Updates
Aperture: 2.1.1 Changes The Compare Key
2008-08-02
An odd change was included in Aperture 2.1.1. No longer does the Return key take you into Compare mode. Now it's Option O (that's letter O).
The Edit menu still says that it's Return. And once you're in Compare mode, Return does make the currently selected comparison the compared image. So I think this is a bug.
You can get the old behavior back by changing the mapping of the keys with Aperture > Commands > Customize...
The Edit menu still says that it's Return. And once you're in Compare mode, Return does make the currently selected comparison the compared image. So I think this is a bug.
You can get the old behavior back by changing the mapping of the keys with Aperture > Commands > Customize...
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Aperture: Aperture 2.1 Released -- Adds Image-Editing Plug-Ins
2008-03-28
Apple has added image-editing plug-ins to Aperture in this free update to owners of 2.0. The first plug-in is Dodge and Burn, but may more are coming. From the Aperture Resources page:
Aperture 2 includes a powerful plug-in architecture for the seamless integration of popular third-party image editing software, such as Nik Software's Viveza and PictureCode's Noise Ninja (both available soon).
Aperture 2.1 also includes an Apple developed plug-in, Dodge & Burn, that provides tools for making selective edits of images with dodge (lighten), burn (darken), blur, sharpen, and saturation effects.
There is a new movie that shows Dodge and Burn in operation.The free Imaging Plug-in Software Developer Kit (SDK) for Aperture will be available through the Apple Developer Connection (ADC) soon. Interested developers should contact Apple at aperturedeveloper@apple.com.
This considerably opens up the the usefulness of Aperture and will create a whole ecosystem of very useful additions. I will be very interested to see the SDK when it arrives.
In addition to the plug-in, there are a host of other features added:
• Customize Default Adjustment Set. You can now specify which adjustments appear by default in the Adjustments Inspector/HUD.
• Updated Crop Tool. A simplified UI makes it easier to preserve an image’s original aspect ratio, match the aspect ratio of your display, or use one of the standard preset aspect ratios.
• Sorting in All Projects View. A contextual menu allows you to sort the All Projects view in ascending or descending date order.
• Show on Map A contextual menu allows you to choose the Show on Map by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) on an image that contains GPS
data.
• Access to Toolbar on Second Display. When using multiple displays in Full Screen mode, the Full Screen toolbar is now accessible on a second display.
• “Snapshots” book theme. This additional theme includes new “photo border” frames in which to place images.
• Flip Images. You can now flip images horizontally or vertically within Aperture.
• Vignette. The range of gamma and exposure settings available has been expanded.
• Save Books as JPEG or TIFF images. Automator workflows have been added to the PDF pop-up menu in the Print Book window to automatically generate JPEG or TIFF images from book pages.
• Update EXIF from Master. This command allows Aperture to reread EXIF from master images after they have been imported.
• 8-bit External Editor support. Preferences settings have been updated to allow you to send images to an external editor as either 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF or PSD files.
• Extended AppleScript support. The “Reveal” verb in the AppleScript dictionary has been extended to include containers such as projects and albums.
The update also includes fixes that impact a number of other areas, including import, Quick Preview, All Projects view, image adjustments, books, printing and export.To get the update (41 Mbytes), go to the Aperture Downloads page. Then check the Late Breaking News from the Help menu.
[Late updates:]
Rob Galbraith has a particularly good write-up on his site.
The catch with the plug-ins is that they work on a copy of the original image, just like round-tripping to an external application like photoshop -- they are not integrated into the RAW processing that Aperture does. This means that you have to separate your plug-in adjustment workflow from your Aperture adjustment workflow, deciding what you are going to do first, last, and in the middle.
The logic of this implementation is understandable when you consider what will happen long-term, and what Apple has control over. Apple controls its own built-in adjustments and processing so can guarantee that they will stay intact, or be enhanced (like the RAW 2.0 processing update we received recently). But the same guarantees cannot be made for third-party plug-ins, so they have to create and store the intermediate images.
The improved crop is still lacking a basic setting: Current. There is no way to scale (except by math and typing) an image that has been custom-cropped and keep the same aspect ratio. There is also no "flip" option that keeps the clip rectangle the same , but rotates it 90 degrees.
Aperture: A Fix For The Leopard Printing Bug
2008-03-26
Apple has released Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 (Leopard): an update to the security update that was causing printing problems for Aperture users on Leopard.
Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 addresses reliability issues with the "Printer Settings..." button in Aperture 2.0 on systems running Mac OS X v10.5.2. No applications other than Aperture 2.0 are affected.
Firmware Update For The Canon 30D
2008-03-25
Canon has announced a firmware update for the 30D, version 1.0.6. No changes to the tethering behavior.
- Allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken
- Adds lenses that are compatible with the Digital Photo Professional 3.2 lens aberration correction function
Aperture: Digital Camera RAW Support 2.0
2008-03-21
Maybe this will put an and to the arguments about RAW converter updates being tied to the operating system. You can download the updater directly from Apple.
Aperture: 2.0.1 Brings New Applescript Features
2008-03-04
Apple's Applescript pages are showing how new features introduced by Aperture 2.0.1 allow integration with Adobe InDesign CS3. By fingerprinting images with a number in a metadata field, applications that receive previews have, via Applescript, a away to get the original. InDesign uses this to work with previews as proxies until the document is exported for print. At that time the originals are retrieved and put into the final document. There are two short videos that show how it is done.
