Credit Tracker

[DeepGirl]

Yay! I have always had problems with keeping track on credits if I was using more than one kit... even though I am usually a kit scrapper, I often use ewlement from here and there as needed.

Yesterday I bought and installed a credit tracker by Anna Forrest Designs and it's fabulous. You have to mark each kit when being accesed for the first time, but as I have the kits stored in e.g. E://Scrapbooking/_Sweet Shoppe Designs/Eva Kipler - Authentic/authentic_ep/, I just copy the artist name, name of the kit and store.

When you are finished, you just export the credits in BB code.

You can check the result here:
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com...75&ppuser=8181
https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com...77&ppuser=8181

[SirScrapalot]

Looks good, but I'm pretty sure you can't link to products outside of SSD.

[DeepGirl]

Thanks for letting me know, Aaron, didn't know it applies to the gallery, too (thought only the forum). I'm going to correct it right now.

[CA Dreamer]

That is very useful! I will have to check it out. Thanks for posting!

[strawberryredhead]

Yep! I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I just love it!

[mlrw70]

Okay, so I have my kits sorted into a Sweet Shoppe Designs Folder, but then I have each kit in its own folder. Should I change how I have them sorted?

[lovely1m]

I just open a document and type in what I am using when I use it.

[emmasmommy]

i also just keep an open notepad and credit as i go. i'd much rather do it myself than having to sort my stuff differently...but then again...i don't do change :/

[nun69]

Originally Posted by lovely1m

I just open a document and type in what I am using when I use it.

this is what I do

[Gabbina]

Credit tracker!? Didn't really know such thing existed... might have to check it out....

[KateD]

I tried having a text document open when I scrap, but it doesn't work well for me because I might add elements from 5 different kits, then delete some of them and I don't want to have to make sure I deleted all the elements from a particular kit while I'm scrapping.
I have a pair of tools that I use - the one I use the most is a script that renames the layer to the name of the file. Most designers name their files using their designer name & kit name, so I have a working list of what I've used right in my layers palette. The bonus to this is that my layers aren't named "layer 1", "layer 2", etc. They have more descriptive names. I rename my photos the same way, so I always know exactly where to find them. The second tool will make a text layer from all of the layer names, making a list of everything I used. I don't use this one much, though, because it's easier for me to look through the layers palette and type the list into a text document than it would be to edit out all the extra stuff that ends up in that list.
I really like that the script you have lists the fonts, Zora. Mine doesn't, and I often have to re-open my layout in Photoshop to figure out what font I used.

[SmallFry73]

Yes! I bought this about a month ago and I totally LOVE it! Well worth it! IMHO.

[aggiefamily]

I just place everything as a smart object and it retains the file name in my layers.

The tracker sounds cool but with my massive amount of scrap stuff I don't have time to sort it. I just got finished reorganizing!

[adrianka]

Originally Posted by KateD

I tried having a text document open when I scrap, but it doesn't work well for me because I might add elements from 5 different kits, then delete some of them and I don't want to have to make sure I deleted all the elements from a particular kit while I'm scrapping.
I have a pair of tools that I use - the one I use the most is a script that renames the layer to the name of the file. Most designers name their files using their designer name & kit name, so I have a working list of what I've used right in my layers palette. The bonus to this is that my layers aren't named "layer 1", "layer 2", etc. They have more descriptive names. I rename my photos the same way, so I always know exactly where to find them. The second tool will make a text layer from all of the layer names, making a list of everything I used. I don't use this one much, though, because it's easier for me to look through the layers palette and type the list into a text document than it would be to edit out all the extra stuff that ends up in that list.
I really like that the script you have lists the fonts, Zora. Mine doesn't, and I often have to re-open my layout in Photoshop to figure out what font I used.

Where did you get that renaming script? Or did you create it?

I'm the same way, I open dozens of files that a may delete later, so "write as you go" doesn't work for me. Neither does having previews open, as I sometimes work on a LO during several evenings. That script of yours sounds cool though.

[KateD]

I wish I understood how to script in Photoshop. I was a computer programmer in a past life and keep meaning to learn how to script in PS, but never quite get around to it with all the scrapping I want to do . The script was written by Christy VanderWall; I was going to PM you the link, but she's not at the store I purchased it from anymore. Her blog was the first 'hit' when I Googled her name, so you could probably contact her if you're interested in it. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[DeepGirl]

Originally Posted by KateD

I really like that the script you have lists the fonts, Zora. Mine doesn't, and I often have to re-open my layout in Photoshop to figure out what font I used.

I was surprised, too. It is exactly what I needed I had to re-open the layouts as well in the past

[scrapperjade]

So you just make your layout like normal, and it records your items with no extra effort on your part?

