Mounting Aperture library on file server

It appears that Aperture has all the organizational functionality that my group has long needed, but we wondered if the library can be mounted on a centralized file server so that multiple users can simultaneously access it from their workstations.
I read a thread entitled "One Computer, Two Users, Shared Library?" that discussed permissions, but I am interested to know if anyone has experience using Aperture by having the application on each client machine and the library on the server?
Bill

William,
Thanks for the DAM software suggestions. The Extensis Portfolio Server 8 looks promising so far. However, check out the way James Pittman (on a later thread) is doing it just with Aperture by having their master photoss reside on an XRaid file server and referencing them to each user's Aperture library.
Bill

Similar Messages

Two users using same Aperture Library on a server...

Hi,
I work in a small design studio, two of us. We used to keep our Aperture library on our server and both use the same library. We both have our own copies of Aperture so can't see why this would be an issue.
We have both upgraded to Aperture 3 and again would like to use the same library, but since upgrading only I can access the library?
Any ideas

I checked the Aperture license agreement and the word "library" is not mentioned in the agreement so that shouldn't be the problem. Have you called Apple Technical Support to discuss? Have you provided feedback to Apple as this would seem to be a bug, not an intentional limitation? http://www.apple.com/feedback/aperture.html
Just a shot in the dark but I wonder if you will have success if you both use an identical /home/library/preferences/com.apple.Aperture.plist file. The database changed in Aperture 3 from Aperture 2 and it may be that the database is now storing more information about the system than before. Sorry I can't debug as I only have one Aperture licence serial number.

Vault (external) file size Versus Aperture Library (internal) file size discrepancy?

Using Aperture 3.3.1 (all my images are Referenced). I created my first vault on an external hard drive. The Vault.apvault file size is 32.8 GB. My Aperture Library.aplibrary file size on my iMac hard drive is 81.6 GB. So I am wondering if I have a full back-up in Vault or not. Seems like a large discrepency in file size. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

Do any Images that you don't expect show up when you filter "Photos" using the Rule "File Status" with the argument "Managed"?
If not, then close Aperture and repair your database. Instructions are on the Apple Aperture trouble-shooting page.
Does that make any difference?

Aperture library on network / server

Hello -
Just wondering if anyone has any advice / experience on storing the Aperture library on a network drive. Would this affect performance ?
Also - anyone tried using Aperture with a Mobile Account in Snow Leopard Server?
Thanks,
Andrew

This is a very bad idea. If the network protocol you are using does not support the file names that Aperture uses in its library, your library will get corrupted and you could possibly lose photos. Here's an example of one of the folder names in the Aperture library:
2009-10-28 @ 08/45/03 PM - 1.apimportgroup
I can see that causing lots of troubles with the forward slashes.
Also, Aperture is not multi-user and I don't believe it locks the library (why would you need to, for a single-user app?) so if you tried to concurrently access it from multiple machines you could have issues.
The only way that would work for a network library is if you created a disk image on the network share and formatted it as HFS+, and then mounted it on the client and stored the library there. That will work (I've used this for my vault, actually). Still, performance will NOT be as good as locally attached storage. GigE has a theoretical max bandwidth of ~1 Gbps but it's not in practice going to be as fast as a 7200 RPM drive that can do 80 MB/sec without really working too hard.

Question: Multiple iTunes users w/ single music library on file server

My son and I (separate computers) host all of our music on a common file server. Initially, it was my music library...when he loaded iTunes, it imported everything and all was fine.
However, now if I add a few songs to the library (I can see them in the shared folders that we both have setup as our music folder within iTunes) they don't show up in his music library unless we either import them or drag them from File Mgr into iTunes.
There has to be an "automatic" way...doesn't there?
I'm eager for suggestions.
Thanks much,
Rick

Sorry to say, there is not an easier way and folks have been requesting it from Apple for years.
You are running into the situation noted in this article, towards the end
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
+When another user of the computer has imported new music from CD, repeat steps 6 through 8 to add the music to your library.+

How can i use an aperture library on a 2009 white macbook?

