I’m usually a flag waver for artistic vision rather than gear or the tools of our craft, but this calls for an exception: just minutes ago Apple announced the much anticipated Aperture 3.0. And it’s the bomb. I’m lucky enough to have been using it for several months now.
There’s few things I think photographers will want to know about this new release. First, and most importantly, driving this software feels like you’re driving a German sports car. Aperture 3.0 has the power and grace that we’ve come to expect from Apple. Second, it’s got new features for days…
My favorites off the top of my head:
_Brushable, scalable, adjustments. Yep. They nailed it. Full selective controls on every adjustment you want.
_Video. Apple nailed this too. Aperture 3.0 has full multi-media capabilities. That’s right. Finally something that handles all those video files from your HD dSLR. Import, rate, scrub video, trim your clips. Add audio. Make a full-on MOVIE within Aperture or export to Final Cut Pro. Insanely cool. (Update: FYI it supports Nikon D300s files, D3 files, Canon 7d and 5d files, you name it, and a range of audio files from all manufactures as well.)
_Adjustment presets on import. Also seriously cool. Fast. Shoot tethered in your studio and want the photos to look sexy before the model or art director can see the RAW file? No problem. This kicks ass.
_Customizable. I’m a whiner when I can’t configure my software the way I want it. No worries, here. Fully customizable.
_Best little hidden nugget you wouldn’t know? The skin smoothing feature is absolutely unbelievable. When we need to smooth the skin of a model, it’s usually quite a process. Now it’s so damn easy, I’ll probably even smooth my skin up before I send pictures to my mom.
For the full kahuna, check out Apple’s Aperture page here. Since I’ve been using this software for a while, I’ve got a cameo video at Apple.com that features my Songs For Eating and Drinking series. Check it out if you’ve got time today. And of course, holler at me with questions or comments. I had a blast playing with this stuff, and I’m not shy on opinions.
Aperture is available today for $200 for the full version, or $100 to upgrade, with a 30-day free trial here.
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Do you think their is use for Aperture and Lightroom? I'm a big fan of lightroom and see leaving it but wonder an effective way to work with both? (vague question but…)
Looks like they (Apple) finally listened to photographers, can't wait to try brushes and presets!
John P. Castro, if you use Lightroom and like it, why change?
Chase, despite being a bit of an Apple fanboi, I camped out in Lightroom side of the river since they both came on the market. How do you compare the two with this new release?
Does Aperture 3 tie in well with PS? Are user-generated plugins supported?
Pretty sweet you've had the chance to check it out pre-release!
Cheers from Manila.
"_Adjustment present on import. Seriously cool. Shoot tethered in your studio and want the photos to look sexy before the model or art director can see the RAW file? No problem. This kicks ass." – That does kick ass!
Congrats on your videos being embedded on Apple's Aperture page!
Woot! But just as I'd decided to put my credit card away in a safe place until the end of the month…
But at least there's upgrade pricing…
Any word on whether plug-ins for Aperture 2 are compatible with Aperture 3? I really like my Nik Software suite…
check this out. aperture 3.0 toggles back and forth from normal 64 bit operation to 32 bit operation to account for old plugin architecture. then, when you relaunch not using old plugins, it returns to 64 bit without you noticing…
If Apple includes Aperture for iPad, it's over for me and Lightroom. Maybe not the full version, just enough to bring in the files from a shoot and use the iPad while roaming around (or watching TV) for setting ratings and basic edits.
Francesco B.
Although I really like Lightroom the video in Aperture is appealing considering this is where photography is headed (if that makes sense) into this photo/video hybrid mode. And although i'm just starting in video I would like to learn it ASAP to stay ahead. I just get a little overwhelmed adding more and more software that can get out of hand keeping things organized. Probably just me but…
The real question is, how will it run on my old MBP with 2gb of ram? Any ideas?
Thanks for sharing, Chase! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
John P. , I understand what you're saying and it makes sense indeed.
I'm going to upgrade from 2 to 3 because the tools they've added look really promising (and I already know I'm going to use Brushes A LOT, I was missing a tool like that!), but I don't know how good Aperture 3 is with video (other than integrating it with pictures and music). If I were using Lightroom (which is an excellent software, from what I've seen) and needed to learn more about video editing, I'd look into more dedicated software, like Final Cut Pro, before moving all my pictures from one library to another.