Aperture 2.0.1 Update Available
2008-03-03
Apple has updated Aperture to 2.0.1. You can get the download via the 2.0.1 update page. It includes lots of fixes:
- Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture
- Publishing .Mac Web Gallery albums
- Preview generation and deletion
- Creating and ordering books
- AppleScript support
- Keyboard shortcut customization
- Appearance of metadata overlays in the Browser, Filmstrip, and on light tables
- Watermarking of emailed photos
- Highlight Hot and Cold Areas
- Loupe
- Smart Albums
- All Projects View
- Straighten Tool
- Filmstrip
- Drag and drop import
- Thumbnail generation
- Import window
- Export plug-in reliability
Get Your Head Around Aperture 1.5 Edition 3 Now Available
2008-02-26
 | Eleven New Articles |
I have updated Get Your Head Around Aperture 1.5 with eleven new Aperture articles that were published on the blog between the second edition and the release of Aperture 2.0. For full details of the changes see the Publication History page.
If you have purchased the book, you will have received an email with a download link that is good for 5 downloads or one year, whichever comes first. Just use that link and it will download this new release.
If you have not purchased the book, then I'm afraid it is no longer available. Aperture 2.0 changed so much of the interface and features (and fixed so many problems!) that much of the material in the book is now unnecessary, incorrect, or misleading, especially to beginners. All the material in the book remains freely available on this site. If you really want a copy, then let me know. If there is enough demand I will reintroduce it for sale at a reduced price.
I am also interested to know what kind of information you would want to see in a future Bagelturf publication about Aperture or anything else.
Finally Running Leopard
2008-02-17
Now that Leopard 1.5.2 is out, Aperture 2.0 is out, SuperDuper has been updated, and a host of other bits and pieces are working well, I finally upgraded to Leopard. I did an Update Install -- the least recommended, but the one I always use.
I had only one hitch: my keychain was unpopular with Leopard and it created a new empty one. I copied across my old one from a back up and used Keychain Utility to repair it and make it the default. My update precautions included getting both my back ups up to date and making a separate archive of my entire disk on a spare Firewire drive so that I can still pull data off in a year.
Leopard runs well. Very smooth and fast. A little buggy here and there (Finder's list view for instance), but entirely pleasant to use. Aperture is faster I think.
I had only one hitch: my keychain was unpopular with Leopard and it created a new empty one. I copied across my old one from a back up and used Keychain Utility to repair it and make it the default. My update precautions included getting both my back ups up to date and making a separate archive of my entire disk on a spare Firewire drive so that I can still pull data off in a year.
Leopard runs well. Very smooth and fast. A little buggy here and there (Finder's list view for instance), but entirely pleasant to use. Aperture is faster I think.
Aperture 2.0: Updating And Migrating
2008-02-14
After playing with the free trial of Aperture 2.0 yesterday, I purchased the upgrade package and receive my key today. The Aperture menu has an Authorize entry and I could put my key in immediately and get full use of the product.
The next thing I did was update my library. I did a couple of smaller libraries first as a sanity check, and all was well. My 90GB library with 32,000 images took about ten minutes to convert. Inside I can see that the original Aperture database has now been split into two. The original database pretty much doubled in size, while the new one is obviously dedicated to Blobs (binary large objects) and is quite small.
The surprise can when I quit Aperture: quitting took more than 20 minutes! The sheet said Writing Files... and I believe it was updating the database. It also used up an ungodly amount of RAM. I only have 3GB and it sucked up everything it could find. I sampled the Aperture process while it was doing this and saw 16 Exabytes in use -- about 5 billion times what I actually have:
It did finish, and all was well. My guess is that this delay was because I am still on Tiger and this is a Core Data efficiency problem.
Next I looked at the possibility of migrating my images to the new RAW converter:
Entire projects can be converted, or just individual selections. I selected Migrate and got this rather confusing dialog:
Upgrade existing RAW images
This means that of the images selected all the non-RAWs will be left alone. The RAW images will have their RAW converter changed to 2.0 and the versions and previews updated. While I can't go back on this, I can individually set the RAW conversion back to 1.1 from the RAW Fine Tuning adjustment panel if I want:
I can also create new versions manually and compare the RAW 1.1 and RAW 2.0 converters side by side for individual images. Note that none of this affects the masters. The reference to "images" should be to "versions".
Create upgraded versions of existing RAW images
This works exactly the same as Upgrade existing RAW images except that a new version is created (in a stack) with the original and the converter changed to 2.0 for that new version only.
All images
Means all selected RAW images. The other two selections are similar.
I don't recommend updating converters en masse. I am finding that the new converter is quite different, particularly for heavily adjusted images. Here is a quick example: RAW 2.0 is on the left here:
The new RAW converter does do a much better job with highlights.
The next thing I did was update my library. I did a couple of smaller libraries first as a sanity check, and all was well. My 90GB library with 32,000 images took about ten minutes to convert. Inside I can see that the original Aperture database has now been split into two. The original database pretty much doubled in size, while the new one is obviously dedicated to Blobs (binary large objects) and is quite small.
The surprise can when I quit Aperture: quitting took more than 20 minutes! The sheet said Writing Files... and I believe it was updating the database. It also used up an ungodly amount of RAM. I only have 3GB and it sucked up everything it could find. I sampled the Aperture process while it was doing this and saw 16 Exabytes in use -- about 5 billion times what I actually have:
It did finish, and all was well. My guess is that this delay was because I am still on Tiger and this is a Core Data efficiency problem.
Next I looked at the possibility of migrating my images to the new RAW converter:
Entire projects can be converted, or just individual selections. I selected Migrate and got this rather confusing dialog:
Upgrade existing RAW images
This means that of the images selected all the non-RAWs will be left alone. The RAW images will have their RAW converter changed to 2.0 and the versions and previews updated. While I can't go back on this, I can individually set the RAW conversion back to 1.1 from the RAW Fine Tuning adjustment panel if I want:
I can also create new versions manually and compare the RAW 1.1 and RAW 2.0 converters side by side for individual images. Note that none of this affects the masters. The reference to "images" should be to "versions".