I made a set of 6 Aperture libraries on my MacPro Westmere using latest version. These open on my MP in iPhoto as well.
A colleague needs these libraries (organisation related photo categories).
They would not open on his white 2009 MacBook -- OS 10.8 with 4GB RAM and oodles of disk space -- with his version of iPhoto - 9.1.
Downloaded latest version 9.4.1 -- Installer says that OS 10.8.2 is required.
Downloaded and installed version 9.3.1 -- claims to be compatible with Aperture library.
File will not open -- Incompatible ProKit message.
Software update does not show any system updates available.
Downloaded 10.8.2
Tried to install -- failed -- Not compatible with this volume
Sigh (repeat x10)
Am I missing something -- I have read lots of slightly similar but different installation issues with 10.8.2 -- all very dispiriting.
ben
0

Thanks again
but...
As I said in my post...
Downloaded 10.8.2
Tried to install -- failed -- Not compatible with this volume
I should have said the 10.8.2 Combo
As I said, it would not update -- it reported that the update was incompatible with this volume!
Yet the minimum specs for 10.8 (now running the machine only installed two weeks ago) and 10.8.2 have not changed.
I might add that I have been working with Macs from day 1 and on Apple ][s from almost day 1.
ben

Sharing the same Aperture Library between two Mac's?

gents does any of you manage to share the same Aperture Library between your iMAC and a MacBook?
How can I do it without risking to lose anything or to jeopardize the integrity of my library backup?
the idea is to work on Projects while I am on the move and placing them back into my Main Library sitting on my iMAC at home...
Thx!
P

For each project you want to work on, CTRL + Click the project and "Export -> Project as new library". These new temporary libraries can be moved to your MacBook for working on.
When you come back, import the libraries back to your main Aperture Library with "File -> Import -> Library" and choose to merge your changes. The changes you made will be added to your main library. The temporary libraries can then be deleted.
Deleting them avoids the temptation of working on them later, possibly creating conflicts. It best to export new copies from your main library each time you work away so you know you have current up to date versions.
-Najinsky

Auditing file server setup issues - nfs permissions

I have half-dozen Solaris 10 workstations requiring Solaris Auditing enabled and audit files saved. I used a spare Solaris 10 system with 2-72GB disks and formatted 2nd disk for entired 72GB. I shared out the 72GB partition on this system and modified /etc/security/audit_control on a test Solaris 10 W/S to use the shared-out partition on Audit file server as primary audit directory. Following directions in Solaris 10 Admin Gde I chmod -R 750 the mount pt using the 72GB partition before sharing out the partition. However, all client W/S's that I enable Auditing would not use the 72GB partition on file server until I went back and chmod 777 the partition and rebooting file server. Also, on any client that I have enabled Auditng to use nfs-mounted 72GB partion on file server I cannot as a non-root user issue a "df -k" command without getting error:
df: cannot statvfs /var/audit/fmaud.1/files: Permission denied
Is this normal or did I miss a chmod step or two in setting up Audit clients and/or Audit file server?

The roundcube db schema needs to setup manually. See /usr/share/webapps/roundcube/INSTALL
Also, from your /etc/webapps/postfixadmin/config.inc.php:
$CONF['domain_path'] = 'NO';
$CONF['domain_in_mailbox'] = 'YES';
$CONF['maildir_name_hook'] = 'NO';
..which results in /var/mail/vmail/[email protected]
From your dovecot.conf
mail_home = /var/mail/vmail/%d/%u
...which results in /var/mail/vmail/domain.com/user
That doesn't fit together.

Can I store my Aperture library on an external Hard Disk?

