Libraries questions

[dougbraz]

I have referenced files in Aperture 3, with the originals on an external HDD.
However, on my computer, I seem to have two libraries:
One called .../aperture library.aplibrary (45GB in size)and the other called
.../aperture library old.aplibrary (22GB in size)
Is it safe to assume that I can delete the "old" one?
Is there a way to check that the "new" one would have the contents of the "old" one plus -obviously- "new" content?
The "new" one was created when I changed my Mac to a new model.

Basic question I'm sure, but I just don't want to lose any pics unnecessarily thru my own ignorance.
Thanks for any pointers.
Doug

 

[robgendreau]

There is no way to be sure other than by manually checking.

If the structure is pretty similar you could probably just browse a selection of stuff to check. If you referenced photos in the old library, they are still there and won't disappear if you delete the old library, but you could lose edits.

Another way is to import the old library and don't let Aperture import duplicates, but be cautious so that you don't overwrite or end up with tons of duplicates.

And if you haven't opened the old library in a while, and BEFORE you do so, check the modification date on that library. At least then you'd know the last time you changed anything. I dunno if it's possible in Aperture, but many DAMs also allow you to filter by modification dates of the photos, so that might help you as well.

Or just be real careful and plop it onto a spare drive or 32GB thumb drive. Cheap insurance.

 

[ChrisA]

.....
Is it safe to assume that I can delete the "old" one?
Is there a way to check that the "new" one would have the contents of the "old" one plus -obviously- "new" content?...

You will have to open each library and look. The best way to compare them is to find the most recent photo in "old" the note the number of images in "old"

Now open "new" and create a smart fodder with all images the same or older than the ones in "old"

In other words open "new" and create a smart folder that has the exact same content as "old".

When comparing two lists it helps to soft both lists by the same thing, like date.