The update you’ve all been waiting for is finally done. It grew from 10 tips to 15 (and ballooned from 35 pages to nearly 60!)—and in fact one obsolete tip was deleted, meaning this eBook has 6 entirely new tips, as well as 9 updated ones, for Aperture 3! The price is $19.97

From the eBook’s introduction:

I wrote the following 15 Tips to share a deeper knowledge and understanding of the power of Aperture’s file management offerings. Understanding these advanced options and controls can help you manage your files as your library grows, help you keep track of those tens of thousands of photographs, and help you solve problems that can be created by managing multiple libraries across multiple computers with multiple workflows. If you’re ready to make the move to “Aperture Power User”, this eBook is for you.

This eBook is nearly 60 pages of advanced tips and step-by-steps, including screenshots and break-out bonus tips, to take you to the next level in Aperture. Here are the topics covered:

Tip #0 - Managed vs. Referenced Master Files (A Primer)

A basic explanation of the two choices you have for file management in Aperture; Managed and Referenced. This chapter explains the advantages and disadvantages of both, and can help you decide which workflow is best for you.

Tip #1 – Naming and Sorting Projects in Aperture

When you import photos into Aperture, no matter which system you use, you need to stay organized in Aperture itself. This chapter explains the difference between Folders, Projects and Albums, and offers many suggestions on how to use them—including samples from my own personal workflow.

Tip #2 - Understanding Aperture File Names

Every file in Aperture has both a Master and a Version name. This chapter explains what the difference is, and how and when to change either one (or not to).

Tip #3 – Renaming Files on Import

An oft-overlooked feature in Aperture is the ability to rename files as they are imported, which can be critical to a successful long-term workflow. This chapter introduces renaming and shows you how.

Tip #4 – Making Your Own “Rename On Import” Custom Preset

The real power in renaming on import is customizing that renaming scheme to meet your own needs. This chapter shows how to set up your own preset, and I walk you through how I have mine set up (it’s a long name!) and why I choose the naming elements I do, and why they are in the order they are in.

Tip #5 – Organizing Master Files in the Finder

If you’re working referenced, you need to put those files somewhere. This chapter explains how Aperture can organize your files in the Finder, including the choices it offers and suggestions on how to come up with a system that makes sense for you.

Tip #6 – Embedding Critical Metadata on Import

Embedding copyright and more into your files is critical if you’re going to share your files on the web or with clients. This chapter starts with the basics of Metadata embedding, and explains the best time to do it (hint: on import!).

Tip #7 – Making Your Own Metadata Preset

Aperture 3 has a whole new Metadata preset manager, and this tip explains how to use it. This is the tip that will save you time on every import and ensure that your photos are never without that critical copyright data embedded in them.

Tip #8 – Correcting Mismatched Time Zones  NEW!

If you travel, you’ve probably forgotten to reset the clock on your camera. This tip explains not only how to use the built-in time zone correction tools, but how to effectively use them even when the “corrected” time zones still don’t seem quite right.

Tip #9 – Handling Mismatched Time-Synced Cameras

If you shoot with one camera, accurate time-stamping is important. If you work with multiple cameras, it’s absolutely critical. This chapter explains how to correct for mismatched cameras and offers some very innovative ways to get your photos perfectly in sync, long after the shoot is over.

Tip #10 – Importing Video, Audio and Flagged (Oh My!)  NEW!

Aperture 3 introduced the ability to import and manage video and audio files, as well as taking advantage of your camera’s built-in file locking/flagging features. This chapter covers these options extensively and suggests some workarounds when importing those critical locked/flagged photos, then going back to the card to get the rest.

Tip #11 – Working with RAW+JPEG Pairs  NEW!

Aperture has always handled a RAW+JPEG workflow, but Aperture 3 takes it to the next level with an awesome new import setting. This chapter explains how to best take advantage of this very powerful new tool, and offers some very compelling reasons to consider a RAW+JPEG workflow again.

Tip #12 – Backing Up on Import  NEW!

If you store your Masters as referenced, then you already know that they aren’t backed up in the File Vault. A new feature in Aperture 3 makes creating a second copy of your critical Master files easy—at the time of import.

Tip #13 – Reconnecting Missing Files

No matter how diligent and organized you are, chances are you’ll eventually hit that dreaded “missing file” icon. This chapter offers many suggestions on how to reconnect those files and get back on track.

Tip #14 – Rejected Photos Hogging Hard Disk Space?  NEW!

At some point your Aperture library seem excessively large, and you’ll want to trim it down a little (or a lot!). This chapter offers some innovative tips on how to keep on top of all those rejected photos, videos and more.