Create upgraded versions of existing RAW images
This works exactly the same as Upgrade existing RAW images except that a new version is created (in a stack) with the original and the converter changed to 2.0 for that new version only.
All images
Means all selected RAW images. The other two selections are similar.
I don't recommend updating converters en masse. I am finding that the new converter is quite different, particularly for heavily adjusted images. Here is a quick example: RAW 2.0 is on the left here:
The new RAW converter does do a much better job with highlights.
Buy Aperture 2.0 Through This Site
2008-02-13
You can purchase Aperture 2.0 from Amazon via the associate links on my site. Doing so shamelessly contributes a small percentage of each transaction.
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Buy Aperture 2.0 Buy 2.0 Upgrade |
Aperture 2.0: Get The Trial Version -- It's Fast
2008-02-12
To get started with Aperture 2.0, download the trial version and wait for the key to arrive in email. Then before launching it, rename your current Aperture application and rename your Aperture library. Renaming makes sure that 2.0 doesn't stomp on 1.5. I added 15 to the end of my application and my library. Also, make sure you have your 1.5 key handy. If you launch 1.5 after running the 2.0 trial, you'll have to reenter it.
The installer requests the key and the application installs. It creates a new Aperture Library and you can fill it with images and use that as a sandbox for a while.
Aperture 2.0 is fast. Adjustments are much faster, though there is a short delay before they are active. Even traditionally slow adjustments like Straighten and Shadows and Highlights are very responsive. I have a lowly 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac 24" and it really flies now. Scrolling is like iPhoto, and the new Quick Preview mode (P key) prevents Aperture from doing the RAW conversions, so making scrolling through images in the viewer very fast indeed.
The installer requests the key and the application installs. It creates a new Aperture Library and you can fill it with images and use that as a sandbox for a while.
Aperture 2.0 is fast. Adjustments are much faster, though there is a short delay before they are active. Even traditionally slow adjustments like Straighten and Shadows and Highlights are very responsive. I have a lowly 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac 24" and it really flies now. Scrolling is like iPhoto, and the new Quick Preview mode (P key) prevents Aperture from doing the RAW conversions, so making scrolling through images in the viewer very fast indeed.
Aperture 2.0: Trackpad Gestures And More Details
2008-02-12
Apple has a support page for Aperture with more information. From there you can download the Late-Breaking News PDF. That document reveals that Aperture 2.0 supports trackpad gestures.
The troubleshooting links on the page are also handy (they are Knowledge Base articles). XLR8YourMac has collected a bunch of them together into a list which reproduce here:
AUPN has two articles that cover the new features: Part 1 and Part 2. As AUPN points out, lost in all the hoopla is the fact that Aperture 2.0 supports editing plug-ins. This will lead to all kinds of interesting things.
The troubleshooting links on the page are also handy (they are Knowledge Base articles). XLR8YourMac has collected a bunch of them together into a list which reproduce here:
- Aperture 2: Tips on migrating images to RAW 2.0
- Aperture 2: Some tips on Baseline DNG support
- Aperture 2: RAW 2.0 not available with some cameras
- Aperture 2: Some referenced images may be reimported even when Do Not Import Duplicates is selected
- Aperture 2: Newly supported images may not display properly after upgrade from Aperture 1.5.x to 2.0
- Aperture 2: Avoid making manual changes to your library structure
- Aperture 2: Avoid putting the computer to sleep while shooting tethered
- Aperture 2: Date on exported master image may be different in rare circumstances
- Aperture 2: Externally edited images are automatically located alongside originals
- Aperture 2: Tips on tethered shooting
- Aperture 2: Duplicate Images in library when tethering
AUPN has two articles that cover the new features: Part 1 and Part 2. As AUPN points out, lost in all the hoopla is the fact that Aperture 2.0 supports editing plug-ins. This will lead to all kinds of interesting things.
Aperture 2.0: All The Video Links In One Place
2008-02-12
I've collected all the links for the Aperture 2.0 videos together in one place for convenient clicking. If you use Firefox you will be able to download everything for offline viewing with a tool like FlashGot.
Adjustment Tools
Platform Integration
Customizing the Keyboard
Importing Basics
Tethering
Using Aperture and iPhoto Together
Making Multiple Selections
Using the Loupe Tools
Using the Zoom Tool
Using Quick Preview
Using the Sort Tool
Applying Ratings
Using Compare Mode
Using Stacks
Using Stack Mode
Assigning Keywords
Viewing Multiple Displays
Filtering and Searching in Aperture
Skimming All Projects
Creating Albums and Smart Albums
Using Light Tables
Using RAW Fine Tuning
Cropping and Straightening
Adjusting White Balance
Adjusting Exposure
Recovering Highlights
Enhancing Your Images
Setting Levels
Setting Advanced Levels
Adjusting Highlights and Shadows
Improving Color
Using the Retouch Brush
Applying Vignette and Devignette
Applying Black & White and Color Effects
Sharpening Images
Using Lift and Stamp
Editing Metadata
Adjusting Date and Time
Embedding and Exporting Metadata
Exporting Versions, Masters, and Projects
Making Prints and Contact sheets
Making Books
Creating Web Pages
Creating Web Galleries
Creating Slideshows
Using Export Plug-ins
Exploring Presets
Using Aperture and iPhoto Together
Creating Advanced Slideshows with Keynote
Making Photo Movies with iMovie
Accessing Aperture through Leopard
Quick Tours
Streamlined UIAdjustment Tools
Platform Integration
Tutorials
Exploring the InterfaceCustomizing the Keyboard
Importing Basics
Tethering
Using Aperture and iPhoto Together
Making Multiple Selections
Using the Loupe Tools
Using the Zoom Tool
Using Quick Preview
Using the Sort Tool
Applying Ratings
Using Compare Mode
Using Stacks
Using Stack Mode
Assigning Keywords
Viewing Multiple Displays
Filtering and Searching in Aperture
Skimming All Projects
Creating Albums and Smart Albums
Using Light Tables
Using RAW Fine Tuning
Cropping and Straightening
Adjusting White Balance
Adjusting Exposure
Recovering Highlights
Enhancing Your Images
Setting Levels
Setting Advanced Levels
Adjusting Highlights and Shadows
Improving Color
Using the Retouch Brush
Applying Vignette and Devignette
Applying Black & White and Color Effects
Sharpening Images
Using Lift and Stamp
Editing Metadata
Adjusting Date and Time
Embedding and Exporting Metadata
Exporting Versions, Masters, and Projects
Making Prints and Contact sheets
Making Books
Creating Web Pages
Creating Web Galleries
Creating Slideshows
Using Export Plug-ins
Exploring Presets
Using Aperture and iPhoto Together
Creating Advanced Slideshows with Keynote
Making Photo Movies with iMovie
Accessing Aperture through Leopard
Aperture 2.0: Now Shipping
2008-02-12
Aperture 2.0 has shipped. It needs Tiger 10.4.11 or Leopard 10.5.2. It's $200, down $199 from 1.0, and an upgrade is $99. If you purchased 1.5 recently then you can get it for $9.95.
