[OreoCookie]

Yesterday, my university ordered a MacBook Pro for me, so I was wondering about native programs to manage my photos. I currently use iView Media Pro 2.6. However, I have some serious gripes with the app (sometimes files are `not found', although they're there, porblems with unicode characters, the likes). I obviously would like to use a `native' application for x86 cpus, so I was looking into Aperture.

I have several questions, preferably posed to people who use this program.

1. Is this app capable of handling 15k+ pictures (that's the amount in my main library). I don't mean capable as in `in theory it works, but it's slow as molasses'-capable, but comfortably usable on a supposedly fast machine (I will get the 7.2k drive if it makes any difference).

2. What are realistic requirements for RAM? Will 1-2 GB be enough?

3. Is there a demo I can download and try (I haven't found one)?

4. Is there a way to print batches of pictures?

EDIT: Just thought I'd mention this. I have read the appropriate threads, in particular the 6-page discussion. My question rather is how you find yourself working with aperture: many `small' libraries, one for each project, or one big library with everything in it?

[- - e r i k - -]

1. Yes it is. It is extremely slow on my brand "new" iMac G5 (only two models old, sigh), especially with smart albums. Your MacBook Pro should handle it though, I have no idea why smart albums bring it to it knees while iPhoto handles them instantly.

2. 1-2 GB should be your target requirement. I have 2 myself, and wouldn't consider less.

3. No.

4. Yes. Printing, web and books are all handed beautifully.

There are some excellent features of the program itself that I wouldn't be without, otherwise I miss the speed of iPhoto.

[OreoCookie]

Thanks a lot for your reply, I haven't expected one anymore

Point #1: it is still useable or not?

Point #3 really sucks, I would like to try it for -- say -- 30 days and see how it handles itself. I've invested countless hours to sort my library with iView after two fiascos with iPhoto (versions 2 and 4 -- 2 was unbearably slow and 4 was so crash-prone, it destroyed my library, ending up with up to 5 duplicates, took hours to clean that up).

Sounds like I should really give the app a try. I wish I could testdrive it, though.

Just one last question: if you compare the way you have worked with your [insert previous photo library app], how does the photo management differ? It seems more like it is focussed on individual pictures and not on sorting groups of pics …

[CatOne]

Hi Oreo,

Some food for thought:

#1: Aperture WILL NOT RUN on the MacBook Pro until the Universal version is available in March. Will not run as in "will not run or install, period." You may not get the MBP until then, so that may be just fine.

#2: I'd do 2 GB RAM, for sure. 1 GB is most certainly going to lead to paging... it will be painful.

#3: Not that I know of, for now.

#4: You can print contact sheets... I don't know exactly what you're referring to as "batches of pictures"

I should note that currently Aperture does not support offline archives like iVMP does -- i.e. you really do need to be working with "one big library" to have all your pictures be accessible. Aperture is really a different kind of app that iVMP -- it's a workflow-based editing tool, rather than an archiving/cataloging tool. Aperture's editing and sorting/picking tools are VASTLY better than iVMPs, but you can't track pictures at all if they're not in your active library.

[harrisjamieh]

Just ever so slightly off topic.... your university is buying YOU a macbook pro!!! not fair!

[Maflynn]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

1. Is this app capable of handling 15k+ pictures (that's the amount in my main library). I don't mean capable as in `in theory it works, but it's slow as molasses'-capable, but comfortably usable on a supposedly fast machine (I will get the 7.2k drive if it makes any difference).

Yes, while I don't have that many, Aperture has been chugging along quite nicely on my G5. Others have mentioned some slow downs, I have incurred only minor delays nothing that I have not seen on other software applications.

2. What are realistic requirements for RAM? Will 1-2 GB be enough?

I have 2 gig on my G5, I have Aperture, Safari and PS open at the same time. All applications are responsive and very little disk thrashing

3. Is there a demo I can download and try (I haven't found one)?

Nope and that's too bad

4. Is there a way to print batches of pictures?

Somewhat, you can create a smart album and select all items within that, or manually select multiple images to print

EDIT: Just thought I'd mention this. I have read the appropriate threads, in particular the 6-page discussion. My question rather is how you find yourself working with aperture: many `small' libraries, one for each project, or one big library with everything in it?

I work with one library, I tried the many small library method but that interefered in how I wanted to work. For instance, I have an album showing off my favorite picture that I took over the years. When I broke up the library, I lost the functionality of having one album showing them off. Additonaly searching and making up web galleries is hindered.

As another poster mentioned at this moment Aperture will not run on a Macbook, but apple promised that an upgrade to universal binaries will be released in March.


