What do you do first?

[tjscraps]

When you unzip new goodies - what's the first thing you do after that?


I usually rename the folder (kit name - Designer name), tag it with my color system in my Mac, and then combine the folders that I want to combine - i.e. if there's more than one element folder or more than one papers folder I'll combine them.

[AmieN1]

same- rename and then combine folders- I like all the papers in one, all the alpha folders visible and all the ellies together. I then put the folder in my CT WORK folder or my TO DO folder (for non ct work)- then I move them onto my EHD for storage after I've used it.

[nietis]

I rename and put elements & papers in one folder, then move the folders for alpha, cards, etc. into the said folder. Afterwards, I'll set up the previews to show on the folder.

[Brendazzle]

I have 3 sets of folders: papers, elements, and templates. Within each one is a folder for designer and in that are sub-folders for kits (and within kits are usually a folder for alphas).

So I have:
1) scrapbooking > papers > Studio Liv > Very Merry
2) scrapbooking > elements > Studio Liv > Very Merry with scrapbooking > elements > Studio Liv > Very Merry > Very Merry alphas inside
3) scrapbooking > templates > Studio Liv > Very Merry

Sometimes I put everything away before I let myself scrap, while others I just put away that one kit and then immediately start playing. I always have those folders open when I scrap (and when I use 2 kits, I have 2 sets of paper folders and 2 sets of element folders open... at least until I crash Windows Explorer).

I also put the kit or template set on my scrapbooking spreadsheet, if applicable. I have categories for holidays, seasons, travel/adventure with sub-themes (beach, hiking/camping, roadtrip, etc.), general themes (reading, food, horses, space, etc.) and a separate sheet for specific plans I want to remember (such as "use these templates to scrap the drive-thru holiday lights"). It's organized chaos but it works for me.

[MamaBee]

I move all the papers into one folder, all the elements into one element folder... and then all the folders (alpha, cards, paper) into the element folder and that is my "root."

If templates - delete all files except for tiffs.

[HavaDrPepper]

I download all zips into a kit folder under the designer's name.
First thing I do when purchasing any kits is to record the date of purchase and kit name on a spreadsheet.
Then:
1 - unzip all the zip files right into that folder
2 - move all papers and elements into main folder
3 - if there is an alpha, I have the alpha folder as a sub-folder in the main folder
4 - copy the preview to the designer folder and rename to my naming specs
5 - rename the preview in the kit folder to "folder" if there isn't one already
6 - delete the unzipped folders after all items have been moved
7 - copy the preview from the main folder to a special folder elsewhere on my D: drive that is just for all the previews
8 - open Bridge and tag the preview as to theme (Bridge is set to only read this special folder)
9 - copy kit folder and preview to an EHD that has the same folder setup as my D: drive
10 - move the zip files on the EHD to a specific folder just for zips
11 - delete the zip files on my D: drive
12 - record date unzipped and copied to EHD. Note: If I don't unzip right away this spreadsheet is a reminder that I need to do this. In the past I have downloaded and forgotten to unzip files... this helps me remember! I also use this spreadsheet to record when I have downloaded camera photos and copied them to the EHD as well. The EHD is my backup of all my digital files.

[nesser1981]

Download & Unzip
Usually I just move the papers and additional add-ons in the elements folder.
Move that to the designer - year folder (so like KCB would be the main folder then 2024)
Tag it in ACDsee by Designer, Year, Theme
The put a copy in my "backup" folder, and once a month I'll move those into the correct spots on my backup harddrive.

[JillW]

I create a folder with the kit & designer name and save it to my desktop - unzip the goodies and stick them in the folder as they are (however the designer has them broken out) - and if there aren't individual folders from the designer I create new ones (paper / alpha / elements, etc).
I keep the folder on my desktop until I've used it and then move to one of my EHD's - (I have a SSD folder broken out by designer)

For templates I only d/l the format I use.

[aussiegirl]

I believe I am in the minority here!

After I unzip, I open up the kit elements to look at them larger, to get ideas on what I can scrap with it (colors, themes etc). I just like to look and see all the fun details you can't always see in the large preview.

I don't do anything extra with it until AFTER I have scrapped a layout. And even then, it's a once every month or couple months, when I will move it to both EHDs. I leave it on my desktop in my downloads folder for a while at least (making me know it's newer and if it's NON CT work, making me know I need to scrap with it).

[cherrygutz]

I make a folder to put all the folders in it like this:
CT-SSD-name of designer_name of the kit
Then I will rename the folders in it like, alphas, elements, papers, jc, etc.

[Kiana]

Unzip
All files into one folder [ Kit/Product Name] that goes into my designer folders
Then I hoard it ....lol
or use it if it's for CT work

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I download and then unzip before creating. I like everything unpacked from sub-folders, except for alphas or printables. I love having one big folder that I can just scroll through.

[tjscraps]

Unzip

Then I hoard it ....lol
or use it if it's for CT work


This is me too - unless it's for CTs lol Although I rarely scrap outside of CTs now.

[lizziej]

I first put all the downloaded folders under the appropriate theme folder.
I rename the elements folder with the name of the kit: Designer_NameOfKit-KIT (or COLLAB or BUNDLE or KIT + CARDS) so that I will know what is in there.
I then move all the other folders into that main kit folder.
Then I take all the papers out and put them in the main kit folder.
I do that with every other folder except for alphas, which stay in a folder.
Then I add an underscore at the beginning of the name of all of the preview folders so I can see everything at a glance.

I no longer keep anything separated by store and/or designer. After my stash started growing, I wasn't able to quickly find what I needed.

[bcgal00]

I save the zipped file in a new folder by kit name, under the umbrella of the store and designer. Then I unzip the files. I used to use the 2024 acdsee software which showed the preview of the kit but I think my computer is aging and it stopped working months ago with no available fix from the company. I am currently using a free version which seems to work (for now). I wish bridge would show previews, I find that faster and it never glitches but I can't figure out a way.

My files are backed up daily to backblaze.

[lizziej]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I download and then unzip before creating. I like everything unpacked from sub-folders, except for alphas or printables. I love having one big folder that I can just scroll through.

Me, too, Cheryl! It takes too long to click in and out of folders, and I like seeing everything that I have to work with. I do enough of that at work. LOL

[Cheryl Ashcraft]

Me, too, Cheryl! It takes too long to click in and out of folders, and I like seeing everything that I have to work with. I do enough of that at work. LOL

Yes! That's exactly right! You will now be crowned my unzipping cohort! :D

[lizziej]

Yes! That's exactly right! You will now be crowned my unzipping cohort! :D

LOL, Cheryl!

[craftytam]

When I unzip I move everything into one folder under designer_kitname. alphas go into a folder in this folder.

Then I rename everything so that it's consistent when I search for something (flowers, foliage, ribbon, paper, etc). It also makes it easier for me as I'm scrapping to have everything grouped.

For templates I only keep the TIF files and rename each template with the number of photo spots.

[Tracie Stroud]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I download and then unzip before creating. I like everything unpacked from sub-folders, except for alphas or printables. I love having one big folder that I can just scroll through.

I do the same! I like to browse the whole kit/collection when I'm making layouts. The only thing I leave in folders within the main kit folder are alphas and printables.