Apple claims 100 new features that I have not had time to read yet.
Apple's Aperture page has many details. including the specs. The features page has some Quick Tours to watch and there are many tutorials. You download the User Manual, and a publication called Exploring Aperture. There is a compatibility checker that will see if your system can run it.
As usual there is active conversation (maybe less whining?) at Apple's Aperture discussion page.
Aperture: 10.5.2 Released With Nikon D3 and D300 Support
2008-02-11
Go grab 10.5.2! It supports the Nikon D3 and D300 as well as others.
Update: My Headline is wrong (still on Tiger here, and no Nikon). Comments are saying things like this:
The only remaining question is whether there will be a RAW update for Tiger or not. There is also a Leopard Graphics Update available that only appears in Software Update after 10.5.2 is installed. This all bodes well for a new Aperture coming soon.Unless I'm missing something-- 10.5.2 supports the D3 and D300 with everything BUT aperture. iPhoto, Finder, Preview... all open D300 RAWs... not Aperture...
SuperDuper 2.5 Released
2008-02-05
SuperDuper, the application I use for my back ups has finally been released for Leopard. That was the last item I needed before updating my iMac, but I may wait until 10.5.2 is released before going Leopard, since reports are that it is close to completion. I'm sure that Aperture will appear soon after, so I'll have plenty to play with.
Aperture 2.0: Joe Schorr Speaks; Photographers Dare Not Breathe
2008-01-30
Joe Schorr, Apple's Senior Product Manager of Photo Applications (wasn't he just product Manager for Aperture a while ago?) has spoken to the assembled throngs in a posting on the Aperture discussion board:
[Update: Nothing so far (the end of Jan 31st). I saw this posting at DPReview:
We're constantly working to make Aperture an even better tool for users, and will soon release an upgrade that includes RAW format support for new cameras and other exciting new features. Please stay tuned.
My guess is that at the first possible moment following PMA opening its doors (ie Thursday morning), Apple is going to announce whatever it is we have all been waiting for. Then, I'm sure the real whining will begin as it dawns on people that Apple has somehow not implemented every single one of their personal favorite missing features.Joe Schorr
Sr. Product Manager, Photo Applications
Apple
[Update: Nothing so far (the end of Jan 31st). I saw this posting at DPReview:
Curiouser and curiouser.The booth number reserved for Apple (X128) simply says HOLD. It doesn't even identify the company by name anymore. Perhaps they will be a no show.
Aperture 2.0 Rumors And Wishes
2008-01-27
There has been a great deal of speculation as to what will be in the next release of Aperture -- even as to whether it will be called 2.0 or 1.6 -- but now there are rumors starting to appear. I saw this one on DPReview. It's a typical "I have a friend of a friend whos hair cutter knows this guy who overheard two people on a bus talking" kind of rumor. So there is no way to know how accurate it is. There are so many things that could be changed or improved, that practically any subset would be believable. You can even see how people were thinking a while back at MacPredict (the site appears to no longer be updated).
What does appear to be unanimous is that either Apple will announce something at PMA this week, or thousands will defect to Lightroom. Apart from some bug fixes, it has been an awfully long time since any significant changes were made: 1.5 was released September 29, 2006 according to Wikipedia.
Fraser Speirs posted his wishes for Aperture a short time ago. And Eric Barzeski made his wish-list known a year ago and is itching for information. Sören Nils Kuklau has a list that he posted last year. Inside Aperture speculated some time ago, around the same time that Ed Fladung had a go. Chuqui hoped for 2.0 before Christmas 2007, but was disappointed.
My needs are modest, so I'm wishing for things like better speed and better keyboard navigation. For the product, I think the best thing that could happen would be a flexible plug-in architecture so that the application could be expanded by third parties. I would also like to be able to have Aperture handle all media types, not just photos, and to have a lightweight application that can read the database independently. That would allow plugins and automation scripts run at the same time as Aperture, so not interrupting workflow.
We shall see. I hope it's not Leopard-only because I'm still on Tiger, waiting for a compatible update to SuperDuper.
Nikon D3 and D300 RAW Support In Mac OS X 10.5.2?
2008-01-25
Hardmac is reporting that 10.5.2 will bring RAW support for Nikon D300 and D3 cameras.
