How do you organize downloads

[mommyofthree]

Ok, I am new to this when you download digital kits do you then break them down and put the papers in a seperate folder, accesories, etc. Or do you leave the kits together?

[its_me]

Yeah, this is every newbie's issue (me!!!). This is difficult to answer because it really depends on YOU. For me, NO WAY am I taking the time to break down the downloads. NO WAY! Not only that, then you have to remember where you got them from so you can credit the designer (who knew?!). BUT I DO want to see all my goods of one type together when I'm getting ready to work on a project. The 2 don't mix unless you are using a separate organizer program (pse organizer, acdsee, iphoto, bridge or others as i'm learning).

So I'm actually importing everything into an organizer (iPhoto for Mac) to accomplish both of my wants. This is my hap-hazard process right now. I'm trying to tweak this to be more manageable so if anyone has any input on how they do it, fire at will!

1. download (like mad from everywhere! lol!)
2. organize the download folder by name of designer. I actually keep the blog page or store page open until I get back to organizing so I make sure to get proper credits in order. So I dump all the diff digigoods into appropriate folders by name.
3. move all didigoods folders and contents to my external hd under my digigoods folder.
4. import into iPhoto and then tag away.

Because I have the folders on my exthd labeled by designer, my EVENTS are imported by designer and I don't need to tag each thing by designer or store (i might change that tho). I go thru and tag things for papers, embellishments, tags, word art, holidays (if appropriate) and general colors.

I'm not sure how this is working for me yet tho....it's rather cumbersome and time consuming but maybe that's cuz I'm learning my Mac as well.

hth you some anyway!

I would LOVE to hear how others are managing their download process.

[Bayla]

I'm using ACDSee for organising all my digital kits. I have a scrapbooking folder on my HD where I keep everything under designer name, but then I open up ACDSee and tag things according to colour, papers, elements, frames, overlays, brushes etc. It's also easier to see those png files as you can colour the background which makes them stand out.

Bayla

[its_me]

ok, bayla! No fair giving such a simple and CLEAR answer. Now I really know I babble. LOL!

[cats4jan]

Bayla - want to come over and "play" - your method must really help you find things. I'm jealous.

I put things under site - and under each site - I put things under designers names.

I tried breaking kits apart but then giving credit to the artist was almost impossible. And, if you keep your kits together - you can find all the matching things from the kit - all in one place.