Organizing Lightroom - Digital Scrapbooking Community

katrinak · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:04 AM

I've used LR for a long time to organize and edit my photos. It is so easy to add keywords, flags, colors, etc. So...today when I was setting up my new EHD I thought, hmmm, why can't I use this same system for digi product.

And guess what? I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I labeled ALL of my products Digi and can quickly find just them and THEN I can sort by designer, color, type and as soon as I work through them just about any other keyword I want. For now I'm focusing on getting all of my kraft and stitching tagged since I use it most! Off to tag

katrinak · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:13 AM

Okay...it just gets better.

In Library mode if I search for red and find all the red papers. I find one that I like but want to see everything that is in that kit I can scroll down on the far right pane to the metadata click the arrow by folder and BAM all of the other items in that folder show up!

Wish I'd discovered this 2 years ago!!

katrinak · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:17 AM

okay...I can't see png's or abr's but I'm still working...(and one might thing talking to myself as well!)

esther_a · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:40 AM

I'm listening, Katrina!

hguenthe · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 06:03 AM

I'm listening and the more I hear, the more I believe that LR is truly built on the foundation of Adobe Camera Raw & Bridge combined and then tweaked to make it even easier to use which has been my gut feeling for awhile now so suspect that if you keep playing, you will figure out how to show pngs too. How cool it is to find something that works so well for you and your workflow!

When you bring up your alphas, have you tried stacking them like you can do for a group of photos from the same set? or does it automatically do that for you?

katrinak · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 07:13 AM

ooh brilliant idea heather, it doesn't do it automatically but it is a quick fix! I could also create a collection of my most often used items too...so many options.

KerryMac · #7 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 08:37 AM

Katrina, were your digi things already labled by color, designer, etc.? Or did you just do that quickly and recently in LR?
In other words, are you saying that you opened LR, selected Library mode and then applied labels to groups of products? Please share more details!!

iUma · #8 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 08:45 AM

AND not to distract from Katrina's interesting party but ..... I have to say the I have been working on the ACDSee beta test team for the MAC version and it totally ROCKS. It is integrated with MAC Quicklook and with the BrushView plugin you can easily see brushes and png were a given. It is still in beta testing but works so fast. There will be a lite version focused on organization with the full version more focused on editing (which we don't need if we have PS or PSE or LR). Just some info.

Now....I'd like to know more details about the Katrina Method. As Kerry asked. Wake up California.....

oldvwblues · #9 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 09:52 AM

Am all ears here too! This might be a project to take on when I have vacation next mo. they stay at home kind!

Britgirl · #10 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:09 AM

this is kinda going over my head. In that I darent listen cause it sounds like loads of work.
and frankly I've never worked LR fully. I edit in it fully, its just the tagging and organising I sadly lack in....

mugsbigsis · #11 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:37 AM

I'm interested in your response to Kerry's question, Katrina. I used LR for 2 years for tagging my supplies, but I had to tag them myself. When I transferred to an EHD I lost all my tags.

anke · #12 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:37 AM

I am with Mel! katrina we are all sitting on pins and needles here, give us some more detailed details please, to me you are talking chinese! Since I just started with my new baby I need to find a good way to organize, I haven't figured IPhoto out yet, so anything easier would be great!

anke · #13 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:47 AM

Patricia, any idea how soon ACDSee will be available for Mac?

iUma · #14 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 11:24 AM

Anke, you can get the beta right now for free and the final version is due out for purchase in early 2010.

ACDSee Photo Software

PLEASE NOTE: They say only use test images because each new version of the beta so far has not read the previous database. If you try it and sort your didi stuff into categories DO NOT USE FUTURE BETA releases until they say it will read your database. They are doing a staged beta - getting feedback and changing it over the course of a year to make sure it really works perfectly. You can use it now and then just wait until the beta version which will read the database.

Check out the forum at the site to get ideas and understanding. There are no help files or directions yet. It's BETA!

Elena · #15 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 11:39 AM

Really the only hesitation I've had about switching from a PC to a Mac is that I LOVE ACDSee and I didn't want to give it up (not to mention having to re-tag everything for a new system), so thanks for enabling me Patricia!

katrinak · #16 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 12:13 PM

I am tagging everything by hand BUT it goes quickly since I can Synch the metadata just for tags. The benefit for me too is that I already have LR open so it is not one more program weighing my computer down. I love how quickly I can search and see everything. AND if you haven't seen your pages in LR and quickly zoomed from page to page you are truly missing out!!