Aperture 1.5.6 Update may not succeed on Leopard
2008-01-04
A knowledgebase article in Apple's support area states that under Leopard, using Software Update to update Aperture to 1.5.6 may fail to install. The fix is to download the update and install it manually. You can see all Aperture articles by searching for "kf8" or using this URL.
I almost never use Software Update to install updates. I use it to tell me what I need and then go and download and install the software manually. That also saves me from downloading multiple times to update all the machines in the house.
I almost never use Software Update to install updates. I use it to tell me what I need and then go and download and install the software manually. That also saves me from downloading multiple times to update all the machines in the house.
Safari 3 Stores Web Icons In A Database
2007-12-29
I notice that since upgrading to 10.4.11 (still not running Leopard here), Safari no longer stores its web icons in files. Instead it uses a SQLite database. This is a feature of the new version of Safari. My ~/Library/Safari folder looks like this:
I can use SQLite Database Browser to see what is inside:
Safari used to get slower and slower maintaining a huge folder tree of tiny web icons: I used to delete mine every so often to clear them out. This solution should cut down on disk space use and be much faster after months of browsing.
I can use SQLite Database Browser to see what is inside:
Safari used to get slower and slower maintaining a huge folder tree of tiny web icons: I used to delete mine every so often to clear them out. This solution should cut down on disk space use and be much faster after months of browsing.
Security Update 2007-009 Is Crashing My Store
2007-12-19
Im getting reports of attempts to buy Get Your head Around Aperture 1.5 thwarted, at least temporarily, by a bug in WebKit introduced by Security Update 2007-009.
From what I can tell, if you are running 10.4.11 or Leopard and are on an Intel machine, and have installed the security update then clicking the Buy Now button will crash the browser. PowerPC machines are not affected. [Update: yes they are]. [Update2: Apple has now released version 1.1 of this update that fixes the problem].
From what I can tell, if you are running 10.4.11 or Leopard and are on an Intel machine, and have installed the security update then clicking the Buy Now button will crash the browser. PowerPC machines are not affected. [Update: yes they are]. [Update2: Apple has now released version 1.1 of this update that fixes the problem].
Get Your Head Around Aperture 1.5 Edition 2 Now Available
2007-11-27
 | Fourteen New Articles |
I have updated Get Your Head Around Aperture 1.5 with fourteen new Aperture articles that were published on the blog between the first edition and today. For full details of the changes see the Publication History page.
If you have already purchased the book, you will have received an email with a download link that is good for 5 downloads or one year, whichever comes first. Just use that link and it will download this new release. Or skip this update and get the next.
Still Waiting For One Application Before Plunging Into Leopard
2007-11-25
While on the topic of backing up, it is worth noting that SuperDuper for Leopard is still not quite ready. Since RapidWeaver (used to create this blog) was updated with some bug fixes, SuperDuper is the last remaining application I need to have ready before taking the leap.
Aperture 1.5.6 Provides Compatibility With Leopard
2007-10-26
Apple has just released an update to Aperture 1.5.6 (130MB):
Recommended for all licensed Aperture customers, the Aperture 1.5.6 Update addresses issues related to performance, improves overall stability, and supports compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.
Update: Later today Apple will release the Aperture Export SDK 1.5.5. This provides only minor changes. Notably there are no new APIs provided. I am seeing reports that Aperture is fast on Leopard. I'll get a chance to try it out later today or tomorrow when I have Leopard in my hands.• Resolves some minor compatibility issues with iPhoto 7.1, which organizes images by Event rather than Roll.
• Addresses issues related to metadata and sort order when sharing previews with iLife Media Browser.
• Improves reliability of queries based on Import Session.
• Addresses reliability when recovering an Aperture Library from a Vault.
Aperture: A Fix For Vaults That Fail To Update?
2007-10-15
A short thread on Apples' Aperture discussion board gives a possible solution to the problem of vaults that will not update due to errors on specific images:
The original poster can't apply this fix because the image that is causing the problem apparently does not exist, so I'm investigating this with him. Update: We traced the problem to "something bad" about the folder or its contents that was being reported. By opening the library and the vault with control-click Show Package Contents and navigating down, it was possible to trash the folder. Not only did the vault update complete once that was done, but it worked many, many times faster than before. The bad news is that I think this is due to a bad spot on the disk, indicating a drive that is on its way out. If you have vault problems: back up carefully and consider that you may have a bad disk.
Vault problems can be caused by using the wrong disk format, typically FAT32, because the drive arrived that way and was never reformatted. FAT32 cannot support the characters used by Aperture in folder names and so causes errors. Another cause of problems is that the ownership of files and folders in the vault may be at odds with the current user. This can be fixed by checking the box for Ignore ownership on this volume on the information window for the volume (command I):
Aperture is not letting me update my vaults. I am receiving update vault error messages when trying to back up to Vaults. I have three backup Vaults on external firewire drives, formatted Mac HFS+ (not MS-DOS) and not partitioned. My Aperture library is also on a dedicated external drive. I get the same message for all three vaults, so this seems to be an Aperture problem, not a disk problem. The error messages refer to NEF (raw) image files that do not exist in my Library (or anywhere else, for that matter). Message reads:
update vault error:
The following error occured:
Couldn't create/Volumes/LaCie/ApertureV2.apvault/Library/....
Another reader with a similar problem found a solution:Any insights would be appreciated.
This and the fact that all three of the poster's vaults fail to update implies that the problem is not with the vault, but with the library: there is something about the information that Aperture stores about that image that causes an error. When the image is adjusted the bad file is overwritten and the problem goes away. Vaults don't contain thumbnails or previews, so it can't be those. The master in this case is referenced, and in any case is never updated. So it must be with the sidecar files.I managed to fix my problem by making an adjustment to the photo that the error message referenced.
