Aperture libraries and the MAC passport, or just MAC

**Isa Luna** · 09-09-2012, 07:58 AM

Hi folks - I recently purchased the "my passport" at the apple store to archive all my photo files. I never used this before & am a little frustrated now because now that i have put it in use, I have files both on my laptop and on the passport that are "there but not there". I cannot export, modify, or do anything except look at the file (thanks gods some not all) in Aperture.

Has anyone experienced this and how did you solve it?

Thanks !

L.

**mbrager** · 09-09-2012, 07:50 PM

If I'm not mistaken, you may have set up your new Passport hard drive to function as Time Machine, which backs up previous points from your hard drive in case your drive fails, or you lose crucial information. As I understand it, this is not the same as a back up for your photo files, which would have to be copied over to the drive periodically to keep them updated as you add new files. That would be why you can't "see" your files on the Passport, as you can on your hard drive. If your Passport is large enough, you can partition it so that a part is for Time Machine, and another part is for your archived files. Otherwise you can usually simply add an additional hard drive for your archives. If you go to the Apple Store and speak with a Genius, they will usually sort it out for you correctly. Hope this helps.

**Barefoot** · 09-18-2012, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by mbrager

...you may have set up your new Passport hard drive to function as Time Machine, which backs up previous points from your hard drive in case your drive fails, or you lose crucial information.

I've just started to use Time Machine myself. Before that, it was sort of hit and miss. Some weeks back-ups were made, and then maybe not. I'd loose track of time and maybe not get the job done as often as I should. With Time Machine it's ok if I forget 'cause TM's going to do it for me every hour. Painless and highly recommended.

**Marko** · 09-19-2012, 09:50 AM

I hear ya. my wife has just started using iphoto/imovie on a mac and she often asks for help. So i try to help but i keep having the same question as you.
Where do the friggen files live? On a windows machine there is a clear tree structure to find any file. I am guessing you are experiencing the same thing with aperture. From what i have heard it acts in a similar way to iphoto. 100% not intuitive for a windows person imo. It takes relearning to use it.

I agree with time machine - fab tool for back-up/archiving.

Originally Posted by Isa Luna

Hi folks - I recently purchased the "my passport" at the apple store to archive all my photo files. I never used this before & am a little frustrated now because now that i have put it in use, I have files both on my laptop and on the passport that are "there but not there". I cannot export, modify, or do anything except look at the file (thanks gods some not all) in Aperture.

Has anyone experienced this and how did you solve it?

Thanks !

L.

**Isa Luna** · 09-19-2012, 07:41 PM

Thanks ! I basically chose to use the gadget (lets call it that for now) to store files.. set up so I had more flexibilty to use with some other gadget or not, mac only or both mac and pc. I guess I need to get my own private genius here to fix it

I work with both pc and mac - the two worlds sometimes get fuzzy.

**asnow** · 09-19-2012, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Marko

I hear ya. my wife has just started using iphoto/imovie on a mac and she often asks for help. So i try to help but i keep having the same question as you.
Where do the friggen files live? On a windows machine there is a clear tree structure to find any file. I am guessing you are experiencing the same thing with aperture. From what i have heard it acts in a similar way to iphoto. 100% not intuitive for a windows person imo. It takes relearning to use it.

I agree with time machine - fab tool for back-up/archiving.

I'm a windows user and have never used Aperture or iPhoto but I can take an educated guess as to why you can't find the files.

It is my understanding that these two programs manage the files for you. It has a library (actually like a database) of the images. So instead of actually seeing the individual images you will only be able to see the container file ie the library/database file.

I could be completely wrong with this, but that is my best guess.