Finally my $.02
I was a user of iView for years and found it to be a very capable and powerful tool. One strong point that I like Aperture (and many do not) is that the application takes care of the image storage,i.e., the library). I can understand people's angst but for me I don't want to have mess with a hierarchial file structure. Additionally Aperture really does enhance my digital workflow and DAM.

I've been toying with LightRoom lately and that has promise, but so far I have not figured out how to create a hierarchy within the applications. For Aperture, I have a folder for 2006, then another for Twins (My wife just gave birth) then a project. LR only seems to have collections and shoots, I cannot see how to create folders and sub folders.

Since apple does not provide a demo, you now have to rely on others for feedback. Take a trip to an apple store and play with one. And since you qualify for an educational discount the risk is somewhat mitigated.

Overall I think its a good product one on par with iView and I expect Apple to improve some of the short comings in the near future making it superior to iView.

Take look at the mac forum on dpreview.com, you'll see more threads about aperture there which may help you form an opinion.

Mike

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by CatOne

Hi Oreo,

Some food for thought:

Thanks for your reply

Originally Posted by CatOne

#1: Aperture WILL NOT RUN on the MacBook Pro until the Universal version is available in March. Will not run as in "will not run or install, period." You may not get the MBP until then, so that may be just fine.

I know, but I do know Apple will release Universal Binaries. I wouldn't purchase it beforehand.

Originally Posted by CatOne

#2: I'd do 2 GB RAM, for sure. 1 GB is most certainly going to lead to paging... it will be painful.

Well, the university wanted to pay for 1 GB, so I guess I have to pop in another

Originally Posted by CatOne

#4: You can print contact sheets... I don't know exactly what you're referring to as "batches of pictures"

Well, I have recently purchased a 10x15 cm2 photo printer and I wanted to find a possibility how to just print each picture out of a selection.

Originally Posted by CatOne

I should note that currently Aperture does not support offline archives like iVMP does -- i.e. you really do need to be working with "one big library" to have all your pictures be accessible. Aperture is really a different kind of app that iVMP -- it's a workflow-based editing tool, rather than an archiving/cataloging tool. Aperture's editing and sorting/picking tools are VASTLY better than iVMPs, but you can't track pictures at all if they're not in your active library.

That's not a big deal for me. I have one library with all my pictures on my local harddrive. As long as I can tag pictures with persons, locations, etc., then I'd be pretty happy.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by harrisjamieh

Just ever so slightly off topic.... your university is buying YOU a macbook pro!!! not fair!

You bet I'm damn lucky
Fortunately my professor had enough in his budget for last year (basically it was either: you use it or you lose it).

@Mike
Thanks, that's was exactly what I was looking for
I'm also not so concerned with an app managing my pics as long as I can trust it

I really wish, they had a demo

I share your concerns about Lightroom, the app doesn't seem intuitive enough to me, although it has a few nice things (like changing the temperature with a single slider, but I guess Aperture can do that, too).

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Thanks a lot for your reply, I haven't expected one anymore

Yeah, I just rescued it from page 2 obscurity

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Point #1: it is still useable or not?

I use it. There's no doubt that it needs improvement. Handling and rendering loads of RAW-files in real time obviously is hard work. The project managment tools are really good once you get used to them (I especially love stacks after I found out how to use them properly). The tagging tools are a bit weird when it comes to batch tagging (separate batch-tagging window), but it's all very powerful.

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Point #3 really sucks, I would like to try it for -- say -- 30 days and see how it handles itself.

Well, there are less reputable sources of getting the application only (the full DVD is full of extra stuff), and try that out. For me I have no problems doing this when there are no demo available, but YMMV. (Your Morals May Vary )

Sounds like I should really give the app a try. I wish I could testdrive it, though.

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Just one last question: if you compare the way you have worked with your [insert previous photo library app], how does the photo management differ? It seems more like it is focussed on individual pictures and not on sorting groups of pics …

It is a bit different than iPhoto for sure, but after some initial hiccups and learning I do prefer Aperture, apart from the slowness.

[Old Toad]

Like Maflynn I've used iView for quit a while and found it very reliable. The new version has some very nice enhancements and, in my experience, is very stable. One thing to consider about Aperture is that it copies the files into it's unique container system. That's one aspect of it I do not like. Here's a link to a thread by a user who has run Aperture, iView, iPhoto, Bridge and Version Cue. He's posted his evalualtion, pros and cons, on all of those applications. I'm sure you'll find it useful.

[OreoCookie]

Thanks for all the valuable input guys, sounds like I'm going to get Aperture … but maybe I'll try it out for a few hours if I have the chance to

BTW, I don't shoot raws, so my library consists of jpgs only (my camera can shoot raws, but the time to write images is proportional to their size and 1.1 MB jpgs already take 2-3 seconds