So, I'm guessing Phase One support will never happen. Maybe when the iPhone/iPad has Flash support.
What did Phase One do to piss off Apple?
i went with LR over Aperture even though I love Apple products.. found LR easier to use and had more features/plugins…
but man oh man the way Aperture has implemented places and faces looks REALLY nice – WAY better than LR.
I'm downloading a copy to try and this may push me over the edge to switch to Aperture
Brushes, finally something Aperture should have got long time ago. It was way behind the competition.
Congrats Chase for making that deal with Apple. I have to say though, the cameo video doesn't look convincing. It's obvious the screenshots on your Cinema Displays were added in the post.
I'm not particularly sure about the choice of "Songs for…" session. What you say on the apple video isn't compelling for me, some of the shots look crude regardless of the adjustments. I think Seattle 100 project would be much more suitable pick.
I'm excited to try the new version anyway, but the download site has been 404 for a while.
Looks amazing. Big question, DOES IT DO HDR PROCESSING?
Aperture 2 made picture editing even quicker looks like Aperture 3 will make it even faster. Looks like i'll be needing a Mac upgrade soon
Aperture 2 made picture editing even quicker looks like Aperture 3 will make it even faster. Looks like i'll be needing a Mac upgrade soon
that whole list of awesome new features sounds A LOT like the lightroom develop module. I'm glad Apple is responding to demand for features like this, but it's fun to hit the website and read the standard Apple copy about how revolutionary and new the things I've been doing in lightroom forever are
Sounds cool. I've never used apeture. From what I know, doesn't lightroom already do most of this? Besides video, why would I switch. Is it worth trying?
one word people: VIDEO.
Hey Chase, congrats on previewing Aperture 3 and the video.
In the past, I have felt like a beta tester when I buy a new Apple product as soon as they are released. But since you have used it for a while and are encouraging others to try it, I am guessing it has been very stable for you. Is this a correct assumption?
I think we've been waiting two years for this upgrade, but I definitely like the features I see. You did a nice job of demonstrating the impact of adjustment brushes in your video. Now I can't wait to get away from my day job and hit the Apple Store for my copy.
I'm geeking out over simple, yet important things like curves and the ability to merge & sync libraries. This definitely looks like a cool upgrade.
Thanks Chase!
Have you used Viveza (from Nik Software) and if so, does the new brushes functionality 'kinda' do the same thing?
Can't wait to try all these new features!
Love the blog/site
Daithí
Chase, unfortunately Aperture has lost this customer due to their public relations. I started with Aperture 2.0 and spent almost a year with the product, investing countless hours learning the tool.
There are two companies in this game: Apple and Adobe, each handles news about their product's future directions in polar opposites. After persistent rumors of Aperture's death, the well publicized stats on Aperture's declining market share, and the public Lightroom 3.0 beta, deafening slience from Apple, I decided to try Lightroom.
I've now invested many hours learning Lightroom and I've been using that the last few months.
Apple's released version 3.0 today? Half of their audience wouldn't have been surprised to hear the product had been canceled.
Since we use Photoshop and that isn't going to change in the near future, I'll probably stick with Adobe.
Will Aperture 3 handle video from sources other than a dSLR? I have a Canon HF10 that I would love to run through this.
Either way, syncing libraries wins the argument for me!
Chase & Team…. really love your blog and the content. The type choice on your main articles is soooo hard to read. Do our eyes a favor and boost it up a couple point sizes and use something that is legible. I would like to keep my eyes healthy as well as read your fabulous comments. Thank you.
Tks for the update Chase!!
Quick Question: DOES IT RUN FASTER? I only have a MBP(2008) and it's quite slow sometimes especially when I', trying to use Burn and dodge.. Actually did they enchance that feature because it's not that great compared to Lightroom or of course Photoshop.
Cheers and tks again!
Her's an excellent resource for Aperture 3:
http://aperture.maccreate.com/
OK, I tried the trail and it crashed after some 8 minutes of making simple adjustments to ONE photo. It's unbearably slow on my 3ghz dual core iMac and is terribly unstable.
