Remove Duplicates Photos Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide for Aperture Users

As an Aperture user, I'm sure you're familiar with the frustration of dealing with multiple versions of the same photo in your library. With time, your projects grow, and so do the number of photos within them. This can lead to duplicates, not just in terms of identical images but also in terms of edited versions, such as black and white or sepia-toned copies. The problem is compounded by the fact that filenaming conventions are often unreliable, even when limited to a specific range.

In this article, I'll share my experience with creating an AppleScript to remove duplicates from Photos on Mac. As someone who uses Aperture, I'm well aware of the limitations and challenges that come with migrating to Photos. While it's true that duplicates can be created during the upgrade process, they're not exclusive to Photos users. If you have a large library, there's a good chance you've accumulated multiple versions of the same photo.

Before we dive into the script, let me clarify that I haven't explored whether this can be achieved using AppleScript hooks available in Photos. If anyone has insight into this, I'd appreciate it. In any case, I'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the script and merge duplicate photos while preserving album associations and tags.

The script creates a new folder called 'Duplicates' and adds an album with all the found duplicates. Most users will likely only need the Find Duplicates script, but for those who want to debug the library or find original files within Photos' inscrutable database, I've also created a second script that reveals the ID of a selected photo.

To use the script, simply copy it to your Photos script folder (if you have the Script menu enabled) or run it from ScriptEditor. If you're working with a large album, I recommend selecting one or two years at a time to avoid any issues with memory allocation.

In conclusion, removing duplicates in Photos on Mac is a necessary step for maintaining an organized and efficient library. With this AppleScript, Aperture users can now automate the process of finding and merging duplicate photos while preserving metadata. Whether you're a professional photographer or simply looking to declutter your digital life, this script is an essential tool to add to your toolkit.

Update: As some commenters pointed out, the next step will be to create a script that allows users to 'merge' a pair of photos, moving all album associations and tags onto just one. The Photos AppleScript library doesn't allow destructive operations other than deleting albums, so in the worst-case scenario, if it doesn't work, it won't find duplicates that it should.

How to Use the Script:

1. Select the photos you want to scan for duplicates.

2. Run the Find Duplicates script from your Photos script folder or ScriptEditor.

3. The script will create a new album with all duplicate photos found.

4. Review the duplicates and select which one you want to keep.

5. Right-click on the unwanted duplicate and select 'Delete' to move it to the 'Deleted Photos' album.

Tips:

* Make sure not to delete both duplicates in a pair, as they will stay in the 'Deleted Photos' album for a month.

* If you accidentally delete both duplicates, don't worry – they'll still be accessible from the 'Deleted Photos' album.

* For large libraries, select one or two years at a time to avoid issues with memory allocation.

Removing duplicates in Photos on Mac is a crucial step in maintaining an organized and efficient library. With this AppleScript, Aperture users can now automate the process of finding and merging duplicate photos while preserving metadata. Whether you're a professional photographer or simply looking to declutter your digital life, this script is an essential tool to add to your toolkit.

Remove duplicates photos mac