The original poster can't apply this fix because the image that is causing the problem apparently does not exist, so I'm investigating this with him. Update: We traced the problem to "something bad" about the folder or its contents that was being reported. By opening the library and the vault with control-click Show Package Contents and navigating down, it was possible to trash the folder. Not only did the vault update complete once that was done, but it worked many, many times faster than before. The bad news is that I think this is due to a bad spot on the disk, indicating a drive that is on its way out. If you have vault problems: back up carefully and consider that you may have a bad disk.
Vault problems can be caused by using the wrong disk format, typically FAT32, because the drive arrived that way and was never reformatted. FAT32 cannot support the characters used by Aperture in folder names and so causes errors. Another cause of problems is that the ownership of files and folders in the vault may be at odds with the current user. This can be fixed by checking the box for Ignore ownership on this volume on the information window for the volume (command I):
Mac OS 10.4.10 Adds Camera RAW Support
2007-06-21
Pro Application Support 4.0
2007-05-09
Pro Application Support 4.0 is now available from Apple. It updates various system components that are used by Aperture and other Pro Apps.
Aperture: 1.5.3 Now Available
2007-04-20
Aperture 1.5.3 is now available via Software Update or from Apple's Download area. It's 130MB in size.
About Aperture 1.5.3 Update
Aperture 1.5.3 addresses issues related to overall reliability and performance in a number of areas, including:
- Generation of thumbnails for adjusted images
- Entering and exiting Full Screen mode
- Working with large sets of keywords in the Keywords HUD
- Restoring from a vault
Among the specific issues that have been addressed:
- Previews now update properly when images are sent to an external editor.
- Leaf Aptus 22 and Aptus 75 images are now imported with the correct orientation.
- When folders are imported as projects, the folder structure is now correctly preserved when identically named subfolders are included in the hierarchy.
- Reconnecting referenced images that have been externally edited now works more reliably.
- Setting the ColorSync profile in the Aperture Print dialog now correctly suppresses color management settings in the Mac OS X Print dialog.
About Aperture 1.5.3 Update
Aperture 1.5.3 addresses issues related to overall reliability and performance in a number of areas, including:
- Generation of thumbnails for adjusted images
- Entering and exiting Full Screen mode
- Working with large sets of keywords in the Keywords HUD
- Restoring from a vault
Among the specific issues that have been addressed:
- Previews now update properly when images are sent to an external editor.
- Leaf Aptus 22 and Aptus 75 images are now imported with the correct orientation.
- When folders are imported as projects, the folder structure is now correctly preserved when identically named subfolders are included in the hierarchy.
- Reconnecting referenced images that have been externally edited now works more reliably.
- Setting the ColorSync profile in the Aperture Print dialog now correctly suppresses color management settings in the Mac OS X Print dialog.
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update Improves Aperture
2007-03-14
Apple's Knowledgebase article 305121 lists the benefits that Aperture gets from the Mac OS X 10.4.9 update:
The full list of supported cameras is listed on Apple's site. I expect we will see an update to Aperture before very long. Joe Schorr has already posted such on Apple's Aperture forums recently.
• Adds support for the RAW image formats of these third-party cameras: Leaf Aptus 17, Leaf Aptus 22, Leaf Aptus 65, Leaf Aptus 75, Leaf Valeo 11, Leaf Valeo 17, Leaf Valeo 22, Leica Digilux 3, Nikon D40, Pentax K10D, Pentax K110D, Pentax K100D, Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, Samsung GX-1L.
• Improved Spot & Patch results: The update contains changes to Core Image that improve the visual correctness of images using Spot & Patch adjustment.
• Reduces issues of temporary "black" Viewer: Mac OS X 10.4.9 addresses several issues that could cause the Viewer to temporarily turn black when displaying adjusted images.
• GPS metadata is preserved when image versions are exported.
• Incorporates all RAW file format compatibility and other imaging issues originally addressed in Digital Camera RAW Support Update 1.0.1. This update improved RAW file format compatibility for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi / 400D / Kiss X Digital, Nikon D80, and Pentax *ist DS. It also addressed the following issues: Handling of large Canon RAW files (.CRW); DNG compatibility on Intel-based Macs; Lines sometimes appearing in images exported from Aperture.
• Improved Spot & Patch results: The update contains changes to Core Image that improve the visual correctness of images using Spot & Patch adjustment.
• Reduces issues of temporary "black" Viewer: Mac OS X 10.4.9 addresses several issues that could cause the Viewer to temporarily turn black when displaying adjusted images.
• GPS metadata is preserved when image versions are exported.
• Incorporates all RAW file format compatibility and other imaging issues originally addressed in Digital Camera RAW Support Update 1.0.1. This update improved RAW file format compatibility for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi / 400D / Kiss X Digital, Nikon D80, and Pentax *ist DS. It also addressed the following issues: Handling of large Canon RAW files (.CRW); DNG compatibility on Intel-based Macs; Lines sometimes appearing in images exported from Aperture.
The full list of supported cameras is listed on Apple's site. I expect we will see an update to Aperture before very long. Joe Schorr has already posted such on Apple's Aperture forums recently.
GeForce 7300 GT Firmware Update
2007-02-06
Apple has made a firmware update available for the GeForce 7300 GT graphics card. This ships in some of the MacPros, so may be of interest to anyone running Aperture.
Aperture 1.5.2 Late Breaking News
2006-12-13
In Aperture, go to the Help menu and select late Breaking News. This will download a PDF file into a Safari page. There are some comments about 1.5.2:
• Starting Aperture with the shift key held down prevents preview generation
• Watermarks now have a Scale option that allows either 1.5 behavior (don't scale, same physical size), or 1.5.1 behavior (do scale, same number of pixels).
There is also a Knowledge Base article that describes how watermark scaling works. You can use this URL to access all of the Knowledge Base articles on Aperture with one click.