What are your experiences? Any early crashes?
@ghislain: yes it's much faster. built from ground up for 64 bit processing. I can't comment about older machines since we keep our stuff pretty current in our demanding professional environs.
@top tier: yikes. dunno bout that, mate. i've had good stability and good speed working on good machines.
Hi Chase,
Have you posted your required info in regards to the new FTC blog rules?
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf
Hey Chase,
Do you know if it supports the mRaw and sRaw files from the 7D? Aperture 2 doesn't support it and instead it forces me to take a long route around to get the photos in.
Thanks!
Graeme
@anon: it's no secret to anyone who pays attention to what i do: i only recommend things i like, period. i've had a disclaimer in my sidebar since long before the ftc had anything to say about the topic. disingenuous comments aren't welcome here.
I always thought that if someone bought photo mechanic, pixelmator and norrkross movie and combined them into a single app they would rule the photography world…
Looks like Apple did it one better… complete integration from core os to apple smoothness in user interface. Good job Apple! You got me curious.
Chase, do you know if integration is okay FCS 2 or does have to be FCS 3?
@graeme: A3 should support all the new cameras. engineers tell me it supports 5d, 7d, d300, d3s video files, etc
here's the published list of video and audio files supported, although it's NOT an exhaustive list (i know this since i've played Nikon D3s files in A3 and it's not listed…)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4025
Awesome! Buying upgrade today. Now, just waiting for Nikon to release a D4. LOL
Hey Chase,
did Aperture 3 change your file management/back up routine(s) in any way? Did Apple improve the backup utility or is it the same as Aperture 2?
Thanks, ciao!
I am thisclose to jumping on the Aperture band wagon. The built in tether feature alone sells me on it. One thing I had to do to get great colors in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom was setup a custom camera profile. The RAW files out of my D300 always looked bland on import until I slapped them with a custom profile. I shot an x-rite color chart and followed a tutorial I found on dpbestflow.org (http://www.dpbestflow.org/color/camera-profiling). I've been trying to figure out how Aperture handles camera profiles and if there is a way to create custom profiles using color checker charts. Chase or anyone else.. any insight on this? Thanks!
So Chase, WAS that Aperature 3 you were using in the Live Shoot?
And Gizmodo put up an article on Aperature 3: http://gizmodo.com/5467543/apple-aperture-3-brings-a-little-bit-of-iphoto-to-pro-photos-with-faces-and-places
It seems like Apple is playing a bit of catch up with Adobe here, and I don't see Places and Faces being all that useful in pro level software. But if video works as well as Chase says, and they gave it a speed boost, this might be an essential tool.
Still doesn't support my camera (Sigma) and I'm stuck on a G5 still (
)…guess I'll continue down the road with Lightroom….
Loved ya'lls live shoot and was excited to see you guys using Aperture for your software of choice.
I have been using aperture since it came out and LR has been looking very nice to switch to but I knew Aperture 3 was around the corner.
I can't wait to hear how you guys are using it or your tips and tricks that speed your work flow up. From the features list there is a LOT to love about the new aperture 3!
Thanks for sharing your opinions and observations, Chase! I've been looking forward to an Aperture update for some time.
As for what Spencer was saying, I agree that there may not yet be any real professional applications of places/faces, but for people like me who want to use the same software for our personal projects and our commercial work, having these features included is very nice.
just tried to download trial… sadly Apple keeps sending me emails with a Subject line but no body text.
I guess no Aperture trial for me then…
admin – I was getting that as well, using Mailplane. The message does have body, it's just not showing up. Look at the raw text of the message. In Mailplane, click on the downward arrow next to 'Reply' and select 'Show original'. You'll see the text then!
I love the new features, really cool stuff.
Congrats on the In Action section, and by the way the grizzly bear shots in the screen shots and tutorial videos are mine!!!
http://www.enriqueaguirre.com
Looks pretty cool so far! I don't mind lightroom 2.6, although I do find it rather buggy, and it tends to crash pretty often for no apparent reason. I tried aperture 2.0 and found that it lacked a lot of things that Lightroom 2.5 had at the time, and capture 1 didn't really 'capture' all my hopes and dreams either.
Chase, how does Ap. 3.0 handle dual screens? Is it functional when using one screen as library, second screen as editing window?
