Operation Manual

Comparing and Rating Images
For those really tough decisions, Aperture allows you to compare and rate a Select image
against close alternates. This is particularly useful when you are trying to choose an image
from a small group of similarly composed images.
For example, choosing the best image from a series of head shots can be difficult. Even
in head shots captured within a short time span, the facial expressions of the subject can
change ever so slightly. By comparing images side by side and rating them, you can more
easily choose among like images.
To compare and rate images
1 Make sure the Browser and Viewer are showing.
2 In the Browser, select the image that appears to be the best.
3 To set this image as the “compare” image, choose View > Main Viewer > Compare (or
press Option-O).
The compare image appears in the Viewer and the Browser with a green border. The next
selected image appears with a white border immediately to the right of the compare
image. If you want to view another image against the compare image, simply select it.
The alternate image you selected appears to the right of the compare image in the Viewer.
The alternate image
has a white border.
The compare image
has a green border.
If you have a second display and want to view each image on a different display, choose
View > Secondary Viewer > Span (or press Option-S).
4 Rate your compare image by doing one of the following:
• To assign the Select rating: Press Option-Backslash (\).
• To increase the compare image’s rating: Press Option–Equal Sign (=).
• To decrease the compare image’s rating: Press Option-Hyphen (-).
The rating appears as an overlay on the compare image.
281Chapter 9 Rating Images