Just a few news items about our most recent Aperture update…

Aperture 3.6 Release Notes

The Apple Knowledge Base article that outlines version update features has been updated for Aperture 3.6. According to that, here's the full list of Aperture 3.6 updates:

• Adds compatibility with OS X Yosemite.
• Fixes an issue that could cause Aperture performance to slow down while browsing through images with onscreen proofing enabled.
• Fixes an issue where Aperture could become unresponsive in rare cases when adding to a shared photo stream.
• Fixes an issue that could cause Aperture to unexpectedly quit when using the Write IPTC Metadata to Originals feature.
• Aperture no longer displays the alert, “This library has been opened with a newer version of Aperture.” when using Library First Aid with libraries previously opened in iPhoto.

If you'd seen any of those issues pop up before, let us know if this in fact fixing them. I think most of this though will go unnoticed.

Some have reported snappier performance since upgrading to Yosemite and Aperture 3.6, which is always a welcome thing to hear.

Also I've heard zero complaints on the upgrade so far. By all means if you notice issues, do report them here, but this appears to be a clean transition — which is saying a lot, given that we have an entirely new OS!

RAW Decode Version 6.00

It would appear that we're looking at a new RAW decode engine in Aperture 3.6. Many of you by now have noticed that when looking at some previously imported RAW files, the “Reprocess” button may be showing up.

Are you seeing this RAW decode “reprocess” button? That means new raw goodness is waiting behind door number 1!

I don't have a list of which cameras will and won't require an update; I can however verify that Canon EOD 1Ds Mk III, 5D, and 5D Mk II files all got updates. My LUMIX GH4, GM1 and GX7 files however did not.

We can verify that this is in fact a new RAW engine by checking the Aperture “about” box, which shows 

Digital Camera RAW is now at version 6.00

What does this tell us? Likely that we're seeing some of the new RAW decode technologies demonstrated at WWDC, although there's really no way to verify that. Regardless it should just be good news all around!

I have heard at least one report of a slider moving in their RAW Fine Tuning adjustment brick for their particular camera; I believe it was a Nikon. If you're seeing any difference, do let us know in the comments!