Also, not trying to continue anything (or start anything), but could someone enlighten me as to what anon's endorsement guide had to do with Chase writing an approving post on aperture 3.0? I have a blog and occassionally post about different equipment and really never thought anything of it.
managed to get the trial…
… did a quick import of some photos / videos that came from a 5D II .
Photo import works as before.
As for the video import that's a whole other story. Firstly it takes for ever to bring videos into the library. I figured that was probably due Aperture converting the videos to something it can edit.
Far from it. Once the "import" finished all I got was a box for each video saying "unsupported video format".
What I don't understand is why I can play the videos in finder and iMovie as well as FinalCut play the videos ok (albeit after doing a conversion at import) yet Aperture has problem.
It really seems the video feature was an afterthought that wasn't very thought out at all.
I am getting a bit disappointed with Apple products lately. More and more now I keep stumbling across things that just don't work as advertised.
@Chase: "Update: FYI it supports Nikon D300s files, D3 files, Canon 7d and 5d files, you name it, and a range of audio files from all manufactures as well."
This is an incorrect statement. At least the trial version doesn't seem to support video files that came from 5D II. It looks like you have to transcode them first outside of Aperture.
"At least the trial version doesn't seem to support video files that came from 5D II. It looks like you have to transcode them first outside of Aperture."
Uh, you guys must be doing something wrong. I have lots of 5DMKII videos in my Aperture 3 library straight from the camera. They work great.
Very cool. Downloading the trial now. I'm really looking forward to the video editing actually. Since I've gotten the Nikon D90, I have been using it more and more for creative video projects, and it's great that you can now manage the files within Aperture and then go to FCP.
And FINALLY, brushes!
Chase,
Are you importing your video directly from the D3s? When I bring it into Final Cut I have to take it through MPEG Stream and convert to ProRes422.(Which looks killer by the way).
Any help on your video workflow with A3 and the D3s would be very greatly appreciated.
Bill
I really liked Aperture 2, but it still couldn't drag me away from Lightroom 2. The story may have changed now. I'm looking forward to the Aperture 3 test drive, as Apple may have won me over.
Chase, you say that it is much faster than 2.0. I lift then stamp a large number of photos at a time, and get the spinning basket ball of death on 2.0 for ages. Does this still happen in 3?
So so so excited that they're including video! I've been hating that Aperture and Lightroom don't handle all the files coming off my camera… and now one of them will! Yay!
Congrats on the featured video, Chase!
oh boy! I've only had Aperture 2 for about 6 months and now I'm going to have to pay half again to upgrade
But still, this is gonna be ill!
Hey, question: to run it in 64 bit mode, do you still have to hold 6 and 4 when you're booting your Mac??
Actually, after looking at some of the videos on Apple's website and I have a couple more questions if you have a chance to answer them:
- The adjustment brushes among some of the other new features look totally awesome; do you think that there's still a need for Photoshop for most photographers with this sort of power in programs like Aperture?
- And my other question, do you know of any websites that have good quality Aperture tutorials? Kelbytraining only seem to have Lightroom tutorials at the moment
Thanks in advance if you get a chance to read this
such great words from such a great photographer on such great software. keep it up chase. love the work.
Still no Phase One support from a so called "Pro" app ?!
Whats going on Apple?!
I tried it and it crashed while importing the first project. I was trying to look at a picture full screen while importing.
I was also hoping some improvement in RAW processing but it seems to be pretty equal to V2.
Anyhow, too manxy good new features to not upgrade… already ordered and on the way… ^^
Frank
For those who are already using it, it'd be a great thing if you could please mention the system you have, or at least the processor and the RAM.
Thanks!
@David: Try out: http://aperture.maccreate.com/ They have some tutorials.
@david
"Hey, question: to run it in 64 bit mode, do you still have to hold 6 and 4 when you're booting your Mac??"
That's only for loading a 64-bit kernel. OS 10.5 and 10.6 run 64-bit apps just fine even with the default 32-bit kernel.
Chase –
Is Aperture 3 a substitute for the full Final Cut Studio? How about sound management? Does it play well with Garage Band? Can you import multi-media content from Aperture 3 straight to iDVD for presentation disc creation?
