If you read my last post, you know how Aperture won’t upgrade due to unrealistic expectations in terms of disk space.
Here is what I had to do so that I could use the new version:
- I moved my 76.3 GB Aperture library to an external hard drive.
- I started Aperture. It created a new empty library.
- I selected to Import Library/Project… and selected my library.
- I waited a day or so for the import to finish. (I’m not exaggerating)
I am now waiting for detecting faces, processing and upgrading thumbnails. It looks like this will take another day or two. (I’m not exaggerating)
SO…
If you want to upgrade to Aperture 3 and you have a lot of photos (tens of thousands).
- Make sure you have an external hard drive around to use.
- Be prepared to wait several days for the process to finish.
I’ll let you know what I think of it if I ever actually get a chance to use the program.
Richard,
The very same issue. Right now, it feels like I’ve fallen into a trap set by Apple to coerce me into buying another machine. Not doing that so I’m following your recommendations above. Now, please will you disambiguate for a very, very nervous rookie:
Currently, I’m copying my Aperture Library from my iMac to one of those “big T” Lacie externals. Acres of disk space there. You say “move” the library. Do yo mean delete the original library once it’s copied to the external? Yes, I know that’s probably sounding dumb but my life’s work is at stake and I need it to go by the numbers.
If that’s the case then, presumably, starting Aperture (with the vacated disk space) will permit the upgrade to happen on “a new empty library.” Will Aperture do that for me or do I have to create it etc.?
Then, I import my old, copied library back from the external and, I’m supposing, Aperture will prompt into converting these for Aperture 3 usage.
By the way, there’s a post on the Apple Support site detailing an alternative method: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2379340&tstart=75
However, not quite sure how this method resolves the disk space issue.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling like falling into a trap set by Apple. I feel the same way. In addition, after getting Aperture 3 working I feel like it is slower and I get the spinning rainbow cursor more often than Aperture 2.
Yes, when I said “move” I meant that I deleted the original library on the laptop after it was copied to the external harddrive. This is what I had to do to free up enough disk space on the laptop for this to work.
And yes, that’s correct, when I started Aperture after having moved the library it automatically created a new empty library.
Then I selected to Import Library/Project… and selected my library. Yes, Aperture converted it to Aperture 3 usage.
And I had to wait a LONG LONG time.
I think the link that you included is suggesting to do the upgrade on the external drive rather than the laptop drive.
That sounds like a good idea, but is different than what I did.
So for instance, I think what they are suggesting is:
- Hold down the option key while starting Aperture 3
- Select the option to “Create a New Library” and create it on the external drive. Aperture should now start with an empty library.
- Now, select to Import Library/Project… and select your original library on the laptop.
- Wait lots of time until the upgrade/import finishes.
- Once you have verified that all your pictures are working, delete the original library on the laptop.
- Copy your new Aperture 3 library from the external drive to your laptop.
I’ve never tried this, so have no idea if it would work, but it sounds like a reasonable thing to try.
If you try this, please let me know if it works well.
Richard,
Thanks for that. Thinking about it, you could also upgrade on the external hard drive (especially if that’s got lots of free space and is running quicker), then delete the original and import the already-upgraded library back from the external.
For the future, might I suggest a discussion about Referenced Masters as a method of reducing Hard Disk space?
Thanks
nbak