Giving Credit - Remembering Designers after time goes by

[jenniferp417]

I'm not sure how to ask this. Since I've started, I've made six layouts in the last week. Right now, I can go back through my kits and freebies and stuff and figure out whose paper and elements I used, if I want to upload here or elsewhere. That's going to get really difficult when my paltry 4 gigabytes of papers and elements doubles, triples, etc.

Is there an easy way to store the page's "metadata" I guess you could call it, with the .psd file somehow? So even if I go back six months from now and tweak the page to upload I know whose stuff I used?

[Kathleen]

I had the same problem! I'm not sure what program you use, but here is what I have done ... in PS and PSE, after I have finished a LO, I go to File > File Info you can edit the metadata that STAYS WITH THE FILE. I add the designer and kit name to the Description field and save it. Added bonus, not only does the info stay with the PSD file, but if you save as a JPG it also stays with that file!

If you are an Excel person, I also posted Giving Credit and Posting Links Made Easier (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28895) with some things I find helpful to keep track of kits and make posting links easier.

Hope this helps.

~ Kathleen

[jenniferp417]

Kathleen, that DOES help! I didn't even remember that PS had metadata that could be added. That's perfect. Thanks!

[jenniferp417]

Ok. I've added set information to several in the "comments" section in my trial version of PSE6. I can view that same information in my copy of PS7. That's "good enough" but you mentioned that the information would stay with the file even as a JPG - but that doesn't seem to be the case. Am I missing something?

[Kim1989]

I had the same problem! I'm not sure what program you use, but here is what I have done ... in PS and PSE, after I have finished a LO, I go to File > File Info you can edit the metadata that STAYS WITH THE FILE. I add the designer and kit name to the Description field and save it. Added bonus, not only does the info stay with the PSD file, but if you save as a JPG it also stays with that file!

If you are an Excel person, I also posted Giving Credit and Posting Links Made Easier (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28895) with some things I find helpful to keep track of kits and make posting links easier.

Hope this helps.

~ Kathleen

What part of the description field do you save it under?

[Kathleen]

I save it under File > File Info > Description > Description.

I debated using Description > Keywords because I think keywords is more searchable, but thought that would get too cluttered.

~Kathleen

[jenniferp417]

I'm putting them in file->file info->caption in PSE6 (PS7 is the same) - there's no general "description" box. It doesn't seem to carry over to the JPG. :(

[guitargirl]

My file info carries over to a full size jpg for printing, but NOT to the web sized. Maybe because I use "Save for web"??? :confused:

[Kathleen]

I opened a JPG (full size, high resolution saved for printing) file that I saved in PSE (I normally use PS CS3) and verified that indeed my file info shows in File> File Info > Caption.

So just to clarify what I do and the types of files I end up with. First, the PSD layered file (usually very large file size). Next, I have a high resolution JPG file for printing. And the third file I have is a low resolution image used to post at DSP or sending via email.

To get the high resolution JPG, all I do is File > Save As. Select JPEG from the Format drop down and give the file an appropriate name. When I get the JPEG Options dialog box I choose 12 (highest quality and largest file size) for Image Options.

Next, I tried to save it for the web. Starting with a flattened image (either the high resolution JPG or if you have the PSD file open, flatten the image first). The method I use is Image > Resize > Image Size. The in the dialog box (order of the following changes are important), make sure resample image is checked, then change the resoltuion to 72, then change the Pixel Dimensions to somewhere between 500 by 500 to 700 by 700, click OK. Next, you want to save the file - File > Save As. Make sure JPEG is selected for file type and give the file a NEW NAME, click Save. Now you get a dialog box for JPEG Options. Use the Image Options slider for quality/file size to adjust until you see an estimaged file size under 125 (in PSE this is given in the bottom part of the dialog box). Click OK.

Using the above method I still see the File Info in all three versions of my files.

Word of caution, pay attention to files that you are saving, the names, and prompts from PS/PSE about saving changes to a file. My experience is that lets say you start with your PSD file (that you have probably spent a lot of time working on). You go through the motions to Flatten and Save As ... and after you have done this I initially expects that would then be my open image. Often PS saves a file for you, but you still have your original PSD file open. So, when you close it you are asked if you want to save this file. My answer is usually NO, because then I would be replacing my PSD layered file with a flattened JPG image.

I hope all this makes sense! Post or PM for more clarification.

~ Kathleen

[mom2bsa]

A trick I use is to create a new layer of text on which I include the designer credits and list of elements used in the layout. Then I hide the layer. That way, it's always with the .PSD file.

[mommabyrd2003]

I keep track of layouts the same way. To make things easier as far as tracking products when I download them from the store/freebs, I keep each one in its own folder. I add a text doc to the folder called link and then enter the link info. I only have to do it once and the link is stored right with the kit, etc...

Just in case here's how you create the link - [url=web address for kit from store]designer name xzy */url*
replace * with []

[cats4jan]

If, I'm using a kit from one site, I label my file with the letters of that site and the page title - such as "DSP Family Reunion" - then on the layers, I rename them with the designer's name and kit. "Mary Summertime" "Sue School Zone"

If things get more complicated, I can use one layer as my credit layer - I label the layer "credits" - select the text tool and list all the credits. Then turn off that layer. When you want to know who's kit you used, just turn that layer back on.

As for fonts - I rename my text layers with the font name.

[Tara]

Or just upload your layout to DSP with all the credit information right after you make it...then you can come on here and look it up if you need to! :) I always mean to make a "credits" layer - - but I never do so I usually have to resort to checking DSP! :)

[sammdc]

hehe yes i cheat and look at the layout next too me

[KrystalW]

I use ACDsee and when I have finished the LO, I use the image basket to generate a file listing. This makes a notepad file, I add fonts used and save it as the same name of my LO. I then have a .psd LO, and a txt file with all the info. It may seam like a lot to some, but it works for me.