Tip #15 – Preview Size… How Big is Yours?  NEW!

Size matters… especially if you’re interested in saving space! Following on the theme of the previous tip, this chapter will get you thinking about what Preview size really is needed in your workflow, and help you decide how best to configure your library.

To purchase the eBook, click the buttons below. The price is $19.97.

Bought the eBook? Write a review! Let other readers know what you think of this eBook by posting a comment below… thanks!

-Joseph @ApertureExpert

This trailer is for the “What’s New in Aperture 3” video I created exclusively for MacCreate. Watch the trailer, buy the full 2-1/2 training video from MacCreate!

This first collection of Adjustment Presets include two categories; Looks and Gradients. Nearly every preset involves a customized mask, which when applied should provide a look that isn’t necessarily possible to attain in Aperture alone. These masks have been customized outside of Aperture, but included in the preset to save you from the trouble. The end result is a collection of effects that you will hopefully find unique, fun, and flexible! The price is $12.97

Note: These customs masks were created on Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EOS 1Ds Mk III files, both of which are 5616 × 3744 (21.0 MP) in size. This means that most of these masks should apply just fine on anything smaller, however if you have a larger resolution file, they may not. If you are working with a camera of higher resolution, please contact me directly and I’d love to adjust these presets to work with your camera, if you can provide a sample RAW file.

Looks

A variety of “looks” are included; a term borrowed from the film color grading industry. And in fact a few of these looks are inspired by popular movies you likely have seen, including Dark & Green and Dry & Yellow. The others are Simple Film, Desaturated Film (which depending on the image applied to, can have a “bleach bypass” effect), Hard Grain Film, Dirty Film, Dreamy and Dream with Edge Blast, for a total of eight customized treatments for your photographs.

These effects are not a simple combination of Adjustments, but many contain masks generated outside of Aperture to provide a totally unique look. Additionally, these adjustments can be further modified to suit the photo it’s been applied to—and mostly likely will benefit from some tweaking to get the most out of them!

Here are a few examples; more can be seen here.

Original PhotoDesaturated Film LookDark & Green Movie Look

Gradients

The gradient masks in this preset pack are applied to the Tint adjustment, designed to add a gradated tint to the sky. Because the horizon line could be anywhere in the photo, and you may want to apply a more or less intense gradient, there are a multiple intensities designed for multiple horizon positions included in the pack. Further, each variation is included as both Horizontal (landscape) and Vertical (portrait) orientation. All told, there are 16 to 20 variations for each orientation for a total of 36 gradients included in this preset pack!

These can be applied and used as-is, however the real power of these gradients is in brushing the mask away using the eraser brush with Edge Detection. Adjusting the base image (or brushing in areas of adjustment!) to combine with the tint-shift can provide some totally unique results.

Here are a few examples; more can be seen here.

Original PhotoGradient Tint and Hard Grain Film Look applied with Brushed Mask (see below)Close-up of Partially Painted Mask

To purchase the preset pack, click the buttons below. The price is $12.97

Update on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 8:39 PM by Joseph Linaschke

I recently posted a few more sample results here.

The newest eBook from ApertureExpert.com, titled “In-Depth Getting Started with Aperture 3” is complete! If you’re new to Aperture and serious about getting started, or even an experienced user who’s not sure if you started off on the right foot, this eBook is for you. More information, four entirely new chapters and a cleaned-up layout means this eBook has more than doubled in size since the previous version to 126 pages of detailed step-by-step guides on importing, rating, adding keywords, editing and sharing your photos! The price is $24.97.

From the eBook’s introduction…

Over many years of working with Aperture, and helping other people with Aperture, I’ve noticed one very common trend—no matter how much they love Aperture now, most people had a hard time getting started. This guide is designed to get you on your way. It doesn’t really matter too much where you’re coming from to use this guide; be it from any other photo management application or none at all. This guide aims to get you moving efficiently, and possibly more importantly, to set the stage for a lot more learning. There are loads of free videos on apple.com that show you the basic of basics—I’m more interested in getting you started with a very solid understanding of what your choices are, and preparing you for a long-term relationship with Aperture. So while some of the basic instructions like “Importing Your First Photos” takes up a seemingly bizarre 11 pages, after reading it you’ll truly understand what’s happening to your photos and what options you have at your disposal—whether you choose to use them or not is up to you, but you’ll be making an educated decision.

The book is 126 pages of pages of detailed education and step-by-steps, including screenshots and break-out bonus tips, to help you get the best start possible in Aperture. Here are the topics covered: