Aperture import automator!

[ibogost]

Like many of you, I've been using "Eoin's Hack" to import the M8's DNG files into Aperture. But I've been frustrated with how many steps it takes to get M8 files into the software. SD Card -> Disk -> Adobe RAW Converter -> Disk -> Aperture has been my PRE-workflow workflow, and that's sort of crazy.

So, today I whipped up an Apple Automator workflow to do it for me. I think it's working pretty well, so I'm ready to ask for volunteers to test the thing. Here's how it works:

(1) Open the M8 Aperture Importer app
(2) Choose your SD card in the dialog box
(3) Watch your files import into Aperture

You can download the gadget here (156k DMG). Remember this is still beta software, so don't use it on anything important (although there's no way your original files will ever be deleted). Plese also read the Readme in the Disk Image before using -- there's some important prereqs in there. Let me know how it goes...

You even get a pretty icon to make the app visible on your desktop

[holgerf]

@Ion

That’s a great idea! I just made a short test, it worked fine so far - even on a German system!

I’l try more during weekend and let you know.

Thanks so far
Holger

[guy_mancuso]

Ian great idea but the link is not working for me

[ibogost]

Guy -- try it again; I fixed the link above (or just try this one)

[guy_mancuso]

Thanks Ian that worked. i will test it for you this weekend. Thanks for thinking of us, you just gotta love this forum. Such great folks here

[LJL]

Ian,
Just gave it a quick test. Works nicely. Great job, and thanks for automating this.

O.K., one question.....why are there files in the trash? I read your "readme" doc and saw this, and noticed there are converted files in the trash. Is this because you create a folder that copies the files from the source, runs the conversion in place and then imports them into Aperture while discarding the files in the temporary folder?

This seems to work fine. Now, for folks that have placed firmware v 1.091 onto their cameras, after doing the "upgrade" that Eoin mentioned in another thread that reflects the changes to the matrix readings, this is kicking out some nice images with almost no work.

Thanks again. I am also starting to think aobut some variations, like importing only the link to the image from another folder, but because of the conversion, not sure that will work. So this version will allow you to have untouched originals someplace, plus converted and imported DNG files in Apeture.

LJ

[iomatic]

What, no black M8???



Thanks, will test tonight at home.

[ibogost]

Originally Posted by iomatic

What, no black M8???

Haha. I knew someone would ask. My M8 is black too, but I thought the silver stood out better on Aperture's black lens icon.

[ibogost]

Originally Posted by LJL

O.K., one question.....why are there files in the trash? I read your "readme" doc and saw this, and noticed there are converted files in the trash. Is this because you create a folder that copies the files from the source, runs the conversion in place and then imports them into Aperture while discarding the files in the temporary folder?

LJ -- Right, you've got it. The app runs the DNG Converter on the chosen files/folders and dumps the results in a temp folder. Then when Aperture imports, I have it set to delete the files it imports. That's why they end up in the trash.

I thought about preserving the DNG converted files, but the real experience I was looking for here was automation over archival. It's certainly possible to modify the app to keep the files the DNG Converter outputs, if that turns out to be important. I assumed that most folks would want to keep the original M8 DNG's, if anything, so they could run them through C1 later, or whatever.

[guy_mancuso]

For me i want them untouched also to go on a external drive

[LJL]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

For me i want them untouched also to go on a external drive

Guy,
For this I handle that myself. I usually create a folder on whatever drive I want the originals sent. Then when I download from the SD, I do it to that folder. So you now have a folder of whatever came off your cards. Then you point Ian's Automator at that folder and it sucks them into Aperture, leaving the originals in the folder for you to archive, copy somepalce else, use with C1 or anything else.

LJ

[ibogost]

Right, that was exactly the scenario I had in mind. You don't have to point the importer at the SD card -- you can have it import from any folder, or you can select files individually. Just take note that it traverses the folder recursively, converting and importing any files it finds therein.

[LJL]

Originally Posted by ibogost

LJ -- Right, you've got it. The app runs the DNG Converter on the chosen files/folders and dumps the results in a temp folder. Then when Aperture imports, I have it set to delete the files it imports. That's why they end up in the trash.

I thought about preserving the DNG converted files, but the real experience I was looking for here was automation over archival. It's certainly possible to modify the app to keep the files the DNG Converter outputs, if that turns out to be important. I assumed that most folks would want to keep the original M8 DNG's, if anything, so they could run them through C1 later, or whatever.

Ian,
Completely understand that part, and honestly that is a nice way to keep from having too many copies in unknown states all over the place. The DNG conversion is only needed for Aperture, so no need to keep extra copies of converted files, as you can always just convert from the originals again if and when needed.

At some point, we should think about sharing some of our archiving workflows just as some of the processing workflows are being done now. The sheer numbers of files and copies of things is growing exponentially right now. (I just finished cleaning up 1.4TB on one RAID 5 drive, and have another 2TB of storage on the way for this season's shooting.)

Nice thing about Aperture is that it keeps the total file sizes small, yet you can have many different versions. Add a Vault and your are pretty well backed up on things you work on, plus you still have the originals in another place.

LJ

[guy_mancuso]

Okay I like that better . That way there secure on the external like i normally would do anyway.

[msr]

I am unable to download.
I am getting an error message that says, " it can’t find the server “bcvrf.yahoo.com”".

[ibogost]

Originally Posted by msr

I am unable to download.
I am getting an error message that says, " it can’t find the server “bcvrf.yahoo.com”".

Ok, so apparently Yahoo briefcase wasn't such a great place to put this. It seems to reset the links occasionally. I'm looking for a replacement...

(update: here's a new link, thanks to Guy. Still trying to figure out how to edit my original post to add the new link. The edit button disappeared)

[guy_mancuso]

Works from folders or SD cards. Nice little program

[LJL]

Originally Posted by ibogost

Ok, so apparently Yahoo briefcase wasn't such a great place to put this. It seems to reset the links occasionally. I'm looking for a replacement...

Ian,
You might want to give "YouSendIt" a try. Guy, you might be able to help Ian set that part up as you have so successfully done with the firmware update before

LJ

[LJL]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

Works from folders or SD cards. Nice little program

Yeah....this makes getting stuff into Aperture pretty painless. You can even just select the specific files you want, which is also very nice, allowing you to cull a bit on the fly.

Suggested overall workflow for me will include a trip through PhotoMechanic or something similar to rename the files first (I like to tack the date onto the front), and cull things to discard the obvious bad shots. Then point the Automator at that folder and go get your self a glass of wine. Come back and everything is ready to rock in Aperture.

So tell me why Apple is having such a head up its butt moment over this?

LJ

[guy_mancuso]

heck I have it i will take care of it for you Ian , give me minute to do that. Guy