As of now I use CS4, Photo Mechanic (for editing and captioning) and Final Cut Studio with DVD Studio Pro for disc menu presentation.
I tried Aperture 1+2 and found both very complicated. And – 2's free download rebuilt my library from 1 and then required me to buy 2 in order to retrieve old projects.
My questions:
Does Aperture 3 play well with prior versions? What's your opinion? Is it a good collective substitute for other tools I'm now using? In video editing what can it NOT do in relation to Final Cut Pro?
Any further links on research would be good too. Thank you!
~ Roger D.
I downloaded Aperture 3 today and played with it. I did not recognize a big difference in speed. Sometimes I had the feeling it was faster in some tasks….but the brushes as an example loaded from time to time really slow. The results of the brushes are very nice if you know what you are doing. I worked with lightroom 1 and 2 as well. But finally decided to go with Aperture 2, because I prefer the overall appearance. Aperture 3 now has the tools I missed all the time. I really would like to purchase it. But I will wait. I want to try Lightroom 3 first. The reason: Aperture 3 crashed. One time. And it did not properly work with every effect I wanted to ad. And to be honest that sucks. It has great potential. I like the way how I can browse my images and share them so easy with others thanks to Aperture. But this is version 3 and not version 1.0 That Aperture 3 crashes is a bad joke. I am a big fan of Apple. I own many Apple products and believe in their way of doing things. But from time to time they doing it not right. They really should fix the problems with stability fast. If they are fixed Aperture 3 will be a great product and I think I will enjoy using it.
PS: I am using Aperture 3 on a very fast system. A Mac Pro Nehalem with 2,93 Ghz and 8 GB ram. So it should be fast enough. That the brushes need that much time is mainly a problem of the software I think.
Best Wishes
Benjamin
I would love to see some presets from Chase. I know I would buy a preset package from you … so there you go
Have been using it and I love it!!!!
Much faster at importing, thumbnails, browsing… and the new enhancements are awesome!!!
Thanks Chase for the heads up!
You sold at least a trial run for me on this one!
I downloading it RIGHT NOW
Didn't know this was coming out – has made my day!!
@Francesco B We are running it on a 8x 2.66 GHz, with 32GB of RAM
@David Yes, you still have to boot into a 64bit kernel, by holding the 6 & 4 at startup.. There are still extensions that *most* systems are running that are 32 bit only. You can boot into 64 and see what doesn't work, or you can go into your system profiler and under software/extensions, it will tell you which ones are 64bit ready.
Chase, if I recall you've used aperture since the beginning of it's release. I'm not sure if you're sponsored by apple or not, but I was always curious as to why you chose this particular software over lightroom or Capture One, etc. I tried aperture when it first came out and it was slow as a dog. This was on a MacPro 9gb Ram, Raid Sata working drive, bla bla. Lightroom had also just come out and was alot faster and did more, plus seamlessly integrated with photoshop. Now that it's been a few years and both lightroom and aperture have had their growing pains, which software would you pick? Unbiased opinion please. I'm considering trying aperture again, but I don't have the time to redo my workflow that's taken me along time to perfect.
Some have asked how it runs on something other than a Mac Pro that is bulked out (not that there exists a Mac Pro that isn't bulked)….
I installed A3 on my Macbook Pro with 4GB RAM and 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo….unfortunately, A3 is quite slow.
I really love the look of these new features in A3, I want to use it, but not at these speeds.
With just a little processing (I only loaded 6 RAW images in the library) my CPU is bogged down and my fan kicks into gear.
Brush adjustments cannot keep up with my movement, it lags behind.
I have read that others are having the same issues, and I am wondering if it is only those that are using a Mac with specs similar to mine.
Just my thoughts….though from the looks of it, if you have the power, this App rocks!
Aperture 3 allows you to organize large photo libraries with even more flexibility using Projects and the new Faces and Places.The next major release of its powerful photo editing and management software, with over 200 new features including.
nintendo ds r4 revolution
Chase,
In your video on the apple site you talk about your presents…. I was wondering if you would like to share those setting with us in detail?
