ACDSee Users - help please

J

Jen22

New member
So I've never used it, though I have heard of it. I saw that it was on sale for cheap and went to see if there was a Mac version. I found a high priced pro version for Mac and then a really cheap version for $12.99 in the App store for Mac.

My question - is it just a simple viewing & tagging program? I see the pro version also edits, but I don't need that. I really liked iPhoto on my Mac, but I don't like that I have to import pics into it - I have an organizing system that I prefer, and iPhoto messes that up. But if ACDSee can do the tagging & viewing for me without importing photos, then I can keep my folders and use that to tag people and stuff (I loved the face recognition in iPhoto and being able to look for pics with specific people).

So is that what it does, or am I misunderstanding what ACDSee is for?
 
If you like iPhoto but want more flexible storage for your files, you might want to look at Apple's Aperture. It's $80 in the Mac App Store which is obviously more than the cheap version of ACDSee, but with Aperture you can store your photos where you want and but still use all the iPhoto features like face recognition too. It's what I use for all my photos and I definitely prefer it to the ACDSee version I used when I had a PC.
 
Oh thanks Lynnette - I'll definitely check that out. I am in love with the face recognition of iPhoto, but the importing thing just got to be too much and I stopped using it. I'm still trying to get all the photos out of it and put in the correct folders - such a pain. Thanks for the info :)

And thanks Ripal - it seemed like that's what it did, just wanted to be sure before I bought it (even if it's only $13)
 
I use both Aperture and ACDSee... Aperture for photos and ACDSee for the kits. I just like to keep those two separated. :)
 
So is Aperture pretty much just like iPhoto - but I don't have to import the pics into it. I can just keep them in the folders I have and work from there, tagging and what not, in Aperture. Sorry for asking more - I just don't wanna buy an $80 program if it's not what I wan, you know :)
 
irish_eyes22 said:
So is Aperture pretty much just like iPhoto - but I don't have to import the pics into it. I can just keep them in the folders I have and work from there, tagging and what not, in Aperture. Sorry for asking more - I just don't wanna buy an $80 program if it's not what I wan, you know :)
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No problem! Apple used to offer a trial version but I think the link may have been discontinued.

You'll still have to import the photos into Aperture from your hard drive - they aren't automatically added. But you can choose to import them in their current location so the files themselves aren't moved or duplicated. Then once they're imported you can edit, tag, organize, etc.

Here's a quick screenshot to show you what I mean:

nettio-aperture.png


In the import window, you'd choose a project to import them into but the files themselves will still be stored in their current location. So the April 2012 project container is just what holds those photos in Aperture - it doesn't change where they're stored in the Finder. Does that make sense? It's actually really simple, you just have to make sure you always choose the Store Files: In Their Current Location drop down when you import.

If you have any other questions, let me know!
 
That definitely makes sense! Thank you - it's good to know how it all works. I'm not sure if I'm gonna get it though since what I really want is to be able to tag, and the cheapo ACDSee can do that. I absolutely LOVE the face recognition feature, but I'm not sure I can justify $80 for just that, lol :) But you've given me something to think about, that's for sure. Thanks again for all your help! :)
 
No problem! Do you edit your photos at all? Because I do about 90% of my photo editing in Aperture now instead of Photoshop and it's WAY faster. Not to try to sell you on it, haha, but just thought I'd mention it.
 
Nettio said:
No problem! Do you edit your photos at all? Because I do about 90% of my photo editing in Aperture now instead of Photoshop and it's WAY faster. Not to try to sell you on it, haha, but just thought I'd mention it.
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I did noticed the editing :) Though I've learned enough of my camera that I only really do minor edits now (yay!). But I have a routine that works great for me (I don't use Photoshop either - never liked the results) - I doubt I'd change it. That's why I never kept Lightroom - I didn't use it enough, even though I know others swear by it.

I think I'll get it eventually just to have the face recognition (yes I love it that much, lol) but to justify the cost, I'll wait till after the family vacation this month, lol :)
 
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