aperture
Latest
FlickrExport for Aperture 1.0
Fraser Speirs was happy to announce this morning the official 1.0 release of his FlickrExport for Aperture plugin, which provides a direct conduit for your works of art to the heavenly nirvana of Flickr. I don't own Aperture, but the plugin seems to have the same UI and functionality as his #1 smash hit: FlickrExport for iPhoto (though it should be noted that on his product page, Frasier makes it clear that the existence of a feature in one of the plugins does not necessitate its existence in the other). Pricing for the Aperture plugin is $26.25 USD (or £14), and a cross-grades from the iPhoto plugin can be had for 50% off by using your FlickrExport for iPhoto serial number as a coupon code. Clever, Mr. Speirs.Demos of both plugins are of course offered, and Apple (finally!) released a 30-day test drive of Aperture last month, so you really have no excuse for not checking these bad boys out. I was a user of the iPhoto plugin since the early days, and I gladly dropped the cash for a license.
Inside Aperture
Inside Aperture is the latest addition to O'Reilly Digital Media covering, you guessed it, all things Aperture. Blogs, podcasts, and articles about Aperture as well as workflows will be the bread and butter of this site. If Aperture is a vital part of your workflow, or if you just want more info about the app, Inside Aperture is the place for you.[via James Duncan Davidson]
Aperture 1.5.1
First Apple gives it away (for 30 days) and now they are updating it! That's right, Aperture 1.5.1 is now available from Apple's website. What does it do, you ask? Straight from Apple, ' Aperture 1.5.1 addresses numerous issues related to overall reliability and performance in all areas of the application.'If you crave more details check out the the KB article that lists each of the 100, or so, improvements in 1.5.1.
Aperture 30 day test drive
I'm not a very good photographer, but I take lots of digital pictures which is why I was interested in checking out Aperture, but I didn't want to plunk down $299. Apple has heard my silent pleas and made a 30 day 'test drive' available for all to download.It is available in English, French, German, or Japanese. All features are enabled for 30 days, but the trial does not include the sample images that are available retail version.At the moment the trial page isn't working for me, but I am sure Apple's trained web professionals will get that all sorted out.Thanks, Rob.Update: I was right, they fixed the page quickly. Download away.
Timeature
Apple must be pleased with the Aperture ecosystem that seems to be starting up. People are creating apps that enhance or complement Aperture, which is always a sign of interest in a product.The latest entrant into this market is Timeature. This simple app allows you to edit the date that is associated with a picture in Aperture, a field that is not user editable. Why would you need this? Aperture fills in this field with data for the EXIF information including in the picture it is importing. If the picture doesn't have this information it uses the date of the import, so you can see that some pictures might be incorrectly marked.Timeature is shareware, so if you find it useful cough up some dough.
Fraser Speirs releases FlickrExport updates
Fraser Speirs has released FlickrExport for Aperture 1.0b3 and FlickrExport for iPhoto 2.0.3, both catching up to some changes in the Flickr API. Further, these updates address a few hanging and, in some cases, nasty crashing bugs when uploading or canceling an upload. Fraser has also included a list of known issues to look out for with each update post, especially since FlickrExport for Aperture is still in beta.
Aperture 1.5 now available
We are getting reports that Aperture 1.5, announced earlier this week, is now available via Software Update. It seems the update clocks in at 125MB, so it might take a bit to download.At the time of posting the update was not available on Apple.com.Thanks, Lars.
Aperture 1.5 tidbits
I've been looking at the new Aperture content on Apple's Aperture website and I thought I would bring to your attention a few details that might get overlooked. These aren't earth shattering features, but they are interesting: You can stop, start, and skip pictures in a Aperture slideshow using the Apple remote included with most Intel Macs Improved Applescript and Automator support, which is always a good thing if you are interested in developing an Aperture Export plugin you can get your hands on the Aperture Export SDK, which is available to all Apple Developer Connection members. If you aren't a part of the ADC you can email aperturedeveloper@apple.com The Aperture Flickr plugin was developed by Connected Flow, the makers of the Flickr plugin for iPhoto. Right now it is in beta, but it will cost £14, though users of the Flickr plugin for iPhoto can get it at half price.
Aperture 1.5
Aperture has just hit 1.5, which will be available later this week as a free upgrade for current Aperture users or $299 for the new users. A new, open library system has been added to allow for storage of photos on a number of different media. It also allows for a subset of photos to be stored on your portable, whilst the rest of the library is on a big disk somewhere.The biggest news, at least to me, is that Aperture can now run on all Macs, from mini on up to Mac Pro. Third party plugin support is also very cool. For a full list of new features check out What's new in Aperture 1.5.You can also check out the Quicktour of the new features.
Confirmed: Apple to hold special event on Sept. 25th
It looks like the special event that was rumored to be happening on September 25th, the day before photokina in Germany starts, is a reality. Our friends at Macworld just got an invitation featuring a big old camera lens, which is reminiscant of Aperture's icon. Seems pretty natural that Apple would do an Aperture announcement at one of the largest photography trade shows in existence.
