Aperture (#8) 1.0.1: keeps appearing in Software Update after it is applied; metadata issues not fixed; more

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 8:37 a.m. PT

3 min read

Aperture 1.0.1 update keeps appearing in Software Update even after it is applied Several users report that the Aperture 1.0.1 update, released earlier this week, continues to appear in Software Update, even after the program has been successfully updated.

Generally this problem is caused by the lack of an appropriate Receipt file -- in Aperture's case /Library/Receipts/Aperture1.0.1Update.pkg -- though users experiencing this problem report that file to indeed be intact.

Metadata issues not fixed Most readers report that the metadata issues we covered extensively in prior reports are, for the most part, unresolved in Aperture 1.0.1. This despite that fact that Apple mentions metadata in its sparse documentation as one of the targeted areas for improvement.

Specifically the issues, which Apple has also acknowledged in a Knowledge Base document, are as follows:

EXIF missing when exporting versions as TIFF, PNG, PSD If you export a version as TIFF, PNG, or PSD, you may see that most of the EXIF data is missing. However, it's present when exporting to JPEG. Keywords and IPTC data should export as expected.

Metadata added prior to Aperture import is missing If you use a third-party application such as Photo Mechanic to apply metadata to RAW images prior to Aperture import, the metadata is not currently recognized in the Aperture metadata inspector. However, it remains part of the file and is present if you export the master.

Aperture won't import certain files with added metadata Under certain circumstances with certain cameras, Aperture may not be able to import files which have had metadata added by Photo Mechanic or similar applications. Sometimes the file may import but then result in an "unsupported format" message.

According to various sources, some of these issues will actually be resolved in Mac OS X 10.4.4, which is currently under development.

Performance/8-bit improvements Several readers report enhanced performance from Aperture 1.0.1, as well as significant enhancements to 8-bit export quality.

Problems with print ordering MacFixIt reader Brett Wickens reports some glaring issues with Aperture's print ordering mechanism:

"First, I ordered several 6x4 prints. Using iPhoto, if the images are not cropped to this ratio, the print service will center the image and automatically crop it full bleed, making sure you end up with a complete 6x4 print. With Aperture, I just received my prints, and the FULL image area was printed WITHIN the 6x4 print size, leaving a 1/2 inch white border down both short edges. I raised the issue with Apple, and the credited me for the order. They did not admit that it was an Aperture flaw.

"Second, is the actual process of ordering prints. With iPhoto, a progress dialog shows the upload of the images, with accurate timing, and ends with a confirmation dialog. With Aperture, there is brief 'barometer bar' dialog that always says 'Exporting photos: estimated time 1 minute", though the 'barometer bar' never fills in. This dialog goes away quickly, and then up to five minutes later a confirmation dialog with the order number appears. It is easy to think the ordering process has aborted during this time lag as there is no feedback. But, if you try and quit Aperture during this time, it provides an error dialog saying that an order is in process and to wait."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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