How do you keep track of what products you used in a layout?

[DavesGirl]

I have a pretty good organizational system going for my supplies (I use Adobe Organizer). I'm happy with the tagging, searching, and all of that. But where I seem to be failing is on how to keep track of WHICH products I used in a layout.

I have been keeping a spreadsheet for products that I purchase from DD (with links from the handy dandy store spreadsheet), but that spreadsheet is really only to track what I've bought so that I don't buy it again. At this point it's not for linking individual layouts to the products used.

So what do you guys do? Edit the metadata of your Elements file? Keep a spreadsheet? Post it all to a blog?

[dugarner]

When I do keep track of product (I don't post to the gallery much), I open a notepad file and open the product spreadsheet available here, then, as I use an element, I copy the HTML link from the spreadsheet to the notepad file and then save it with the same name as my layout. It only takes a second or two and it's an easy way to get it all done at once.

[anxela]

LOL! Have you seen my layouts? I can see that most people here would need some kind of system, but I just go through the layers and look up the kits as I spot something I haven't put up yet. I usually have a pretty good idea of what I've used. (Not that hard, as I tend to have less than 3 kits on my list)

[anxela]

...but... one advice is to rename the layer to the name of the kit when you drag it onto your layout

[HeatherPrins]

yeah i just name the layer

[kikimama]

I open file info under the file menu and type all the details into the keywords box. Then I can just copy and paste when I post to the gallery.

Now if I could just make myself do it as I went along with the layout instead of working it out at the end things would be simpler. Soooo glad my supplies are tagged, saves a lot of time re-looking up blue paper, say.

[maureenreynolds]

I seriously don't want to stop and retype stuff. Really.

I have a free Supply Tracker action/script I got on line that puts all the named layers together in one text layer. I then copy that to Text Editor on my Mac and add the journaling ( usually realize I have a a spelling mistake and go back and correct that! ) and then I've hide that layer before resaving the psd.

I also have (from the same source) another free action/script - File Save 1 - allows you to save the PSD, full resolution JPGs and 72 dpi JPGs in one step.

[lizj]

Recently Pattie mentioned in a thread that if you open an element (in PSE) using file>place, it opens it right onto the lo with the layer named! I loved that tip. It definitely makes it easier to track what you use if the layer is named.

I open a Word document (or Text doc on the Mac) and paste in the info on each element as I go. That way I can just copy and paste from that doc into the gallery.

[anxela]

Originally Posted by lizj

Recently Pattie mentioned in a thread that if you open an element (in PSE) using file>place, it opens it right onto the lo with the layer named! I loved that tip. It definitely makes it easier to track what you use if the layer is named.

I open a Word document (or Text doc on the Mac) and paste in the info on each element as I go. That way I can just copy and paste from that doc into the gallery.

Oh, great tip! Thanks!

[maureenreynolds]

If you pull the item UP from the project bin in PSE8 and on, it also pulls the name.

[Jen D]

I just have a notepad that I jot notes and then go back and use the spreadsheet with all of the links to post credits. I am pretty fast now that I have a system and I know the products well enough just to have a key word down

[lizj]

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

If you pull the item UP from the project bin in PSE8 and on, it also pulls the name.

I cannot believe I didn't know this! After the hoopla with PSE6 and having to pull PNGs DOWN to the project bin so the backgrounds stayed transparent, I was just in the habit of going that direction, and never tried pulling up! Thanks, Maureen, that's so great to know!

[zannella1108]

Yes, I rename the layer of the product I used.. good luck!

[TU_Jenn]

I use PSE9 and drag up, and rename the bottom layer if I start with a template or drag in a bunch of layer from another document... then use a word doc named the same as my page. Going to have to check out those free actions that Maureen mentioned - awesome if they work with PSE..

Jenn

[cstaff]

drag the product in from bridge as a smart layer and it brings the product name in with it... just began this and hope it's a good process... have to rasterize the layer if I need to work with it...

[Aino]

I scrap fast and post right afterwards while all the info is fresh... then I just look at my layout and I remember what I used, generally.... I know my DD stash pretty good. Then I pull up the link in the DD spreadsheet and copy-paste the link.

When I scrap and I use an item that I know I won't remember, then I jot it down on a paper or pull up Notepad and jot it down there.

[kathleen.summers]

I scrap with an older version of PSE and just rename each layer as I'm scrapping.

[maureenreynolds]

Jenn, those action/scripts work with PS and PSE and the designer has very very clear instructions. I can't post a link because she does sell some other things but pm me if you don't find them.

[TU_Jenn]

Thanks Maureen - good ol' google came to the rescue and I have them downloaded and ready to install!

[oldvwblues]

I do what Sarah does..use notepad as I use things to keep track..and later copy the links

[ValerieP]

I used to make a list as I went on a pad of paper and then open up the DD spreadsheet and copy and paste each into my upload, but I will admit, I have gotten a bit lazy, so now as I use an item I copy and paste its file name into a word doc and then copy and paste that list into my upload. I always copy and paste my journaling into the word doc to spellcheck it before I finish it. So I have a word doc on my desktop that is pages long, I suppose I could clean that up a bit, but it doesn't seem to be taking up too much space!

[flyingbinker]

When I finish the LO, I add a text layer on the top and list everything there with credits. Then hide it to save out the LO. It makes it easy to copy and paste the credit info when I upload to my galler.

[sarahorton]

So many great ideas in this thread! Here's what I do.

[beehive50]

Originally Posted by anxela

...but... one advice is to rename the layer to the name of the kit when you drag it onto your layout

Originally Posted by kathleen.summers

I scrap with an older version of PSE and just rename each layer as I'm scrapping.

Ditto! And, ditto!

[carlalee]

Originally Posted by sarahorton

So many great ideas in this thread! Here's what I do.

This is what I do. Keeps everything organized plus because the metadata is written to the file, I can keep things neat and tidy inside Lightroom.
-c-

[tylertooo]

I learn so much from you girls.

[Amy L]

So many interesting ways to keep track. I just rename my layers as I go; loving reading how everyone handles this.

[mjrooney]

Great thread- some terrific ideas.

[Snowdropz]

I usually rename my layers. Then, when I finish my LO, I upload to an online personal gallery and immediately type all the credits down. If I do post the LO elsewhere, I merely copy the credits that I've posted.

[mymalloryboys]

I just leave my bin open in PSE at the bottom - and then I have a new window with Excel that has the DD supply list. I just use the bin to see what I used on the page. The only thing I forget sometimes is when I use a brush (ABR) since it does nor show up in the bin. Sometimes my computer has to be turned off before I get my supplies recorded and that can be a nightmare for me! But I am way too lazy to rename all my layers - sometimes I have 80 or more layers!