It would be cool to give them a try
Man they made you sound like the guys in the Apple videos. Lr has adjustable brushes too, and it's only Lr 2.0. Wait till they launch Lr 3.0! It's going to have layers and masks, and … umm. Nah, I'm just making things up. I use Lr.
Yikes 64 bit processing.. Monsterous
I wouldn't pay 200 bucks for this… Maybe 100 bucks.
i'll see what i can do about preset sharing at some point in the future – totally swamped right now. but very cool concept. perhaps some community preset sharing all-round!?
lots of good conversation here.
regarding speeds – we are using top of the line macpros, a distinct advantage with any photo or video software. and regarding video, we've run all sorts of video files direct into A3 with good results from a variety of cameras.
Dartanyon, Chase,
thank you for your answers. I'm going back home on Sunday and I'll try Aperture 3 on my iMac (Aperture 2 runs absolutely fine on it) and see if it works. I really hope so..
re: preset sharing
I think it's pretty cool, with the only problem being some people "stealing" presets and selling them somewhere else online as "preset packages". A while ago a friend of mine told me something like that happened with Lightroom, so I guess it could happen with Aperture 3 as well, but the concept is very cool indeed…
Crash
I have an iMac 27 (brand new), with aperture 2 working great, installed aperture 3, and now when I start it, it bounces on the application dock, then just closes/disappears — any ideas guys?
I don't know much bout these sorts, but I'd say it sounds like an uninstall reinstall should do you right.
Ahhh, The Aperture /Lightroom debate! I am a big fan of lightroom. The Print Module in Lightroom is fantastic, the intuitive layout of adjustment and editing tools, and the friendly, well thought out layout of Lightrom makes it a winner. Check out the Lightroom Beta 3 version for even better functionality. Avalable until April 30th.
I love Mac but for the photgrapher I find Adobe kills it !!
Aperture is something I would buy if it had a Graduated Filter as in light room.It does seem to run faster
on my IMAC then Lightroom
Just started using A3 (was using A2, but switched to LR2 for the adjustment brushes) and I can say that the A3 adjustment brushes KILL LR's brushes. Especially the retouch, clone which is so much better as a brush than dragging circles around. Also, the ability to erase and feather the brush after the fact is awesome. Second, A3 has CURVES! Like, real, photoshop style curves. AND, you can STACK the adjustments. For example, add multiple curves to really tweak the image. This is HUGE, especially when combined with the ability to preset. I've already been able to convert a number of Boutwell's Totally Rad Actions into A3 presets, something that is impossible in LR (just see his new LR presets to get a glimpse of the limitations of that software), if for not other reason that because it lacks the ability to use curves and stack adjustments. The only things I miss are the gradient filters for exposure and the ability to convert to .DNG upon import (unless I'm missing something). So I'm still using LR2 to import, convert to .DNG, backup and create my folder hierarchy, and then I just import the .DNG RAW files into A3 as referenced images. My one complaint for now is that it CRASHES when I get too happy with the retouch brush. HOpefull this bug will be out with the first update.
Hey Chase, what camera are you tethering with? Our 1DS Mark III is not supported it would appear. Currently use LR but was looking at C1 because of tethering support and layout support.
I mean, if Bibble even supports tethering….
Hey Chase, could you give your us a few of your own Adjustment Presets as a free download here? Would be fantastic.
Hey Chase (and others). We have just tried the A3 trial, hoping that it would support Canon 5Dii tethering. After reading all the comments from numerous blogs we tried tethering. EOS Utility(disk comes with the camera)works with tethering but that interface is awful. However, we then opened A3 and were able to get it to automatically download a shot right after firing, but each image goes into a new unnamed Project folder. The process seems to be to get EOS U to send the file to a watched folder, and to get A3 to then bring the file in from that watched folder. The only issue(and its a big one) is that you end up with a gazillion new Untitled Project folders. This might be a new line for someone to follow to try to get the tethering to work in A3, as we are very close to making it a reality. Apple/Canon, how hard can this be, really?
thanks chase, i've been more of a lightroom kinda guy, so when everyone started going nuts over aperture 3.0 i didn't know what to think. just watching your video and seeing how easily the adjustment brushes work was enough for me. any tool that can make my life easier but also produce images faster is a great fit for me.
http://www.shawntakesfotos.com
installed the trial version, everything seems to be running very smoothly. I'm using a 2009 iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66Ghz, 4Gb Ram.