Aperture vs Lightroom
I am solidly in the rank amateur category of photographers, which is why I have never had reason to look into either Aperture or Lightroom. My camera doesn't even shoot in RAW.However, James Duncan Davidson earns his way by shooting photographs and as such has used both Aperture and Lightroom (which is in beta). He compares and contrasts the two, though there is no clear 'winner' in this battle. Aperture is able to handle a huge volume of photos fairly well, but Lightroom's printing options are miles ahead of Aperture's.[via Daring Fireball]
Fraser Speirs: "who wants me to make an ApertureExport?"
Fraser Speirs, creator of the highly useful FlickrExport and other apps, is asking for feedback on his blog as to whether users would be interested in a similar ApertureExport app. He warns that ApertureExport wouldn't be quite as well tied into Aperture as FlickrExport is to iPhoto, and this is due to the current version of Aperture (apparently) lacking a plugin API.Still, if the idea of being able to point at a feature in your own copy of ApertureExport some day and telling your friends "that was my idea!" sounds appealing, head over to Mr. Speirs' post and toss in your $0.02.
Apple offers two free online Aperture seminars
Apple has announced two free online QuickTime seminars covering Aperture, their app for professional photographers. "Aperture: Streamline Your Workflow After the Shoot" is an introduction to the app from Product Marketing Manager Joe Schorr and Technical Marketing Manager Joseph Linaschke of Apple, while "Aperture Advanced" offers "an in-depth look at the first all-in-one post-production tool for photographers".Apple's registration page for these seminars states that they're only available for a limited time, but doesn't mention how limited that time may be. You might have to act now if you don't want to regret later.
Apple updates Aperture and Pro Apps
Apple has updated Aperture to 1.1.2 though they haven't, at the moment, provided any details as to what the update does (at least not on their website).Also lurking in your Software Update panel is the Pro Application Update 2006-01, which ' addresses several issues with underlying frameworks and shared components for Apple's professional applications and is strongly recommended for all users of: Final Cut Studio Final Cut Pro 5.1 Motion 2.1 Soundtrack Pro 1.1 DVD Studio Pro 4.1 Shake 4.1 LiveType 2.1 Compressor 2.1 Apple Qmaster 2.1 Final Cut Express HD 3.5' So get to updating, people!
Aperture Tricks
Aperture Tricks is devoted to, shockingly, tips and tricks for everyone's favorite photography workflow solution made by Apple. If you are obsessed with Aperture news, or just want to get the most bang for your photogenic buck then Aperture Tricks is the place for you.
Ars on Aperture 1.1.1
You may recall that Ars Technica's Dave Girard wasn't a fan of Aperture 1.0. His lengthy review lambasted the product for failing to do the one thing that it claimed it was good at (i.e. RAW support). Now that Aperture 1.1 is out Dave takes a look at how Apple did at improving the application.Dave's verdict is that Apple did an amazing job improving the software, and the lowered price was a very smart move. There is no way I can give justice to his review here, so just head on over and give it a read.
Aperture isn't dead
The last few days have been a real roller coaster for Aperture. Has it been scrapped? Did Apple rush it out the door? Will we ever seen an update for it?Well, today we saw the release of Aperture 1.1.1, and that is a good sign. Continuing on that trend John Gruber, that Daring Fireball, pestered his sources at Apple until they finally told him that none of the engineers on the Aperture team were fired; they all left the project because of lousy management (the manager was fired though).Finally, Maccentral sat down with Kirk Paulsen (the Senior Director of Pro Applications Marketing at Apple) and he assured Maccentral that Aperture is alive and well.So, fear not prosumer/pro photogs, go forth and Aperture!
Aperture and Logic Pro updates
Ladies and gentlemen, start your Software Updaters. Apple has just released Aperture 1.1.1 and Logic Pro 7.2.1.The Aperture update 'addresses several issues related to performance, stability, color correction, and display compatibility and is recommended for all Aperture users.' While the Logic Express is a little meatier.Amongst the fixes are: Unexpected halt of software instrument output Compatibility with Logic 7.1 songs Direct playback of MP3 files
Aperture team gets new blood
Think Secret's revelation Thursday that a number of engineers on Apple's Aperture team have left or been transferred to other projects raised questions about the future of the app.Aperture lovers, take heart. Ex-PeopleSoft developer Blake Seely happily posted today that he is joining the Aperture team as of Monday, stating that he hoped this news would dispel the recent rumors about Aperture. Apparently the Aperture project is getting an injection of new blood. Best of luck to Blake and to the team.
Is Aperture's future in question?
According to Think Secret, it just may be. It looks like the majority of engineers who had been working on Aperture have either left or been reassigned to different projects within the company. Think Secret goes on to claim that the applications development was "...a mess," according to a source, and that developers from Shake and Motion had to be brought in to do a little damage control.I haven't used Aperture, so I can't speak for it's supposed buggieness. It did experience quite a price drop with the 1.1 update, so maybe Apple is eager to move existing copies.
