such manuals, tutorials, etc. are incompetent in that regard.
As you start out with Aperture learn what referenced Masters are, and always use a Referenced-Masters Library. If you screw up and some images get "managed" instead of "referenced" that is no big deal because from within Aperture Masters can easily be relocated.
Managed masters or mixed managed and referenced masters are fine in the beginning with few images; the reason for always using a Referenced-Masters Library even in the beginning with only a few GB of image files is for consistency. Consistency reduces the likelihood of error, and later as Library size grows having Masters referenced on external drives will be far superior.
HTH
-Allen Wicks

Managing multiple iTunes libraries

My primary iTunes library, and the one that is synched to 2 iPhones, is on my desktop iMac with the files stored externally on a HD. My second iTunes library is synched to my iPad, and on my laptop MBP, but there is no real data on the MBP.
I am about to move temporarily for 6 months so won't have access to my iMac but will have my MBP and want to bring the external HD with my media. I'm happy to get rid of the current library on the MBP and would like to move the library file from my iMac to MBP so the library there thinks it is the same library as exists on my iMac. Can someone please recommend the best way to do this? My goal is so thisdoesn't necessitate me to choose that I sync my iOS devices with a "new" library and therefore have to re-fill with media. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

you might want to have a look at 3rd party apps such as PowerTunes. you will have to be on OS X 10.4.9 (rather than 10.4.2 as per your signature) to run it.
btw, you seem to be on Macs, yet post in the iTunes for winsloth forum. in case you're using PC's, the above-mentioned app will not work for you.

Multiple aperture libraries?

I am a dentist and take many before and after photographs of cosmetic cases I complete. I also take many family photos. I have one library for both with many projects but would love to have a "family only" library and one for my dental practice. Is is practical to have more than one library on my MacBook Pro and switch between the two?

The best way is to export complete projects so that any adjustments, keywords etc go along with them.
Select the Project the choose File>>Export Project(s) (best to choose the consolidate masters into project option.)
Then in the new library choose File>>Import Project(s)
After they're secure in the new library, delete them from the old library.
Don't forget to back everything up.
BTW: I had a client who was a dermatologist, and one REALLY would not want THOSE images mixed in with family photos.
DLS

Merge multiple Aperture and iPhoto libraries into Photos?

I have around 80GB of material in multiple Aperture libraries, and around 12GB of old material in iPhoto. Is it even sensible to think about holding all this data in Photos, and if so, how is it possible to import multiple libraries? The option to convert an existing library only seems available at first start-up, and is then limited to only one library.

Yes it is practical - but you have to merge the libraries before converting libraries to Photos - Aperture can do that
LN

Best practices managing multiple iPhoto librarys

I think that my challege in managing multiple iPhoto libraries is shared by a lot of amateur photographers. My wife and I both have Apple MacBook Airs and we both take and upload photos. About every three months I merge the two iPhoto libraries with the iPhoto Library Manager. Then I take the output of the merge and replace both MacBook iPhoto libraries.
Thinking out loud, would it be easier and less labor intensive to have both my wife and I share the same library? I remember reading a caution statement regarding the possible iPhoto file corruption when sharing.
Any suggestions?

Thinking out loud, would it be easier and less labor intensive to have both my wife and I share the same library? I remember reading a caution statement regarding the possible iPhoto file corruption when sharing.
The alternative would be to keep separate photo libraries - one for your wife and one for you.
I found it much easier to haveseparate photo libraries and just share the best photos with the other family members, after they have been tagged and edited. Export them and give them the other family members to import them to their libraries. Or transfer them using a shared photo stream.
This avoids fighting about which photos to keep and how to adjust the photos.

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.

Multiple iPhoto libraries to manage photostreams in different ways

My wife and I both have iPhone's. I have a 5s and she a 5. We share an iCloud account so that all photos she takes and ones I take go into one photostream and then automatically get loaded on my iMac hard drive. This way we are sure to not lose any photos.
This works great for that purpose. However, I would like to create an iPhoto library that will only upload photos taken with my iPhone.
I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Is there a way to do this?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may offer.
Keith

I know I can create multiple iPhoto libraries, but I would like to have the ability to manage preferences for each so that they manage photos in different ways.
Keith, the problem is, that only one iPhoto ibrary can be associated with the photo stream on any device, see e.g. http://documentation.apple.com/en/aperture/usermanual/index.html#chapter=14%26se ction=2%26tasks=true
Photo Stream is designed to work with one Aperture or iPhoto library at a time. However, it’s easy to switch the library Photo Stream uses to upload and download photos.
If you enable the photo stream in a different library, the photo stream will be removed from the earlier library. You would continually have to reanable the photo straem when switching between libraries, and each time the stream would be reset. This way, auto matic import will not work reliably, because the photo stream would only be seeing the current ly stored photos in iCloud.
Have you considered to use the Shared Photo Streams for specific purposes? I am using the Shared Photo Streams as thematic iCloud albums, for wildlife photos, family photos, etc.
iCloud: Using and troubleshooting Shared Photo Streams
-- Léonie

Managing multiple libraries for multiple family members

I have four family members with multiple iTune libraries, including two that need to be age appropriate for our children. To add to this burden, we now have an iPad as well. How do I best manage these libraries, minimizing duplicate purchases, enabling each to have store accounts for gift card purchases, and sync each iPod simply for those not familiar with the apple software? Can I merge our libraries, create different users with their songs and accounts for purchases and syncing logins? We have two operating systems in the home, mac and pc? Argh, this is cumbersome, my library has over 4000 items, other family members have much smaller libraries, but would like their own individual libraries. Should I merge and make separate playlists for each user? If so, how can I incorporate my own vast library of playlists already created?
Help me please, any suggestions?
Rob Mc

There are 3 options. See this page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
My advice is to use option #1 and have each user with a separate windows userID. They can each keep their own itunes library database file with ratings, play counts, playlists.
Have all the library content in a public folder to avoid filling the PC's hard drive with duplicates.
You can use a 3rd-party utility program like iTunes Folder Watch to update all the libraries when new content gets added.
Method #2 is easiest, but then ratings and play counts will not be separated. Also, they have to remember to log out of the itunes store and log in with their own ID when making purchases. Something to watch for when kids are involved with their own gift cards....this is not a problem with method #1.
Method #3 seems to give a lot of people grief because all users MUST use a shift-start of itunes to choose their own library. Woe has fallen on many who have tried this method.
As for using both Mac & PC, itunes & ipods are designed to only sync with one PC. There is a way around that, but you either have to do a lot of manual backing up and copying, or buy something like TuneRanger.

Can I merge multiple iPhoto libraries in the new Photo's app. This was not possible in iPhoto but is possible in Aperture.

Now that iPhoto is 'Photos' on 10.10.3 is it possible to merge multiple iPhoto libraries. It is possible to this this in Aperture but not in iPhoto (I'm using 10.10.2 and can't upgrade until other software I use is qualified for 10.10.3). Here's the deal - I changed my drive to an SSD and backed up my old hard drive (which had the original iPhoto library on it. I did a clean install with my new drive so iPhoto created a new (blank) library. This upgrade was done a few months ago so now I have 2 different iPhoto libraries. Note that the newer library is connected to iCloud and if I was to 'Switch Libraries' it will delete my current photo stream. There is a way to do this manually - I could switch to the old library and locate the root folders in the 'newer library', move them to a new folder and import. This procedure is awkward and not my preferred route. So if there's anyone using the new 'Photos' app on 10.10.3 please let me know thanks!

To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

Managing Multiple Aperture Libraries

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for