Finding What I Have

[shelbersjean]

I have been downloading digital stuff for years, and now I want to start using it, but for the life of me, I can't figure out a good way to know what I have. Has anyone been successful in figuring out a way to print out thumbnails of the files? I would be willing to do that. I keep my kits and designers together so I know who did what, but sometimes I want to mix things up and it would be good to be able to see all my digi-scrapping supplies at once. Thanks! Jean

[Joey_M]

Hey Jean!
This can be SO frustrating! What software to you use? I use photoshop elements to scrap and I use photoshop elements organizer to organize my stuff. I tag my items with various tags (paper, color, designer, element, etc).

Other ladies use acdsee to organize. I am sure there will be more ladies popping in with ideas!
Good luck!

[Jen D]

Yep I use ACDSEE =) Works great!

[dugarner]

I use PSE Organizer, but have recently been coming to terms with the fact that it runs so slowly.

Then I tried Picasa, but got mad when I saw how weak the tag search system is.

Then I downloaded the ACDSee trial, but it looks like it's not a true database query either, so I got frustrated with that, too.

My question for ACDSee users is, I would like to be able to do instant searches with multiple AND/NOT queries on my tags. So I want to see all my items tagged paper, AND all my items tagged stitching, and NOT Christmas tags. Can you do that? I couldn't figure out a way to do it. It is not an entirely intutitive program, and before I jumped in to trying to learn it, I wanted to be sure I can do what I want to do.

[HeatherPrins]

I am using Bridge and I really like it.

[katrinak]

I love finder on my mac just using the names, colors and designers I can find things quickly.

And when that doesn't work I browse the store

[janedee]

Originally Posted by dugarner

Then I downloaded the ACDSee trial, but it looks like it's not a true database query either, so I got frustrated with that, too.

My question for ACDSee users is, I would like to be able to do instant searches with multiple AND/NOT queries on my tags. So I want to see all my items tagged paper, AND all my items tagged stitching, and NOT Christmas tags. Can you do that? I couldn't figure out a way to do it. It is not an entirely intutitive program, and before I jumped in to trying to learn it, I wanted to be sure I can do what I want to do.

I'm no expert on ACDSee but I know you can choose match any or match all in the organizer. At the top of the organize window there is a small circle where you can choose your options but as far as I know there's no way to exclude a particular category - i.e you can list all stamps, paper, stitching but cannot exclude those also categorized as circles within those categories.
You may want to go to DigiScrapInfo! and ask there - they have great ACDSee info.

[sarahorton]

I actually have this slated for an upcoming video tip.
You can print contact sheets with both PSE and PS. Here are the steps:

In PSE, open all of the elements in the kit.
Select File > Print Multiple Photos.
This opens the Organizer - but be patient and wait for the Print Photos dialog to open.
From #2, select Contact Sheet and click Print.

In PS, it's even easier.
Just open PS and select File > Automate > Contact Sheet II.
Under "use" select Folder and browse for the kit folder.
Select the document size and how many thumbnails you want on the page.
Click OK and PS will work its magic.

[maureenreynolds]

Sara, what do you suggest for Mac users who have Bridge rather than Organizer. I personally got fed up with Bridge pretty quickly and only use Iphoto right now.

[thyme4me]

DD's own Anna Aspnes has a blog entry just on Digital Organization. Anna has several examples and maybe this can help you view what process would be best for you. Organization is time consuming but so worth it in the end.

[sarahorton]

Maureen, you can print a contact sheet from iphoto.
Just select the photos you want to use to create the contact sheet and choosethe print command.

From the Print Panel select the "Contact sheet" theme, and then "Customize."
The customize window contains a Columns slider that you can drag to the right or left to increase/decrease the number of columns.

In earlier versions of iphoto, select the images you want to include in the contact sheet and choose Print.
Under Style: Contact Sheet.
Use the slider to set how many photos will be across the page.
At the bottom, there are buttons for Preview, Save to .pdf and Print.

Note: if you click the "Save Paper" box, it will turn all of your photos to get the maximum number of photos on the contact sheet. You'd be able to see them, but you'd have to turn your head or turn the paper to see them at their normal orientation.

[LisaD]

Do check out digiscrapinfo for ACDSee. You can pick various styles of organizing or make your own. So as detailed or as simple as you want.

[maureenreynolds]

Thanks so much Sara. I can see I really haven't taken advantage of all of Iphoto's abilities.