Apple Aperture 3.5 - Manual (Page 37)

Chapter 2 Import photos 37
Automatically name imported photos
The filenames given to photos by the camera are often difficult to distinguish. When you import
photos, you can have Aperture use the original name assigned by the camera or use a filenaming
convention that you choose or create. For example, you can use a name format that includes
a name that you specify, plus the date, the time, and an index number. Aperture provides a
number of preset name formats, and you can also create your own naming conventions to suit
the different types of shoots you do.
You can apply names to your image files when you import them and when you export them. You
can specify names to apply to the versions and to the originals. For example, when you import
photos from your camera, you can specify that a name format be applied to each image version
that Aperture creates. You can also specify that Aperture apply names to the originals as they are
stored in the library or on a hard disk.
When you import originals as referenced images, you can’t rename the originals if you leave
them in their original locations. However, when you import originals as referenced images and
move them to a new hard disk location, you can rename them at that time.
Note: If you back up your files on import, the copied files are also renamed. For more
information, see
Automatically back up files at import on page 44.
Proper filenaming is one of the most critical aspects of media and project management. When
you capture your originals, consider how and where your files may be used in the future. Naming
your files simply and consistently makes it easier to share media among multiple photographers,
transfer projects to other Aperture systems, move files across a network, and properly restore
archived projects.
The most conservative filenaming conventions provide the most cross-platform compatibility.
This means that your filenames will work in different operating systems, such as OS X and other
UNIX-based operating systems, and Windows. You also need to consider filenaming when you
transfer files over the Internet, where you can never be certain what computer platform your files
may be stored on, even if temporarily.
Avoid Example characters Reasons
File separators / (slash)
\ (backslash) Some applications may not allow
filenames with slashes, which are
directory separators for OS X and
DOS (Windows), respectively.
Special characters not included in
your native alphabet ¢™ These characters may not be
supported or may be difficult
to work with when exported to
other applications.
Punctuation marks, parentheses,
quotation marks, brackets,
and operators . , [ ] { } ( ) ! ; “ ` * ? < > | These characters are often used
in scripting and programming
languages.
White space characters such
as spaces, tabs, new lines, and
carriage returns (the last two
are uncommon) White space is handled differently
in different programming
languages and operating systems.
The most conservative filenames
avoid all use of white space
characters and use the underscore
(_) character instead.
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