• Starting Aperture with the shift key held down prevents preview generation
• Watermarks now have a Scale option that allows either 1.5 behavior (don't scale, same physical size), or 1.5.1 behavior (do scale, same number of pixels).
There is also a Knowledge Base article that describes how watermark scaling works. You can use this URL to access all of the Knowledge Base articles on Aperture with one click.
Aperture 1.5.2 Available
2006-12-12
A 131MByte update for Aperture was released today. It makes the following changes:
• Contact sheet printing
• Smart Albums
• Watermarks
• Lift and stamp
• Image export
• Versions created using an external editor
A download link is available on Apple's download page.
I downloaded and updated my copy. The teeny watermarks problem I was suffering from has been fixed. Speed seems about the same. No database or library rebuilds needed this time.
• Contact sheet printing
• Smart Albums
• Watermarks
• Lift and stamp
• Image export
• Versions created using an external editor
A download link is available on Apple's download page.
I downloaded and updated my copy. The teeny watermarks problem I was suffering from has been fixed. Speed seems about the same. No database or library rebuilds needed this time.
Digital Camera RAW Updates
2006-12-02
Aperture 1.5.1: Don't Do What I Just Did
2006-11-29
Don't do what I just did. It caused my Aperture library problems serious enough that I am currently restoring it from a back up. I don't believe I have lost any images or data, just suffered some inconvenience. Others may not be so lucky.
So what did I do? I imported read-only JPG images that lacked JPG extensions as referenced masters and then consolidated them using the Move option. The result was that although Aperture had them in its library (still as read only files), it was convinced that they were referenced but not readable, so showing me the broken link badge. The situation is unrecoverable as far as I could determine.
I am not sure which exact combination of events caused this, but I am sure that the missing extension is part of it. Only the images with the missing extension show the problem. Although I am sure that the read-only JPGs in the library will cause problems later.
So what did I do? I imported read-only JPG images that lacked JPG extensions as referenced masters and then consolidated them using the Move option. The result was that although Aperture had them in its library (still as read only files), it was convinced that they were referenced but not readable, so showing me the broken link badge. The situation is unrecoverable as far as I could determine.
I am not sure which exact combination of events caused this, but I am sure that the missing extension is part of it. Only the images with the missing extension show the problem. Although I am sure that the read-only JPGs in the library will cause problems later.
Digital Camera Raw Update 1.0.1
2006-11-14
Now Running Aperture 1.5.1
2006-11-05
I updated my copy of Aperture to 1.5.1. It took about an hour on my iMac G5 to complete its "synchronize" step, working through about 20,000 masters and 21,000 versions. It was bashing away on the disk like crazy the whole time, so a fast disk system will do much better than mine.
So far no problems. Smart albums seem to work for me, and I have not tried doing anything with contact sheets. Viewing thumbnails seems faster, but that may have been the database rebuild. I cannot see any changes to the library structure, so I think that the synchronize step was a sweep through the library to ensure that the database and the library data matched, maybe because bugs that were found in 1.5 could have caused them to be out of step.
Adjustments in the loupe are now fast enough that my slow old machine can keep up in real time. This is a big help.
I did have to reapply the modification to swap the 0 and 9 keys on the keypad. And it looks like updating vaults causes all the images to be written out because of the library changes.
So far no problems. Smart albums seem to work for me, and I have not tried doing anything with contact sheets. Viewing thumbnails seems faster, but that may have been the database rebuild. I cannot see any changes to the library structure, so I think that the synchronize step was a sweep through the library to ensure that the database and the library data matched, maybe because bugs that were found in 1.5 could have caused them to be out of step.
Adjustments in the loupe are now fast enough that my slow old machine can keep up in real time. This is a big help.
I did have to reapply the modification to swap the 0 and 9 keys on the keypad. And it looks like updating vaults causes all the images to be written out because of the library changes.
Aperture 1.5: Raw Update, 1.5.1 Update, 30-Day Test Drive
2006-11-03
A big day for Aperture.
The Aperture 1.5.1 update (128MB, requires serial number) includes many bug fixes and includes support for older Macs that use the 5200 graphics card. Notes say NOT to apply this to the trial version.
Early reports I have seen say that it spends a long time doing a Master Synchronization step, so plan accordingly. They also say that performance has increased.
RAW support for Mac OS X (2.4 MB) has been updated to include more cameras and fixes the vertical scratch problem that has plagued a number of Intel Mac owners. This will benefit any application that reads RAW, including Aperture and iPhoto.
Apple is now offering a fully-functional 30-day trial of Aperture. Once you decide you would like to keep it, buy a code to unlock it, or buy a retail box and use that code.
The Aperture 1.5.1 update (128MB, requires serial number) includes many bug fixes and includes support for older Macs that use the 5200 graphics card. Notes say NOT to apply this to the trial version.
Early reports I have seen say that it spends a long time doing a Master Synchronization step, so plan accordingly. They also say that performance has increased.
RAW support for Mac OS X (2.4 MB) has been updated to include more cameras and fixes the vertical scratch problem that has plagued a number of Intel Mac owners. This will benefit any application that reads RAW, including Aperture and iPhoto.
Apple is now offering a fully-functional 30-day trial of Aperture. Once you decide you would like to keep it, buy a code to unlock it, or buy a retail box and use that code.
Aperture: Radeon X1900 Available For G5 Macs With PCI Express
2006-11-03
There is finally a fast graphics card available for owners of PowerMacs who didn't include the 7800 upgrade with their purchase. The conundrum was that the 6600 card was dog slow with Aperture and there were no other cards available unless you could find a PC card that had been reflashed to make it into a Mac card.
This new card is specific to owners of PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe -- the serial standard), not PCI-X (PCI-Extended -- the parallel standard).
