What is missing is a search field at the top of the library pane that filters on the name of projects and folders. Aperture works best with relatively small projects and provides blue folders for grouping them. But as time goes on, the number of projects and folders increases to the hundreds, and the point is reached where it is impossible to remember where anything is; hence the need to be able to filter.

Another missing feature is the ability to tag projects. Aperture is hot on keywords and has all these features based on metadata, but still offers only a hierarchical organization for projects. If I could tag projects then I could classify them in several different ways simultaneously. For instance, I could have some projects tagged Personal and Biking and others tagged Business and Biking and be able to filter to any Biking projects, not caring about the situation in which I shot them.

In the Finder list view I can open and close all folders at once with command right arrow and command left arrow respectively. I can include nested folders if I add the option key. But there is no similar facility in Aperture's library pane. In looking for a project I have to manually open, open, open, all the folders, and then when I'm done, close, close, close, all the folders. This adds to the frustration in dealing with many folders and projects.

Tags: Aperture, Library, Folders, Projects