Aperture (#3): Another method for doing RAW conversion in ACR; Problems importing metadata; Crash culprits; more

Another method for doing RAW conversion in ACR Yesterday we noted that perhaps the most lamented issue with Aperture 1.0 is an inability to convert RAW files from the camera with another application (such as the Adobe Camera RAW [ACR] component of Adobe Photoshop) while still using Aperture's organization capabilities.

We also posted a step-by-step process for modifying the Aperture workflow to include a stop in ACR for RAW conversion.

Apple Discussions poster Ian Wood has now developed a more effective process, as follows:

"First, set up a hot folder that will automatically open files in Photoshop. Then make sure that Photoshop is set up as the external editor using PSD, and that the preferences in Photoshop are set to 'maximum compatibility' for PSD files.

"Then, whenever you have an image that you want to convert in ACR:

1. Select the image, export master (Apple-Shift-S) to the hot folder.
2. The image will automatically be launched in ACR and you can make your conversion with full control.
3. Swap back to Aperture and 'Open in external editor' (Apple-Shift-O). This will make a 16-bit conversion of the RAW file, automatically linked with the original, and open it in Photoshop.
4. Copy your ACR conversion into the new 16-bit file from Aperture.
5. Flatten, reduce to 8-bit if required, add any layers that you want, including text layers. Save, close both files.

Problems importing metadata Some users report problems importing previously stored metadata for photos into Aperture, which uses its own IPTC fields that are easily modifiable from within the application, but have problems accepting data created elsewhere.

Apple Discussions poster atow has written an AppleScript Studio application that successfully transfers data from iView Media Pro catalogs into Aperture.

In addition, Aperture exhibits an odd navigation mechanism where adding IPTC data to an image will move that photo to the end of the library and automatically scroll back to the beginning of the library, making data entry for multiple images somewhat tedious.

Bad RAM, errant USB devices can cause crashes If you are having problems with Aperture repeatedly crashing after a few minutes of operation, try disconnecting third-party USB devices (in some cases including keyboards and mice) and check for persistence of the problem.

You may also want to check for problematic RAM.

Dual monitor issues Some users report problems with multiple-display set-ups and Aperture, including an inability to move the browser window to the secondary display.

A kludgy workaround is to change the secondary display to the primary display by using the "Displays" pane of System Preferences.

Sharing libraries between multiple users Sharing photo libraries between multiple users on the same machine can cause some permissions problems for Aperture.

One solution is to store the Aperture library on a separate partition or volume on which permissions are ignored.

You can change this setting by selecting the desired volume in the Finder, then using the Get Info command (Command-I keyboard combination, or "Get Info" under the "File" menu). Check the "Ignore permissions" box (note that this option will not be accessible on a startup drive).

Once you've modified the target volume to ignore permissions, open Aperture on all intended user accounts and set the default library location to a folder on the volume.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage

1. Aperture (#2): Inability to use other RAW converters, possible solution; Performance issues with libraries imported from iPhoto
2. Aperture: Apple's new photo post production application

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