Keeping a record of what you did?

[twoaussies]

Sometimes I end up with a great photo and dont recall all the moves to get there. Does anyone have a method to keep track of all your movements? I am trying to remember to label the fonts I use in the layer palette. Jean

[efarnstrom]

I find the best way is to write it into the File Info (under the File drop-down menu). There are lots of empty spots there. Of course, your photo info is already there.

If I use someone else's kits, I copy their copyright info there; or my copyright info. If I use a tutorial, I put the link to the website there. If I use a photo from someone else, it goes there. Also fonts.

At times, I create an extra layer, turn off the eyeball, and note the font name, such as you do.

[jojo99]

If you are very organized and don't forget (like I do) you could keep a folder of notes. At this link you will find a Step Log to print out....
http://www.arraich.com/ps6_tips_ssteplog1.htm
It would be one way of keeping track of the things you have done :)

[nkeevers]

I put my steps in the file info. That way I can always go back to that picture and know what I did.

[Byron Gale]

Jay Arraich provides a Step Log (http://www.arraich.com/ps6_tips_ssteplog1.htm) just for this purpose.

[Michel B]

One common question with Elements is how to record editing steps.
An obvious answer is using the layers palette. I am fond of this method, and I try to document each edit in the layers palette via an explicit layer title. I even create blank layers with visibility toggled off to record each step and the various settings. Whenever possible, I use an adjustment layer instead of a command: inverse, threshold... When I have to stamp visible, I keep the components with visibility turned off with a step order number.

But up to now, I found I was limited by the width of the palette title (cannot be changed in PSE6...)
Except I was stupid. Now, I have taken my layers palette off the palettes bin, and I can have a wide palette where I can record all my settings...

I am pretty sure now most edits can be recorded this way, and you can make a screenshot of the layers palette and save it, which is ideal for recording all the steps, showing it on the web, or saving with your final edited version instead of saving a huge PSD file!

[twoaussies]

I checked out the Step Log - think I shall make my own version of that.
Then I read Michel B's answer. I have 5.0 - how do I take the layers palette off the bin and where does it go.
Also how do I make a screen shot please, Jean

[Michel B]

I checked out the Step Log - think I shall make my own version of that.
Then I read Michel B's answer. I have 5.0 - how do I take the layers palette off the bin and where does it go.
Also how do I make a screen shot please, Jean
1- to move the layers palette (if it is in the palette bin) click on the layers palette title and drag into the workspace. Now you can resize it at will.

2- For a screen shot (Windows), use the Print Screen key on your keyboard. You don't see anything, but the screen image is stored in the Windows clipboard. Then in PSE6, use the menu: New, then 'From clipboard', and a new file is created. You can edit it and crop the layer palette and save it.

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Hi Everyone,

For years I had a problem with PowerPoint. I like the three-up slide reproduction with space to the right of each slide for taking notes. The problem is that you cannot type notes in this space. I use PowerPoint in my class and also to provide documentation to PSE procedures. Here is a method of killing two birds with that proverbial one stone!

Run the PowerPoint three-up handouts to a .pdf file. Read each page of the .pdf file into PSE. Use the text tool to provide the notes. And you have a very elegant solution to the note taking issue in PSE. Of course it takes a very OCD person to do such work:).

Here is a low-res example:

1974

Cheers,

Bob

[JulieM]

For a screen shot (Windows), use the Print Screen key on your keyboard. You don't see anything, but the screen image is stored in the Windows clipboard. Then in PSE6, use the menu: New, then 'From clipboard', and a new file is created. You can edit it and crop the layer palette and save it.

Sorry to interrupt this thread. Michel, I've always been able to do screenshots and open the file the way you described in PSE4. I've just installed PSE6 and after I do the print screen, the "from clipboard" option remains greyed out. Any idea why?

EDIT: Now I see it isn't working in PSE4 anymore either. I guess it isn't a PSE problem...

[Michel B]

I don't think either it's a PSE problem, more probably a keybord trick. It does mean your Print screen key is not effective.
By the way, the shortest and best way to do the print screen is by moving the layers palette away from the palette bin. (Click on the title bar and drag outside), then Alt Prt scr. This makes a hardcopy of only the palette window.

[JulieM]

I don't think either it's a PSE problem, more probably a keybord trick. It does mean your Print screen key is not effective.
By the way, the shortest and best way to do the print screen is by moving the layers palette away from the palette bin. (Click on the title bar and drag outside), then Alt Prt scr. This makes a hardcopy of only the palette window.

Thanks, Michel. For some reason, Print Screen is working today in PSE6 so I'm happy again! Thanks for the tip about moving the layers palette...