I just updated Apple Aperture to version 3.4. Opening an existing 3.3 library caused it to update successfully to version 3.4 — but it would not open! Each time it would cause Aperture to crash. The fix? Delete Aperture’s preference file; there was no need to reinstall the Aperture software application.
Here’s how to locate and delete the Aperture preference file:
1. In the Finder, select the Go menu — then hold down the Option key. You’ll see the normally hidden user Library. Select it.
2. Now open the Preferences folder. Locate the com.apple.Aperture.plist file and toss it in the Trash.
3. Reopen Aperture. That should fix the problem.
Holding down the Option key will reveal
the normally hidden user Library.
Brilliant! It’s easy AND it works. Thanks, Mike.
This worked perfectly for me. Thanks for the help!
A two minute fix! Thanks for this.
Awww man, the world of computers is a hostile environment for a Dyslexic, I struggle with this side of my profession. I’ve been having crashing problems with 3.4 and this seemed a possible fix. Did as instructed and went to open Aperture. A message came up, something about upgrading. I wasn’t sure what it meant so decided to go back and dragged the file back into preferences where it asked me if I wanted to update the file which was already there or keep both (it’s all a bit of a blur here) Whatever happened I open Aperture up and it’s now 3.3.2 and all the previous photos have gone, it’s just a brand new unused Aperture. I have Time machine which wasn’t switched on at the time so I’m looking into how I can restore things using that, any help with this would be welcome, cheers.
I assume the Aperture library itself still exists. So… I would toss out the preferences again. Then open the library with Aperture and allow it to upgrade from version 3.3.2 to version 3.4.
To help with any feedback, I only store a couple of months of photos in the library at any one time, I only use referenced images so there is no library bulging with tens of thousands of images.
Wow, that was a quick reply Mike
So take out com.apple.Aperture.plist and trash it, how do I start to upgrade it to 3.4 again?
If you open your Aperture library again — if Aperture detects that it’s from a previous version — it should pop up a message asking permission to upgrade it.
OK, I’ve started all over again. I’ve binned the file and opened up Aperture, I can hear the computer working, is that it upgrading, there seems to be no visual clue as to whats going on
Uuh, that’s not happening, not sure what to do now
Hmmm, com.apple.Aperture.plist is still in preferences, the one I took out was a copy which happened when I tried to put it back in, not sure if I should take this one out as thats what caused the problem in the first place
Right, looking into this I think I see the problem. I was pretty sure I was on 3.4 but it seems this update is only a few weeks old and I’m sure it’s nearly two months since I last upgraded the Aperture App. I took it for granted I was on 3.4 because of the constant problems I’m having with it, no I’m not too sure, can I plug time machine into my old spare Mac to find out which it is?
Well, I’ve sussed out it was Aperture 3.3.4, still no idea how to get my library back, any suggestions please throw them in the hat, cheers
Sorted it out, got my library back.
So glad to hear of your success, Mark!
Thanks for the tip. This sorted my problem out as well.
Can I trash these too??
com.apple.Aperture.plist.2mMWviI
com.apple.Aperture.plist.bpS1L4y
com.apple.Aperture.plist.lockfile
com.apple.Aperture.DodgeAndBurnPlugIn.plist
Sure, you can delete these. The worst that will happen is setting will revert back to their defaults.
Aperture.plist keeps reappearing in library after I move it to trash. Not sure how to stop the aperture crashing.
aperture.plist keeps reappearing after I move it to trash. What to do?
You’re right, if it doesn’t already exist, the aperture.plist file is recreated when Aperture is launched. Try launching Aperture with the option key held down.
Aperture crashed on me twice. It appears to be due to an issue with .plist not updating when I drag and drop old archived photos into iPhoto. The first time it crashed I had to redo the database. That took many hours. The next time I imported archived photos, I noticed that they were present in iPhoto but unavailable in Aperture. I did the plist deletion as mentioned here and it fixed the reference problem. Great solution!!!