I have a MacBook Pro with very few free space on its internal hard drive. My Aperture library is getting very heavy and i would like to move my Aperture library to an external HD. I know that you can keep files where they are and see them in your aperture library, but the thing i'm trying to do is to STORE AND OPEN MY APERTURE LIBRARY (.APLIBRARY FILE) FROM AN EXTERNAL HARD DISK. Is this possible?

It is possible to put the Aperture library on an external HD as long as the HD is formatted correctly see: Format external drives to Mac OS Extended before using with Aperture
However keep in mind that depending on the HD type and the way it is connected to your Mac performance may be an issue. For the best possible outcome the external drive should have a large cache, high RPM and be connected via firewire.
The other option to explore is to put the masters on an external drive and keep the library on the internal. This will give you relatively good performance using a standard USB drive.

No opening of Aperture Library.aplibrary any more: HOW TO GET ACCESS?

It took me a long time till I decided to write this topic- I tried ALL the tips and hints described in this forum before.
This is the situation: APERTURE (1.5.2) does not open its library any more.
After having read about similar problems described in this forum, and after not beeing able to resolve the problem, I finally...
- backed up the whole machine
- reinstalled system (10.4.9) including all system updates (clean install, formatting HD)
- re-installed APERTURE from original DVD
- ran updater to arrive to APERTURE 1.5.2
- re-installed new Prokit File in System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ProKit.framework/Versions/A/Prokit, got the file here: http://www.itsadirtyword.com/downloads/ProKit.zip, from thread
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=892893&tstart=30
- opened Aperture.
Till here all OK. Aperture opens and shows a vergin project, asking if I wish to import sample project.
Now I wish to get my photographs back from the backup file.
I give the command "rebuild from backup" (maybe in english it's different, I do have a german version of APERTURE installed, there it is called "Bibliothek wiederherstellen").
Now APERTURE starts (and shows me) the import process, counting down around 80.000 files (there are not THAT many photographs, I guess it includes all the preview-files). This takes quite a while. When finished, it says: "Import was OK, now you have to re-start the program". No choice is given, I just push the restart button, APERTURE quits, launches again- but it does not open the project file. Just the startup screen is seen, and then the menu- but no window.
If I check for the Aperture Library.aplibrary file, it is there, in the correct folder, now 42 GB, which corresponds to the size of the backup file.
I do not have a chance to open it, however.
Even if I Quit the program, throw away com.apple.Aperture.plist (from >Library>Preferences) and re-start it again, it won't open the Library File. Just nothing comes.
Throwing the Aperture Library.aplibrary file, it causes APERTURE to create a new one upon start-up. If I then re-import the backup file, the same thing will happen again: Once the re-import finished, it will not open the project window any more.
I absolutely NEED to access these photographs. Please help.
Thank you,
Markus
Mac Book Pro 17'' Dual Core, 200GB, 2 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Mac Book Pro 17'' Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Mac Book Pro 17'' Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Thank you so much, David, for your efforts!
I had tried this, but no result.
As APERTURE worked as soon as I had thrown the BIG library (the program just created a virgin library, which worked when importing pictures), I presumed the problem was the library file.
Even if I get upset that this kind of data base file is not bullet-proof, storing thousands of pictures which have enormous value (and where even the BACKUP file seemed to be corrupted, as the problem came up restoring the backup file!), I started from the idea that the problem was this library file.
So, I...
- made APERTURE create a virgin library.
- opened the old (corrupted?) library file by option-clicking on the file and clicking onto "Show Packet Content".
- I IMPORTED the different "xxx.approject"-files by hand into the new library.
This took me a quite while, but now it seems the system is up again.
Some photographs (shot in Nikon RAW format) show as "not supported file", I have to see how to deal with this, and if for example by exporting them I can save something.
I now made a backup, creating a new vault, and it worked with no error messages. Also controlling the vault file, everything seems to be there.
So, "somehow" all is saved, even if the real problem has not been found. This is why I will not set the flag on "Answered question".
As I mentioned before, I think that this data base handling of APERTURE has to be (nearly) 100% safe, as Mac OSX is.
It just HAS to work, no chance to arrive to "corrupted files" or something like this.
Apple: Build in automatic database repairings, make sure the backup files ARE ok (mine was not, it seems), do whatever is necessary for not leaving any possibility for "inconsistent files" or stuff like that.
If these things just CAN (and do) happen, the software is not worth a penny.
The photographs just HAVE to be in a secure place, like money brought to bank just HAS to be safe there. If even the BACKUP file is corrupted, WHERE is the security for my photographs?
Apple, if you wish to play in the "professional filed", this just HAS to work. No other choice.
Thanks again David for your efforts!
Markus
Mac Book Pro 17'' Mac OS X (10.4.9)
Mac Book Pro 17'' Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I have an iPhoto library with only Jpeg's in it. I just installed Aperture 3.5 and imported several RAW photos. Shouldn't I now have an Aperture library?

