Operation Manual

What Are Folders?
In Aperture, you use folders to organize projects and albums. For example, you can import
images into projects and then place the projects in folders based on photo type or location.
If you shoot multiple projects for the same client, you can create a folder that holds the
client’s individual projects.
These folders organize
projects based on type.
Folders contain only albums, projects, and other folders. They don’t contain masters or
versions.
What Is the Library?
The Aperture library tracks every project, album, folder, master, and version, no matter
whether the images are stored in the Aperture Library file or in other hard disk locations.
Aperture automatically creates a library file in the Pictures folder the first time you open
Aperture. You can import images into the library or have Aperture access them from
other locations on different hard disks. The library tracks all your images and the
information recorded about them, as well as information about where backup files are
stored. You can access the library by clicking the Library icon at the top of the Library
inspector.
You can change the location of the library file to a different folder or a different disk. You
specify where the library should be located using the Preferences window. For more
information about working with multiple library files in Aperture, see Working with Library
Files.
You can also transfer libraries from other Aperture systems and merge them with the
library on your local Aperture system. All links between versions and their masters are
maintained when projects are transferred. This is particularly useful if you use a portable
computer when on location or away from your studio, and a workstation at your studio.
For more information about merging libraries, see Merging Libraries.
118 Chapter 3 Working with the Aperture Library