It's faster than I thought, no crashes to report, Brushes works fast enough, plugins integration seems perfect, and I don't even have Snow Leopard installed.
I'm going to use it and get to know it better, but I'm confident I'm going to buy it pretty soon (though I think it'd be better to upgrade to Snow Leopard first).
Can't way for my upgrade disk to come in the mail!
Software shows its true colors on an 'average' computer, not a maxed out mega box. Anything will (well, should) run good on an octa with 32GB of ram, but when software runs like garbage on half-decent iMac or PC, it is a result of poor programming, not because the user isn't "pro" enough to afford the absolute best.
Lightroom, for this reason, has some substantial issues. It is extremely buggy (at least 2.5 was with dual screens), and a lot of things were extremely buggy… hopefully aperture 3.0 will up the performance a few notches, and maybe even surpass lightroom, although it is still lagging in the feature department.
Aperture 3 conceptually is really cool. I have been desperate for a program to smoothly combine video from my DSLR and my RAW files. It seems Aperture isn't quite there yet. It freezes many times. I am a Lightroom user previously but was willing to switch as it seems Aperture 3 really fits my workflow but as a pro I can't until they fix the bugs. Hope they make a patch soon as looking on the boards I am not alone. Great blog btw Chase I check it all the time.
Other than the slower than syrup in the winter updates when using brush tools (any of them) the need to restart the app after using plug ins to see the changes and general crashing of the entire system when using the app it is totally better that A2 <_
@chasejarvis — you ever consider selling your presents for A3? It would be great to have similar presets to that of your iPhone app as well as some other great ones you use!
@ Anonymous: I totally agree with the thought, that the software should perform good and speedy even on an midrange iMac or a 13 inch Macbook Pro as an example. Apple really has to work on Aperture 3.
Besides of crashes that shut the app down it crashes my Mac Pro, too. I have to restart. And for the fun of it…some of my preview-images are after the update shishkebap. They are just a weird ensamble of colored lines. Nice work Apple.
I am really surprised that Apple did not fix that before they start selling the software. That is really bad. I like Aperture. Always did. But I am shaking my head, because Apple seems not to learn the lesson. You can not sell a product with this problems…ok, Microsoft could but come on Apple. You used to be different :-/
My only complaint is the lack of support of Sony Cameras, specially the A850, If you are a Sony user please fill the form at the following link http://www.apple.com/feedback/aperture.html and ask for support.
I would really want to see more examples of your workflow using Aperture, a software that change the way I do work
Question to Chase or anyone,
Chase how r you backing up your files when in the studio? I'm sure on location you have external HD's to use.. But once back in the office whats the process of adding them to your main library, also do you have just one big ass library.
Maybe you can give us look at your project setup in aperture.
@ Rob http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2006/12/important-storage-and-backup-solutions.html
@ Dartanyon, do you guys use the reference mode in Aperture or do you store everything in the Aperture library and manage the backup from there?
Hello People,
I just started using Aperture today. I'm trying to get a feel on how people are using it. If I'm taking picture on location should I make a library on my external Drive, and when I return home import that library into the main library?
If so then my main library on my server will be a master holding all my projects in on single library… Is that Right? or do you created many library on your sever for every project?
I'm just trying to get a workflow… yes I'm coming from a PC.. LOL
Rob,
Creating a library on a hard drive for your location shooting is a very good plan. When you get back to your office the decision whether to merge the location library with your main library is based on a couple of variables.
The most important is whether you're storing your main library on a networked server or on a hard drive. If it's on a hard drive, you can just plug in your computer and work on your library across your USB or Firewire. You can just merge your location library with your main, and off to work you go.
If you're using a networked server, you won't be able to work on your library across the network if it's stored on the server. You'll have to copy the library you want to work on to your computer's hard drive, work on the images, then copy it back to the server. In this case, you'll not want to store all of your images on this library because it will take a bit of time to copy it back and fourth off of the server. Smaller libraries based on shoot, year, etc. might be a better bet.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Chase, thanks for your insights on A3. I'm kinda curious how Aperture and PhotoShop are integrated in your workflow. Do you only use PS for major effects editing? Does everything go through Aperture first?
