Un-confuse me: sharing images with other apps.

Question

Hi. I've gotten flummoxed (not unheard of) now that I'm using some of my images in other apps. I would like to understand all of the options/behaviors for moving images from Aperture to other apps.
My confusion comes from at least three things
. in Aperture, one has access to both the Master image, and the Version
. the behavior may change based on the availability of the Master (is it on-line?)
. Aperture keeps Previews of images, and uses these (sometimes) to share with other apps
. this behavior changes based on the availability of the Preview (does it exist?)
. the file format may or may not play a role in having the image show in another app.
Is the shared image from the Master or a Version? Is it a Preview or something else? Does it have a file format, and if so, which?
Here is a (partial?) list of how one can share images currently stored in Aperture:
- Export via Export dialog (creates new file, user sets format and other parameters)
- Mail direct from Aperture via "{Option}+e" or equivalent
- Drag to the Finder (or Desktop)
- Drag to another app
- Open from another Apple app via the Media Browser
- Open from another app via the "Media" category is the OS "File Open" dialog sidebar (How does one control what shows there?)
- Open from another app via the OS "File Open" dialog and select a file currently tracked in the Aperture Library
What are the differences?
To cut this down to size -- here is my current need. I am starting to sketch using Autodesk's Sketchbook Pro. I would like to put an Aperture image on one of the layers. All I need is a good web-quality image (and I prefer to avoid large files). What is the best way to do this?
The Media Browser is not available to Sketchbook Pro. The "Media" sidebar category is there, but often doesn't list Aperture, and often lists an Aperture Library other than the one I want (there does not appear to be a way to switch the Library shown).
Thanks in advance.
Kirby.

Answer 1

FUQuestion: Is there an on-line source for learning/sharing inf. about using/customizing SBP? I am a natural media artist (viscous colored mud, a/k/a oil paint) who recently became passionate about photography, and just discovered drawing with a computer -- and I got baskets of questions about SBP (it is thrilling to use). The AutoDesk SBP forum is moribund. Additional thanks in advance for your answer.
Kirby,
I ran into SBP about 1-1/2 years ago when I found Painter to be filled with too much legacy code making it slow. I am an avid Illustrator fan and use it professionally, but it is not great for quick sketching. After checking out ArtRage, I decided to try SBP 2010. IMHO, it is the best program for quick sketching around, bar none.
Since many consumers are just starting to become aware of it (outside of professional design circles), it may prompt more online resources to begin.
There are some tutorials here (some or all of which you may already have seen):
http://www.lynda.com/home/displaycourse.aspx?lpk2=62087
http://area.autodesk.com/sketchbook/sketch2010prv
And this link, which requires some additional clicks to land at the tutorial:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/tutorials/2d/sketchbook-pro-tutorials/
Here is an older site for the transitional period between Alias and Autodesk ownership:
http://aliasdesign.autodesk.com/learning/tutorials/?product=7912&mode=7937
Note - some of these tutorials are the same as other linked sites.
A great place (IMHO) for art advice and technique is here:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/
Hopefully, the program will promote more online resources for free.
Have fun!