Adobe has released a new Lightroom plug-in for Lightroom 5.6 and up that allows you to import an existing Apple Aperture library into Lightroom.
The plug-in automatically moves all your assets and metadata from Aperture to Lightroom. Photos and video imported from Aperture are added to a Collection called “From Aperture.”
Much of the metadata is transferred to the 1:1 equivalent in Lightroom (e.g., flags, star ratings, keywords, GPS data, rejects, hidden files). However, Faces, Color Labels and Stacks from Aperture are mapped to Keywords in Lightroom, which allows Lightroom users to easily sort and apply the appropriate metadata using Lightroom’s organizational tools.
Since adjustments to photos made in Aperture and iPhoto cannot be read in Lightroom, the plug-in imports both the original images and copies of the images that have adjustments applied.
In addition to the plug-in Adobe is offering Aperture users who subscribe to the Creative Cloud Photography plan a free 3-month membership to KelbyOne online training site, which includes:
- Step-by-step training series to streamline the transition from Aperture to Lightroom
- Full access to comprehensive training videos on Lightroom and Photoshop, lighting and photography
- 3-month digital subscription to Photoshop User; and additional bonus content
You can download the plugin here on Adobe’s website.
When I made the decision to purchase my first iMac (as opposed to building another Windows-based desktop – loved doing it, but didn’t feel like it any longer) I also made the decision to move into either Lightroom or Aperture.
There was much to like about Aperture (this was about 5-years ago) and I found the decision-making process difficult. But in the end I elected to go with Adobe if only because I wasn’t 100% certain Apple would remain fully committed to it’s application. Adobe, on the other hand, was most certainly all-in and I had no doubt it would remain such.
I think I made the right decision.
Thanks for the article, Eric.
I’m an Aperture user getting ready to switch to Lightroom / Photoshop and have recently purchased a Creative Cloud subscription. Any idea how I take advantage of the 3 month free KelbyOne subscription you mention in the article. I can’t find a reference to it anywhere on Adobe’s website.
Many thanks.
Details are here: http://landing.adobe.com/en/na/products/creative-cloud/54511-aperture-switcher.html
Offer starts Oct. 16 and ends Nov. 28. If you signed up before Oct. 16, you might try contacting Adobe customer service to see if they would hook you up with the deal anyway. I’m not saying they will; however, Adobe customer service can sometimes be pretty accommodating when you just barely miss a deal window.