Aperture 3 has been nothing but problems for me. Perhaps it works great on machines that are brand new, the most powerful, etc., but forget using it on an iMac IMHO.
I'm taking the disc back to the store tomorrow.
After a couple more days using Aperture 3 I am able to give a pretty clear impression.
This programm is crap. Sorry, if I use these hard words, but I cannot express myself in a different way. Because I am really angry about Apple.
1. The programm crashes on a constant base.
2. Aperture 3 is slow and I have a very fast
machine. So bad programming.
3. That is to most bs-thing I ever can imagine. Aperture 3 has a very different interpretation of my image-changes. So many images were changed by Aperture 3 without my permission after importing. Funny, a lot of artowork I spend hours and days to produce now has a unwanted cast to red. Nice done Apple.
I could not believe that I ever would write something like that but people…do yourself a favor and avoid this piece of garbage for your own good and the good of your images.
Apple…shame on you…
PS: I have images to prove the color cast problem. So I really do not make that up ^^
@Scott,
Thank for the info.. I have the same library on MBP & my mac mini. So I can use the MBP in the filed and just export that project over to the mini. That way I have two copies of the same library on two different system, and use my drobo to backup the mac mini library.
thanks again for the help
Chase,
Should I get Aperture 3 or should I wait and get Lightroom 3?
Hmmm, sweet! Software like I always dreamed it could be. thanks Apple
I’m ploughing my way through the 900 page manual, and liking every feature I find.
Shame there are folks out there who find it doesn’t run to their liking – I wonder what the problem is…
Hey so I have aperature3 on my macbook pro. I am selling it to get a Imac for the house. I just upgraded aperature3. Is there anyway to deactivate it on the macbook and activate it on a new Imac when I get it? Thanks!
@ Rob, You can just install Aperture on the new machine after deleting it from the old machine. No need to deactivate it. It’s looking for concurrent uses, so as long as it’s deleted from the laptop, that will never happen. And you’ll be all set on the new iMac.
Hey,
I recently purchased Apeture 3 and am loving it, however i recently did a few Monochrome photo shoots and have imported the photos into Apeture, now the photos have shown in colour, i have tried to work out the problem my self but…well no luck so far…:( anyone able to help me out?
Do you mean you shot with the monochromatic setting in your CAMERA? It’s hard to tell what your issue is without knowing what equipment/settings you used.
I used Aperture since it first came out, but let’s be honest, version 3 has been SUPER BUGGY since it was RUSHED PREMATURELY to market. Even many months after its release, it’s still SUPER unstable. In fact, It CRASHES NUMEROUS TIMES when shooting TETHERED, which is SUPER EMBARRASSING, especially when the client has to watch you FORCE QUIT and RESTART the application five times during a shoot. It’s super annoying. I don’t have an alternative, which is why I started shooting non-tethered, because the problems outweigh the convenience of having the images show up on my MacBook Pro. I just simply cannot have it freeze every ten captures. Come on.
What is the ChaseJarvis house’s set list for getting 5D movies imported into Aperture 3 into FCP? iMovie makes it drag and drop simple. Is the FCP workflow export, mpegstreamclip, convert, place in file folder, import into FCP?
Many thanks for your suggestion on this!
You’ve got the basic jist of it. When we import things into Aperture, we leave them in folders, ie the files are NOT stored in the Aperture library. Since we do that we can just point compressor [mpegstreamclip] at the folder and transcode ProRES files for use in FCP.
Chase, do you knwo if the following process is possible in A3?
- shoot tethered
- Have the image copy to TWO folders
- One as a back up
- The other as the working file displayed on screen
- And as the copy imports to the display, automatically apply a preset/action (Nik software)
- All in fullscreen, with the copy dumping in the background (i.e. no onscreen file progress window etc)
Are you able to give a bit more of run down on your tethered shooting and what goes on in the 1490 box?
Cheers
M
Thank for the info.. I have the same library on MBP & my mac mini. So I can use the MBP in the filed and just export that project over to the mini. That way I have two copies of the same library on two different system, and use my drobo to backup the mac mini library.
thanks again for the help
Lightroom is cool but Aperture 3 Rocks !!!