I'm still working out what my system is going to be but so far I'm loving it. In one step I can open EVERY preview file on my computer and see ALL of my product. Once there I can quickly open their corresponding files and see everything in it. I'm hooked.

It will take a while to get everything tagged so I'm focusing more on working on products from this point forward (with the exception of my beloved krafts)

And as for moving...NEVER EVER move anything anywhere but IN LIGHTROOM then you will avoid losing tags, etc. I moved 10,000 photos last night and everything is intact. Thanks to Matt K's Killer Lightroom Tips I was able to do it seamlessly.

hguenthe · #17 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 12:29 PM

Have you tried doing any of your favorite presets on your beloved kraft to see what interesting variations you come up with?

Chris · #18 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the info Katrina!

What I do like about Lightroom is that it tells you which EHD your stuff is on, and if you have that particular EHD open or not. This is very useful for someone like me, with EHD's all over the place!

I'm thinking I can place my Digi scrapbooking stuff on an EHD before tagging in LR, then I won't keep running out of space on my 232.57 GB HD, like I'm always close to doing!

cstaff · #19 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 12:53 PM

My head is swimming but when I go mac next month... sounds like beginning from the get-go with LR is a must. Think I'll need to find a cabin in the woods by myself for a month to get this going (must have hi-speed however

)

Starlite9711 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 02:04 PM

I really need to delve into LR for organizing. I use it for editing, but dont know much more. I need to organize, BADLY! Thanks for the push Katrina!

iUma · #21 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 02:10 PM

OMG!!! PARTI!!! Just sent the husband off for a day of sailing with the step-sons friends..they are trying to catch up with the step-son's sailing race....

I AM PARTYING with LR2. Just imported all my psd files of pages and did a slideshow. NOW I think I have away to share what I have been doing all the years with the less than astute family/friends. They will get this!! FUN. Feel like a switch has been flipped. Thanks Katrina.

I have a few questions. Do you always create 1:1 previews on import?
How long do you keep them? Do you backup the data base everytime you open?
How long do you keep back up files? Starting to be a big file on my MBP hard drive but I want to play more with the product like you are. Any advise?

digigal · #22 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 03:14 PM

Thank you, Katrina! I will be watching this thread. I, too, haven't had a chance to plunge into organizing yet. (((hugs))) for sharing this information!

farabee · #23 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 06:15 PM

Just have to ask....what is this "krafts" that is/are your favorite, katrina?

mugsbigsis · #24 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britgirl

this is kinda going over my head. In that I darent listen cause it sounds like loads of work.
and frankly I've never worked LR fully. I edit in it fully, its just the tagging and organising I sadly lack in....

We would make a great team, Mel. I only use it for sorting and tagging.

Quote:

Originally Posted by katrinak

And as for moving...NEVER EVER move anything anywhere but IN LIGHTROOM then you will avoid losing tags, etc. I moved 10,000 photos last night and everything is intact. Thanks to Matt K's Killer Lightroom Tips I was able to do it seamlessly.

Yes, I learned about Matt's tip on that one AFTER I transfered.

I used Adobe Bridge through LR. Was I adding an extra step?

hguenthe · #25 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farabee

Just have to ask....what is this "krafts" that is/are your favorite, katrina?

Katrina is a krafty paper junkie.

katrinak · #26 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugsbigsis

I used Adobe Bridge through LR. Was I adding an extra step?

I think so

katrinak · #27 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phfphd

I have a few questions. Do you always create 1:1 previews on import?
How long do you keep them? Do you backup the data base everytime you open?
How long do you keep back up files? Starting to be a big file on my MBP hard drive but I want to play more with the product like you are. Any advise?

I create minimal previews.

I don't backup the database every time, in fact (gasp) I take Matt K's advice and don't back up the database, choosing instead to back up my entire computer. (not often...I'm a slacker)

Not sure what MBP is? I don't keep multiple back up files if that makes sense. I've upgraded to a 1TB EHD in addition to my 500G EHD. Everything pre November 2008 product/layouts/photos is on the 500G. New goes to 1TB.