Apply keywords using keyword controls and keyword presets

One way to apply and remove keywords is to use the keyword controls located at the left side of the control bar. The keyword controls are not shown by default.

Figure. Keyword controls in the control bar.

You can add new keywords to photos or apply preset keywords that are part of a keyword preset group (a group of related keywords). Aperture provides keyword preset groups, and you can create your own keyword preset groups that include keywords you frequently use.

When you choose a keyword preset group, Aperture assigns the specific keywords to keyword buttons in the control bar. This allows you to set the control bar to show the most useful keywords.

Show the keyword controls in the control bar

Choose Window > Show Keyword Controls (or press Shift-D).
The following keyword controls appear:
- Keyword buttons: These buttons display the preset keywords in the selected keyword preset group. The first eight keywords are assigned to the keyboard shortcut key combination of Option and a number key (1 through 8) on the keyboard. Press Option and a number key on the keyboard (not the numeric keypad) to add the preset keyword to a selected photo, or click a keyword button. The control bar can hold up to 20 keyword buttons. To remove a keyword applied by clicking a button, press Option-Shift and the button’s corresponding number key. To remove all keywords, press Option-Shift-9.
- Add Keyword field: Type a new keyword in this field and press Return to add it to a selected photo. If the keyword has been used before, Aperture automatically completes the word as you type it. If the Keywords HUD is locked, you are asked whether you want to unlock the Keywords HUD and add the keyword to the keyword library, or not add the keyword to the photo. To remove a keyword you’ve just applied, type the keyword again and press Shift-Return. Keywords removed using the keyword field are not removed from the Keywords HUD.
- Keyword Preset Group pop-up menu: Use this pop-up menu to choose the keyword preset group you want displayed. You can also use the Comma (,) key and Period (.) key to quickly cycle forward and backward through the keyword preset groups. The first eight keywords in the group are assigned to the keyboard shortcut key combination of Option and a number key from 1 through 8.

Choose a keyword preset group

Select a photo or group of photos in the Browser.
In the control bar, choose a keyword preset group from the Keyword Preset Group pop-up menu.
The keyword buttons in the control bar update according to the keyword preset group you chose.

Add a preset keyword to a photo

Select the photo to which you want to assign a keyword.
In the control bar, choose a keyword preset group from the Keyword Preset Group pop-up menu.
Do one of the following:
- Choose Metadata > Add Keyword, then choose the keyword you want from the submenu.
- Press Option and a number key from 1 to 8 to assign one of the first eight keywords.
- Click a keyword button in the control bar.

Remove a preset keyword from a photo

Select the photo with the preset keyword you want to remove.
In the control bar, select a keyword preset group from the Keyword Preset Group pop-up menu.
Do one of the following:
- Choose Metadata > Remove Keyword, then choose the keyword you want to remove from the submenu.
- Press Option-Shift and a number key from 1 to 8 to remove one of the first eight keywords.
- Shift-click the keyword button in the control bar.

Apply a new keyword using the keyword controls

In the Browser, select a photo or group of photos.
In the control bar, type the new keyword in the Add Keyword field, then press Return.

The keyword you entered is now applied to the photo or group of photos.

Create a keyword preset group and assign keywords to it

In the control bar, choose Edit Buttons from the Keyword Preset Group pop-up menu.
The Edit Button Sets dialog appears.
The Name column on the left lists the keyword preset groups that already exist. When you select a keyword preset group in this column, the keywords included in the group appear in the center Contents column. You add or remove keywords by adding them to or removing them from the Contents column. The Keywords Library column provides a list of the existing keywords in your keyword library. You can drag keywords from this list into the Contents column. You can also add keywords and keyword groups to your keyword library using the controls below the Keywords Library column.
To create a new keyword preset group, click the Add button (+).
An untitled keyword preset group appears in the Name column.
Type a name for the new keyword preset group, then press Return.
Drag keywords from the Keywords Library column to the Contents column.
If you wish, you can select multiple keywords and drag them to the Contents column at the same time. Hold down the Shift key while pressing the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to select several keywords, Shift-click to select adjacent keywords, or Command-click to select nonadjacent keywords. If you have a large list of keywords, you can quickly locate the one you’re looking for by typing the keyword in the search field. You can also add new keywords to the Keywords Library column by clicking the Add Keyword button. You can then drag the new keywords into the Contents column.
If you want to rearrange the order of the keywords in the Contents column, drag them into the order you prefer.
The first eight keywords are assigned to the keyboard shortcut key combination of Option and a number key (1 through 8) on the keyboard. To remove a keyword from the column, select it and press Delete, or click the Remove button (–) below the column.
After arranging the keywords in order, click OK.

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