Price is $349 for the 256MB GT version. Part number is 100-435854.
This new card is specific to owners of PowerMac G5 with PCI Express (PCIe -- the serial standard), not PCI-X (PCI-Extended -- the parallel standard).
Price is $349 for the 256MB GT version. Part number is 100-435854.
Aperture 1.5: First Impressions
2006-09-30
My first impression is that my machine is going to be very busy for a long time.
After updating to 10.4.8 I installed and ran Aperture 1.5. After selecting to update my library, my Mac went to work. First there is a preparation stage during which I think it copies all the non-image library information to a safe place. Then it converts projects one by one. Then it validates the projects one by one, presumably comparing them against the data it save during preparation. At this point the projects start to reappear in the projects pane. Then it upgrades all the albums one by one and they reappear.
Then it is done! But not quite. In the background it is generating previews, about 20,000 of them in my case. This will take a while (it is still going). Use Window > Show Tasks List to see how far it has to go:
At the rate it is processing them right now, I have about 4.5 hours still to go. I can use Aperture in the meantime, but I know it is going to be sluggish.
To find out how to use the new loupe, go to Help > Late Breaking News. You bring up the old loupe first (tilde, above the TAB key on my US keyboard), then select View > Use Centered Loupe (command shift tilde). The manual that is in the Help menu is more up to date than the one on the Apple web site, but still incomplete.
The most obvious visual difference is that the keys 1 through 8 no longer add metadata to images. Option 1 through 8 do that. Keys 1 through 5 are now used to change ratings. 0 now means not rated and 9 means reject. + and - increase and decrease as before.
Clicking on the filter button brings up the filter much faster for projects with a lot of keyworded images.
After updating to 10.4.8 I installed and ran Aperture 1.5. After selecting to update my library, my Mac went to work. First there is a preparation stage during which I think it copies all the non-image library information to a safe place. Then it converts projects one by one. Then it validates the projects one by one, presumably comparing them against the data it save during preparation. At this point the projects start to reappear in the projects pane. Then it upgrades all the albums one by one and they reappear.
Then it is done! But not quite. In the background it is generating previews, about 20,000 of them in my case. This will take a while (it is still going). Use Window > Show Tasks List to see how far it has to go:
At the rate it is processing them right now, I have about 4.5 hours still to go. I can use Aperture in the meantime, but I know it is going to be sluggish.
To find out how to use the new loupe, go to Help > Late Breaking News. You bring up the old loupe first (tilde, above the TAB key on my US keyboard), then select View > Use Centered Loupe (command shift tilde). The manual that is in the Help menu is more up to date than the one on the Apple web site, but still incomplete.
The most obvious visual difference is that the keys 1 through 8 no longer add metadata to images. Option 1 through 8 do that. Keys 1 through 5 are now used to change ratings. 0 now means not rated and 9 means reject. + and - increase and decrease as before.
Clicking on the filter button brings up the filter much faster for projects with a lot of keyworded images.
Aperture 1.5 Is Out
2006-09-29
Once you have downloaded the Aperture 1.5 update (125MB) and then one of the Mac OS X 10.4.8 updates that you need to install first (148MB for me), and then let Aperture loose on your library updating all the thumbnails and previews, you'll be wondering where the new documentation is.
Right now the manuals are on the front page of Apple's Support page for Manuals, but this will change as more manuals get added to the site. You can download the manuals all in one go (about 22MB) as follows:
1. Open the Download window in Safari
2. Highlight the text below
3. Drag and drop it onto the Download window
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_Performing_Adjustments.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_Ordering_Books_and_Prints.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_Quick__Reference.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_Installing_Your_Software.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_User_Manual.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_1.0_lbn_z.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_New_Features.pdf
Update: That user manual is still the same one that shipped with 1.0. Once you are running Aperture, go to Help > User Manual for the latest version.
Aperture 1.5: Why The Wait?
2006-09-27
Everything says it is ready -- except it is not available yet. Why not?
The best reason I can come up with is that some of the changes in it need 10.4.8, and that will be released this week too. It is also possible that the 10.4.8 release is being synchronized with an update of the MacBook and MacBook Pros, since new hardware often needs an OS revision to drive it.
While you wait you can read this article by Rob Galbraith. It includes images from the presentation in Germany this week.
The best reason I can come up with is that some of the changes in it need 10.4.8, and that will be released this week too. It is also possible that the 10.4.8 release is being synchronized with an update of the MacBook and MacBook Pros, since new hardware often needs an OS revision to drive it.
While you wait you can read this article by Rob Galbraith. It includes images from the presentation in Germany this week.
Aperture 1.5 Announced
2006-09-25
Announced, but not yet released... The update will be available "later this week", and I am sure the news will spread like wildfire once it is available.
The best information I have found so is a review of a late beta at Creative Pro. And of course on Apple's own Aperture pages.
As well as the big new features, it looks like vaults can now be split across drives: Apple now lists back up to multiple drives simultaneously and says "and the vaults themselves could consist of multiple external drives" in the description of Integrated Backup.
Automator.us has information on the new actions available in Aperture 1.5.
A post on the Apple Aperture forums today:
Aperture 1.5 includes two new commands -- Relocate Masters and Consolidate Masters -- which will automatically move images out of or into the Aperture Library bundle, so you have the choice of locating them wherever you want...and you can change your mind at any point and relocate them again, as the need arises. In any case, they will always remain linked to your Library.
Joe Schorr
Sr. Product Manager, Aperture
Apple
A list of supported cameras is on Apple's site. Fuji support has been added. And Apple's tutorials and quick tours have been updated for Aperture 1.5.
Aperture 1.1.2 Is Out
2006-06-21
An update to Aperture is now available, taking it to 1.1.2. 14MB in size.
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