I have an iPhoto library with only Jpeg's in it. I just installed Aperture 3.5 and imported several RAW photos in Aperture. Shouldn't I now have an Aperture library?

Should I create an Aperture library and import all of my photos from iPhoto to the new Aperture library? Then delete my iPhoto library entirely? Just trying to get my library structure correct from the get-go as I plan to shoot only in RAW.
That is not an easy question. There are still a few glitches with the unified library approach. For example, the new iWork applications will not yet show the Aperture library in the Media Browser, only the current iPhoto library. If you are using iWork with your photolibrary, keep it an iPhoto library.
And it is unclear, what will happen, when Aperture or iPhoto will be upgraded to newer versions. Right now you need the latest iPhoto version to be able to upgrade older iPhoto libraries, if you want to open them in Aperture. So probably you will need to upgrade iPhoto as well, if you keep your library an iPhoto library, when both Aperture and iPhoto will be upgraded to Aperture 4 and iPhoto 12.0 or similar. In the long run it will be safer to convert the library to an Aperture library, if you do not want to keep updating iPhoto, but that can wait.
If you want to convert the iPhoto library to an Aperture library, back up your iPhoto library.
Then create a new Aperture library (with File > Switch to Library > Other/New ) and then import your iPhoto library into Aperture using the command "File > Import > Library" and select your iPhoto library.
You will need plenty of space on the drive with the new library. Merging a library into another one will temporarily a lot of working space and may take a long time - several hours for a large library, without visible progress.

Aperture Library.aplibrary .... does it contain projects and albums?

Hi guys
I'm having to completely start again with my Mac, reinstall OSX and add everything all over again and I was wondering...I have quite a big Aperture library (6GB) and was wondering if the Aperture Library.aplibrary file that's in my Pictures folder and backed up on my External HD also contains the projects and albums that you've created?
Thanks
Steve.

I think it confirms that. The Library is not "in Aperture" but the normal one is on the same drive.
If you create a New User Account, and as that New User use the Finder to open the copy on the External, it should tell you beyond any doubt. Do you know how to create a New User Account? If not, see:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8235.html
Ernie

Masters in Aperture Library Using Referenced Files

I use a MBP with an SSD to hold my Aperture 3 library.
I use a G-RAID to store my images and use Referenced Files.
All was good until yesterday, I deleted my Thumbnails to recreate them and remove the orphans.
After restarting Aperture and the processing time to recreate the Thumbnails (AP.Minis, Ap.Thumbnails, and AP.Tinies) I noticed my AP library was huge.
After inspecting the contents, there is now 65Gb worth of Masters, why would these be there since I use Referenced files and why would they have just now shown up after rebuilding my Thumbnails?

