PSE Folder Structure

[JimY]

I'm at loggerheads with PSE's (3 and 4) system for filing images. I have both Catalogs and Catalog Folders folders. If I delete either in Windows Explorer, Elements recreates it when I re-launch the program. Is one of these the default for saving modified images? Is anyone aware of a comprehensive description of Element's filing structure? - Jim

[Bayla]

Jim,

Photoshop is pretty protective of its catalogs & doesn't let you delete them easily!

To delete a catalog, go to Control Panel>Folder Options>View>Show Hidden Files and folders then click OK. Now you should be able to go & find the catalog you want to delete. Go to My Computer>C:>Documents & Settings>All Users> Application Data>Adobe>Catalogs. Then you can right click the catalog you want to delete and click Delete.

I got this from watching the video on the following site:

http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=147

It's in chapter 2, Creating a Catalog, but it also tells you how to delete a catalog!

Hope this helps.

Bayla

[JonE]

Why not let PSE file images the way it is supposed to?

[TonyW]

You also need to be aware that the Catalogs don't store images - only thumbnails of images. You can save the original and modified images where you like. The reason it's recreating the catalogs is that it's recreating its database of thumbnails from the folders you've told it to watch.

Tony

[JonE]

Right, the images are where you told them to be. Note - if you want to move the images, move them using the Elements Organizer (or if you can stand it, the Editor file browser) - otherwise the database loses track of the pictures and you may have to reload them. If you do not use Elements and happen to move them to a watched folder, or a subfolder of a watched folder, then Elements Organizer will detect them again and prompt you if you want to load them. Otherwise you have to manually ask Organizer to import the photos. When you mess with the organizer folders and catalogs, you are playing with the program's database. which might not be wise unless you really know what you are doing.

[JimY]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will experiment and let you know the outcome. - Jim

[JimY]

After much fooling around, I am still left with folders titled "Catalogs" and "Catalog Folders" in Documents and Settings>All Users>Application Data>Adobe. I have removed and reinstalled Elements 4, and it recreated both folders. What is the function of these two folders? Did I mention earlier that I store images here rather than in My Photos? As always, I look forward to your comments. - Jim

[JonE]

Respectfully, it's best not to mess with the folders PSE set up. It's best to store your photos in My Documents>My Pictures or somewhere in My Documents where all your user data should be stored. If you move the photos, move them using the organizer File>Move so the organizer can keep track of the photos, otherwise it will lose track and it is tedious to reconnect all the photos to the catalog entries, or to start over.

PS: (added later) that is where PSE stores the catalog or index of the photos you have imported into PSE. It is a database type file. Do not delete it or it will eliminate your catalog and you will have to start over from scratch.

[Ward Grant]

JimY

I think (but am not sure) these folders are created automatically by the program on launch. If they don't exist, the program recreates them. I don't know if this can be easily turned off.

I still use Version 3, but my Catalog folder has my current catalogs (both my main one and some test catalogs).

I never looked at my Catalog Folders folder until tonight. It seems to have files related to any catalog I have ever created, even those I have erased at some point. There is one folder for each catalog with at least a file of the thumbnails for that catalog. For those catalogs that had Tags or Collections there are some TagStatus and CatStatus.dat files.

That is the extent of my knowledge on Elements file structure.