Too many kits!

[Michelle C]

I find that it's hard to remember all the elements and papers that I have as I'm creating layouts. I was thinking of making a binder with thumbnail size pictures of each element and paper to refer to, but I'm not sure how to go about it. All I can think of is opening and dragging each element onto a blank page, but that would take forever. Does anyone know an easier way? Thanks in advance!

[AlinaLove]

maybe this is apparent... i have several folders on my pc where i find papers, frames, embellishments etc.
after i used the kit and so got acquainted with all or most of the parts, i would file all the parts in the fitting main folders and delete the kit-folder.
i have a special folder for the previews of kits, so i do remember what is in one kit if i want to use more than one part of a kit or need a kit-reference.

when i am searching for a fitting paper i browse through my papers and do have them all in one folder so i don't forget any.

when my folders are getting too big, i find a new folder-theme to split them up.

as i said, maybe this is just like everyone is doing it... i am still so new here.

[anke]

I think that's why they invented ACDSee LOL. I know exactly what you mean, it gets overwhelming! Tagging elements allows you to find all your specific elements in one place without actually having to move them out of the kit. It's a really great system. If you hit the search button in the forums and type in ACDSee, you will find lots of threads where we discussed the very same thing

[maureenreynolds]

Michelle, way back in the day, I was doing this. No longer...

This is why most of us do some kind of organization with our digi supplies. Either in well organized folders, Bridge, Organizer, Lightroom, ADCSee...something. None of it is hard, but it sure does take time!

Here is the classic thread that is referred to over and over again on this forum. It should give you some ideas on where you might start.

Trust me, the sooner you find your own organizational style the easier it will be to find your goodies! Me? right now I'm using the ACDSee APP on my Macs. Love, love, love it.

[Michelle C]

Thank you everybody! Your suggestions have been really helpful!

[kikimama]

Good luck! It is so useful to have your supplies tagged, I find I use a lot more of them as I find things I'd forgotten about, especially fun papers from the challenges, and cute elements in the kits.

I personally use picasa 'cos it's free, think all the systems have their good points.

[KimR+]

I too use ACDSee!! Love tagging, though I've been bad lately...I should work on that one of these days!

[blhdvm]

I agree - each person has to "discover" which system works best for them. I tried the tagging system using PSE, but found it SO time consuming. I now just use folders with copies of the previews (kits, brushes, text paths, & templates) plus a folder that has "favorites" in it - elements or papers that I reach for over and over.

[Bonvoyage4me]

All I can say is AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I don't know if I should break up my tutorials and put the things from there in folders. Break up my kits. I CAN NOT remember where things are and hate buying more. I have already bought two things I didn't know I had already. I have to check out this ACDsee thing you are talking about.

[Bonvoyage4me]

Why is nothing as easy as it seems. Just went to ACDsees site. Of course ten million things came up. Lots of free ones, but which is the safe one, the one to use? There is a deluxe a ten version and several others. Wow also more expensive than I thought.
I am wondering if the other program I saw is sold as an app somewhere. It has all your content on a rotating thing. Kind of like a clothes line you just click and spin it to what you want. They are all open you don't have to open, open, and open.
In my folder for papers I have first find my folder that says DD. Then I have to go down the line for papers and read each one trying to remember which papers are in what folder. Than I open that and it says KPertiet with the name on it, then I have to open that to finally see the papers. Is this normal.
Same thing on frames, first I have to find the DD stuff, then open that and then find the frames and open that and then pick a frame and it opens with KPertiet with a number and frame and then open that to get to the frames. Isn't this alot of opening. I want a one click system

[maureenreynolds]

Even before you start buying software that you will have to learn, I'd suggest getting your folders in order. Think of how you organize your home/work office paperwork. You'll get an idea of what kind of organization works (or doesn't!!) for you. Computer folders are the same as paper folders except they only take up space on your hard drive and hopefully an ehd which is backing your hard drive up.

We have all been in the position of buying the same thing more than once so let that one go. The DD store now makes that one a thing of the past with the yellow alert on the top...telling you you bought this and on what date.

I too have the DD store as a main folder. Under that, I have some of the designers I most often buy from in their own sub folders. The rest I'll discuss later. Let's go with Katie, since I have the most from her. In the KP folder I have subdivided her items into
KP Alphas, KP Christmas, KP Elements, KP Frames, KP Kits, KP Masks & Overlays, KP Paper, KP Templates, KP Word Art. Any Kp element that is not in a specific category goes into that KP Elements.

These are categories that work for me.

Ali Edwards folder has a great deal too, but mostly I have her templates so I didn't bother subdividing her folder. Is this making sense?

btw, I also have EVERY digi folder I own have the preview image on top of the folder, so I see what it is without having to open the folder. I do this as soon as I've downloaded my newest supplies and before they get 'filed' in their own category. This is not a complicated system and is based on what Cassie outlined in her own system.

I never break down kits. Many people do break down their kits. It's all in which way will help you find things the easiest way. Bit by bit I can pretty much know what's in a kit from the preview image, esp if it's a clear good one. Using a kit also helps me know what's in it, obvious as that sounds!

hth!

[Bonvoyage4me]

Maureen, Great help. I have mine organized, right now, the same way you do. I am an organized person, that is why this is killing me. LOL. Seriously I am.
LOVE LOVE the fact that DD now tags so I can tell if I already bought something I didn't know that. AWESOME!!!! I will look for that.
Would also like to know how you put the preview on the folder that sounds like a great idea. If I could make one click and see what is going on instead of four what be wonderful. Don't some of the pieces have a couple previews?
Lucky KP cuz I decided only to buy her stuff then I wouldn't have to worry about organizing and giving credit, I would just put everything from KP at DD. That works

[blkcow]

I am one of the few that uses the Organizer in PSE. It works so well for me. You do have to have plenty of memory or it will run slow. I force myself to tag every paper and element before I can use it. That takes care of getting behind. I have a "scrapbook" folder on my EHD and within that folder are folders for each designer. It works perfectly for me. That way when I need red paper...I just search for that and all the red papers pop up! HTH

[maureenreynolds]

Preview image on top of the folder is something Macs can do but not all Windows machines can. If you specify which operating system you're using, I'm sure someone can tell you if you can do the same thing.

[katie pertiet]

Originally Posted by Bonvoyage4me

Maureen, Great help. I have mine organized, right now, the same way you do. I am an organized person, that is why this is killing me. LOL. Seriously I am.
LOVE LOVE the fact that DD now tags so I can tell if I already bought something I didn't know that. AWESOME!!!! I will look for that.
Would also like to know how you put the preview on the folder that sounds like a great idea. If I could make one click and see what is going on instead of four what be wonderful. Don't some of the pieces have a couple previews?
Lucky KP cuz I decided only to buy her stuff then I wouldn't have to worry about organizing and giving credit, I would just put everything from KP at DD. That works

awe, thank you! I appreciate your business