Remember:
-- A RAW file cannot be edited. It can only be written in a camera (or scanner, etc.) To be seen, it must be read through a RAW developer. The RAW developer (or converter, if you prefer) can apply changes to the bitstream (called "adjustments" in Aperture) but those changes always live in a separate file, called a "version" in Aperture. EVERY master image file in Aperture has at least one version file. The two are combined, in real time, every time you see a file. Thus questions about the Aperture library becoming corrupted are a bit moot - if you lose your library you will lose your edits. The only way to "save" edits to a RAW file is either adjust it in Aperture (or Lightroom) and let the program combine the two, or convert the file to an industry standard format, like TIFF or JPEG.
-- Aperture uses a "non-destructive" workflow. This means that it never really edits ANY file - not even a JPEG. This avoids the problem of recompressing JPEGS each time they are opened and close. So even JPEGS remain unaltered with your "edits" or "adjustments" being stored in one or more versions.
The only time you need to "save" a file in Aperture is when you need a new file in a specific format to give to someone. Until then, Aperture happily keeps track of your original images (managed or referenced) and the corresponding "edits" which it stores in a version linked to the original image file.
There are many reasons to prefer managed over referenced or vice versa, but fears of database integrity should not be one of them. You are making a lot of work for yourself - put the Aperture Vault on your server and/or use Time Machine. "Exporting" is a terrible way to try to make backups - it will take forever and you will end up with files scattered all over the place, defeating the purpose for which you bought Aperture in the first place.
Hope this helps.
DiploStrat

New to Aperture - Library vs Reference files

I'm coming to Aperture from Picasa, which replicated and managed my folder structure as it appeared on my hard-disc, which was nice.
Am I better off importing images into my Aperture Library, or managing the folder structure how I want and just having Aperture work with the reference files?
I'm not a pro-photographer, just a pretty basic user, so will not have loads of large raw image files. What's the benefit of using the Library over using Reference files? I've tried Google-ing but everything I've found just addresses folder/project management within Aperture.
If I use the reference option, can Aperture manage my photos on my hard-drive in the same way Picasa could (ie if I moved a photo from one folder to another in Picasa, it also moved on my drive)
Thanks

Hi TxH,
Welcome to the user-supported Aperture discussion group.
I'm coming to Aperture from Picasa, which replicated and managed my folder structure as it appeared on my hard-disc, which was nice.
If you use Aperture for even a little while, you'll realize that the structure of your photos in your hard drive is not as important as how you organize them in Aperture, especially when you start making albums, which merely contain a pointer to the image in your library. You can have a picture in many albums, but your library (and therefore hard drive) only contains it once.
Am I better off importing images into my Aperture Library, or managing the folder structure how I want and just having Aperture work with the reference files?
That's a matter of opinion. Some people are very opinionated that using referenced files is the only way to go, some are opinionated the other way. Sometimes there really is a better solution for you depending on what you are doing.
What's the benefit of using the Library over using Reference files? I
You will find loads of conversation if you search this discussion group for "managed" and "referenced".
You will always have a library. Your managed pictures will live in the library and you won't have direct access to them through Finder (and you should not want direct access to them for the most part). Your referenced pictures live wherever you tell Aperture to take them from, but the bookkeeping parts of the Aperture library/database are still stored in the Aperture library package.
Benefits of managed include: you don't worry about where the files are; Aperture backs them up if you use its vaults; they are always with you.
Benefits of referenced include: you know exactly where the files are; your Aperture library is significantly smaller than if all your photos were in the library; you can find them with Finder if that's important to you (and a lot of people think it's important to them but then realize they only think that because they're really not using Aperture to its full potential).
If I use the reference option, can Aperture manage my photos on my hard-drive in the same way Picasa could (ie if I moved a photo from one folder to another in Picasa, it also moved on my drive)
Yes. I've never used Picasa, but Aperture allows you to "relocate" your photos in order to manage their external directory structure. You can also choose to "relocate" a managed master to make it referenced.
nathan

Is it possible to share an aperture library with different users using osx server.

is it possible to share an aperture library with different users using osx server.

Not really. You should not be sharing an Aperture library over a network. It's not designed for that and you'll likely corrupt your library at some point.

Mounting Aperture library on file server

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