[adrianka]

Originally Posted by KateD

I wish I understood how to script in Photoshop. I was a computer programmer in a past life and keep meaning to learn how to script in PS, but never quite get around to it with all the scrapping I want to do . The script was written by Christy VanderWall; I was going to PM you the link, but she's not at the store I purchased it from anymore. Her blog was the first 'hit' when I Googled her name, so you could probably contact her if you're interested in it. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

But that's most helpful, Kate. Thanks a lot!

[mummytothree]

Originally Posted by emmasmommy

i also just keep an open notepad and credit as i go. i'd much rather do it myself than having to sort my stuff differently...but then again...i don't do change :/

word....i resist change so bad!!!

I also leave stuff open in ACDSee too but I know that won't work for everyone if they don't have it. I also like ACDSee too cause if I have to close done I can add stuff to my favorites folder and it keeps it nice and safe till the next time I come back to scrap!!!

[Sharon Kay]

I don't understand the need for it ... I just open CS3 and start a layout ... as I use part of a kit ... I just go to the folder (press F2, CTRL + C to copy the name) ... go to CS3 and choose FILE and then FILE INFO ... and click in the spot that says DESCRIPTION ... and save all the credits there. It holds the credit info WITH THE LAYOUT ... then when I post the layout in the gallery ... copy and paste the info from the description and I'm done! ...and I can easily refer back to it at a later date.

If that doesn't make sense I can do some screen shots ... just LMK.

[KateD]

Originally Posted by Sharon Kay

I don't understand the need for it ... I just open CS3 and start a layout ... as I use part of a kit ... I just go to the folder (press F2, CTRL + C to copy the name) ... go to CS3 and choose FILE and then FILE INFO ... and click in the spot that says DESCRIPTION ... and save all the credits there. It holds the credit info WITH THE LAYOUT ... then when I post the layout in the gallery ... copy and paste the info from the description and I'm done! ...and I can easily refer back to it at a later date.

If that doesn't make sense I can do some screen shots ... just LMK.

I know that I *could* do it that way (or with a text file while scrapping), but I'm just not wired that way. I know I'd forget to add the info for a few of the things I add. Plus, I'd end up with a list of everything I added to the LO (assuming that I remembered to add them all), but not necessarily everything that ended up in the LO since I tend to put a lot of things on the canvas that I end up deleting before the LO is finished. Having the layers named with the file name, I can just scan the visible layers after I'm done with the LO and see what I used.

[adrianka]

Originally Posted by KateD

I know that I *could* do it that way (or with a text file while scrapping), but I'm just not wired that way. I know I'd forget to add the info for a few of the things I add. Plus, I'd end up with a list of everything I added to the LO (assuming that I remembered to add them all), but not necessarily everything that ended up in the LO since I tend to put a lot of things on the canvas that I end up deleting before the LO is finished. Having the layers named with the file name, I can just scan the visible layers after I'm done with the LO and see what I used.

I'm EXACTLY the same way.

And I don't want to write anything down in the middle of a creative process. When I create, I'm immersed in it, I don't make notes.

Normally I can remember what I used within a few days of making the LO, unless it uses too much stuff, in which case I name the layers myself with names of products. Your way is so much better though. :-)

[myranalis]

Hello all - Anna here

First I just wanted say thanks for the mention - glad you're finding the script useful...

Also, just wanted to let people know that there is no need to restructure how you store your kits on the harddrive, but it will work best if:
1. all your scrap things are under one or two main directories
2. all files from a kits are stored under one directory (subdirectories for papers, elements alphas etc are OK!)

So on my machine I have all my scrapping stuff in on of two places:
- f:\anna\digiscrap
- My desktop (temporary storage cuz I've been to lazy to put it away!)

Each individual kit can be found together in this sort of stucture:
<kit name>
Alpha Folder (contains Alpha file 1 ... )
Element 1
Element 2 ...
Paper 1
Paper 2 ...

The actual path to any kit, or naming structure you use is irrelevant - the script will work just fine!

Please feel free to ask if you have any concerns how this would work for you!

Regards

Anna

[myranalis]

Originally Posted by Sharon Kay

I don't understand the need for it ... I just open CS3 and start a layout ... as I use part of a kit ... I just go to the folder (press F2, CTRL + C to copy the name) ... go to CS3 and choose FILE and then FILE INFO ... and click in the spot that says DESCRIPTION ... and save all the credits there. It holds the credit info WITH THE LAYOUT ... then when I post the layout in the gallery ... copy and paste the info from the description and I'm done! ...and I can easily refer back to it at a later date.

If that doesn't make sense I can do some screen shots ... just LMK.

Just to let you know my credit tracker application stores the layout's credits in the PSD as well. Personally I seem to use the save to file option cuz notepad launches faster than photoshop when I'm in the gallery The other option I've built in is to save the info in a text layer.

[KateD]

I finally broke down and bought this app a few days ago. Can I just say that it ROCKS!! I wish I hadn't waited so long to get it. The setup is really easy and there's no need to tag all your kits before you start using it. The first time you use something from a kit it will ask for the kit info. Too easy! <3 it!!