Amazing filing system!!!!

[mum2gnt]

So I just thought I would share my filing system as so far it has made my life so much easier and it is so SO SO much quicker to scrap using it!!!!!

It's a bit long winded to explain but it truly works!

So all the zips are filed under ZIPPED and in that is FINISHED ZIPPED. Every zipped file has a number (I think you can do a number generator online from somewhere - I did mine at work) It is important that you keep your zipped files as you will see later!
So I download a file into ZIPPED then go into it and rename it - but keep the same original name and just put the next number from my list. eg. file downloaded is "abcde - winter kit" so I rename it "142. abcde - winter kit". Then unzip it to UNZIPPED and file it under FINISHED ZIPPED. Meanwhile in UNZIPPED I open that file to reveal all its contents. I rename all these with the file number and add the file type - so "142. abcde - winter kit" I rename all files inside this kit as "142. KIT abcde - winter kit" . Then I dish out the individual bits from this file into catagories. So in UNZIPPED I have a few catagories. PAPER, ALPHA, ELEMENTS, etc. And in those I have further catagories - like under ELEMENTS I have heaps of stuff like FLOWERS, STAPLES, FEATHERS, BUTTERFLIES, etc. Under PAPER I have colours and also a PAPER PACKS file so you can instantly see what papers came with eachother - but you put the catagories you want. But I also have a file ORIGINALS where I put the preview folder of each download. I also have a PIXEL CANVAS file where I copy/paste the preview file into. All the time the file bits have the number, type (KIT, PAPER, etc) and original file name (ie designer and product name).

Now all that sounds complicated I am sure but here's the clever bit! So you need a green paper for your layout. Look under PAPER>GREEN and all your green papers are there - all with file numbers, designers, product name and you can instantly see if it is part of a kit or paper pack or whatever by the title. So now you need a flower - go to ELEMENTS>FLOWERS and all the flowers are there! And if you want to know what came with that flower all you have to do is look in ORIGINALS and look up the number and you will see the original preview of contents. Want to do a beach layout but have no idea where to start? Look in THEMES>BEACH!!! See easy! It does mean a fair bit of work to file it all but once done it is a piece of cake!

And here is another clever bit.......So Designer Digitals are doing a challenge / CT call and you need to see your DD stash. Look in SHOPS>DESIGNER DIGITALS!! All the previews are there - all with their numbers, catagories and image. Here's where it is probably quicker to re-unzip the file rather than get each bit from each catagory. So once you have selected from the previews go to ZIPPED>FINISHED ZIPPED and look up the number of that preview file and just re-unzip it!

Need to read TOU? Look for that file number/name under TOU!

And here's the icing on the cake!!! Once imported into Photoshop it obviously imports the file name too so you can see from the file name (title) all the information you need for those all important credit lists! - in fact I rename my layers with numbers and designer initials now for those credit lists!

You can even do a search in Windows for the number / designer / kit name and it will bring up all files related to it!

So there you have it. It probably makes no sense at all but I would just unzip one file and do as I explained to see what I mean. It might not work for everyone but how easy is all that once done! If you do it, before you start I would sit down and work out catagories as it's hard to change them once done as they are written in the file names!!! I have basic catagories then sub catagories. It is an absolute breeze to work with and speeds things up no end! I did discover that not all designers put their names on their downloads - but if you open TOU it's usually in there. It also saves disc space as I used to copy each download ito catagories - like the whole thing! It takes ages but it is so worth it!

Anyway I have shared now so over to you!

[THAT-GIRL]

After reading all, I realized that your system that you made here is for Windows... gee-e-e I wish I had you to figure it out when I was on Windows... you've done a GREAT job on putting it all together, but it makes me more thankful to own Mac and I consider myself lucky, we don't have to go thru all that unzipping, the minute you download files they are available in full picture to use... I am NOT in any way trying to put down windows, they have many thing that Mac doesn't, but gosh... couldn't THEY (I mean "Windows people") make it easier by now... considering how many people own windows and how many of them just can not make the change even if they want to...

[sam ellis]

wow sounds like a GREAT system. and so easy to find stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[mum2gnt]

Originally Posted by THAT-GIRL

After reading all, I realized that your system that you made here is for Windows... gee-e-e I wish I had you to figure it out when I was on Windows... you've done a GREAT job on putting it all together, but it makes me more thankful to own Mac and I consider myself lucky, we don't have to go thru all that unzipping, the minute you download files they are available in full picture to use... I am NOT in any way trying to put down windows, they have many thing that Mac doesn't, but gosh... couldn't THEY (I mean "Windows people") make it easier by now... considering how many people own windows and how many of them just can not make the change even if they want to...

You can still do the system - just without unzipping! I believe MS use zipped files to keep memory to a minimum - also you can't change a zipped file really without unzipping it so it's good to keep it as an original. Also, I am sure if they wanted to, Windows people can change their settings to automatically unzip a file. I nearly went over to MAC but then thought I only ever use Photoshop, email and internet. (My filing is kept on 2 EHDs). So don't need to change. Plus I couldn't really justify the $1800 difference in price (including all the new software I would have purchase!) plus the risk of throwing it out the window as I struggle to use it!!!
But same old thing - you don't know what you are missing out on unless you try it!

[tylertooo]

I have been looking for a better way, and this just might be it. I will give it a try, as I have gotten quite frustrated using bridge - as I have too much stuff, and it never seems to hold key words like it should, and keeps freezing on me. I am going to study your system, and give it a test run. Thanks so much.

[hguenthe]

Originally Posted by tylertooo

I have been looking for a better way, and this just might be it. I will give it a try, as I have gotten quite frustrated using bridge - as I have too much stuff, and it never seems to hold key words like it should, and keeps freezing on me. I am going to study your system, and give it a test run. Thanks so much.

A tip on Bridge and keywords.. go slow. If you don't give it time to set the keywords to the file, your progress is lost. If you go slower and watch the bottom left bar to see when it finishes writing to the metadata before continuing, your frustrations should be greatly reduced.

[THAT-GIRL]

Yepp Heather is right !!!
Don't give up on "Bridge" it's "god send"... and definitely make a "Smart albums" (like Heather again helped me... I love you for that) they pull everything you key worded in a matter of seconds... and just for example and comparing my "Paper" folder have already - 1682 items and "Alpha" folder - 2826 items and like I said it builds up in the matter of seconds... so Joanie keep trying don't give up !!!

[ejanie]

Thanks for the filing system. I may try it!

[severtt]

When I have a zipped file, I just click on it, and drag, or copy and paste the contents, then use the filename of the zipped file, if I want to retain the name and right click>rename>copy of the zipped file and right click>rename>paste into the new folder. I then organize the content of the folders into subfolers in a giant folder called Scrapbooking Elements. I do the paper separately.
The problem for me is that keeping the original zipped files addes to the volume on my two external drives. I just always make sure that I copy and paste the contents of the folder, never drag them out, just make sure they are not changed or deleted.