MAC Users...Some advice needed on organizing software, please!

[1access]

So, now I have a Mac. What do you suggest I use instead of my PC ACDSee organizer for my scrapping supplies? I'm such a newbie to Macs that I'm truly clueless. I do know that I'm not a beta-software kind of girl---I don't like to find problems; I just like my software to work so ACDSee for Mac is out. I like to keep my kits together but tag them out to kadzoo so I can find anything I want. I hate to lose all my tags from ACDSee but I don't think another software program will read them. Thanks for any and all help!:help:

[idtwinmom]

What software do you use to scrap? If you use PSE or PS, Bridge comes with and is pretty handy for organizing. I barely used it when I was using PSE, but have gotten more comfortable since switching to PS. Can't remember if it did everything in the PSE version that my new one does, but I do know you could tag things. Lauren Bavin has a tutorial on her blog about Bridge that may help. If I can find the link, I will be back to edit this post.

Here is the link: http://create4u.blogspot.com/2008/11/technique-tuesday-smart-collections-in.html

[Poffles]

I made the move from PC to Mac about a year ago - but I at that time I didn't do a whole lot of digital scrapbooking and didn't have a lot of supplies accumulated yet. When I transferred my files over my digital elements went into Iphoto - but I didn't like how that worked. I am using Photoshop Elements 6 with Adobe Bridge now and I can tag my elements in that program. I'm not sure if Bridge will recognize previously tagged files from another program or not. I agree it would be a huge job to retag everything! If you're not familiar with how Bridge works (not sure what editing program you are using) there are some good tutorials available here:

http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/?id=vid0233


Hope this helps!

[faerywings]

I know that you said you didn't want to deal with the beta, but i know that a lot of people had good experiences beta testing Pr 2.5

http://www.acdseepro.com
Just in case.....:)

[1access]

Thank you all so much for your informative replies!

[debilou]

I use Shoebox... Which comes from Kava software....

If you buy it through Jessica Sprague she gives you $25.00 off the price...and lessons are included in the price...

If you get it, I highly recommend taking the lessons....

I think it works great on the Mac...

[omio]

So far, I'm still organizing with iPhoto Version 7. Personally, I like being able to keep the kits as separate events. What I absolutely do NOT like, though, is that iPhoto can't handle pngs well -- a real issue. I sure wish Apple would get on the stick and get that right.

So...my helpful answer is that I'm still wandering around looking for a home... :o

[debilou]

Omio, That's why I switched to Shoebox... on the Mac...

handles .png's.

And, I set it up so that events are in there...

[omio]

Hmm, maybe I need to look at it again. Is it a long-running app? I'm always nervous about doing so much organizing with something that might not carry over to future versions of OS X. How long have you used it?

[debilou]

I've used it since about December of last year....

So, only this operating system...

Don't know if it will carry over to SNOW Leopard which is supposed to be the next release...

[pankerbelle]

I have never tried it but I know that Chronos makes a program called iscrapkit. I have and sometimes use their iscrapbook program. I have a love hate relationship with iphoto. This week I am trying to organize the 70k (no joke) pics on my mac, its becoming a nightmare.

[debilou]

I don't envy you... I have quit using Shoebox... don't really like I Photo... for digi supplies..
It does not handle .png files...

So, the choices are Bridge or Iphoto.

I tried Picassa - but it is in BETA for macs... don't try it.. big mistake... it is not ready for macs.. long story.. but it corrupted many files... good thing I have time capsule hooked up.

[faerywings]

if you go to http://community.acdsee.com/forums/forum/acdsee-beta-programs/acdsee-pro-for-mac,
you'll see some of the input and discussion on ACDsee for Mac.
You will be able to get a better idea to see if this is something you are looking for.
It is slow right now, but I think it will pick up soon.

[debilou]

I won't try anything in a BETA state...

once it's out of BETA and released... I'll might try it... but not until then...

Picassa was in Beta for a Mac and really screwed up some files for me...

[omio]

I think this is the second time around on a Mac Beta from ACDsee. Like Debi I don't use Betas because I've been burned. :annoyed:

Version Tracker shows a Beta in 2001 at http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/8020. Still working on the same Beta? Dropped the project and starting up again?

Think I'll wait and see. :D

[omio]

Hmmm...I must have signed up for Beta info at some point because I just got an email with a link to the new Beta -- ACDSee Beta for Mac (http://www.acdsee.com/offers/proformac/?fc_c=1925698x4670958x371664767)

The email very clearly states to use test images only. Posted link in case anyone is interested. Right now I don't have time to organize my images for real so don't think I'll be playing with test images for the publisher. :D

My inclination is to stick with Bridge even though I'm not fond of it. Plan to stay with PS, though, and it's a relatively safe bet that Adobe won't be going away any time soon. Of course in the current economic climates there aren't a lot of safe bets. :rolleyes:

[debilou]

I just started organizing in Bridge (CS4's version)...

Not my favorite Organizer....

But, it works....

I'll wait until ACDSee comes out of Beta before I personally would give that a try...

[texas mom]

I use iphoto, and I downloaded Iphoto Buddy which lets you have multiple libraries. I have a library for each years' photos, a scrapbook kit/supplies library and a pages made library. I like that I can tag everything for searching purposes. I'm not using PSE because I've heard the rumor that it can get bogged down and move slowly if you have a lot of items saved. Otherwise, I would use it because I love their tagging system

[scamptx]

New Mac owner here! I was reading about multiple libraries, and that sounds like it might be a help with organizing everything, but the png stuff is still an issue...

Waiting to hear more!

[texas mom]

png is a pain in iPhoto, but as long as you tag sufficiently it helps.

[Frito]

I have been using Keyword Manager by Bullstorm. http://www.bullstorm.se/KeywordManager.php It seemed to be the missing organizational component that the PC Elements version has. It is about $20 and I have managed to tag my kits/ papers/ themes, etc.

[faerywings]

I just started organizing in Bridge (CS4's version)...

Not my favorite Organizer....

But, it works....

I'll wait until ACDSee comes out of Beta before I personally would give that a try...
deb- so far the beta feed back has been good- looks like most people are finding it to be fast!
Here is link to a thread with some initial feedback, if you are interested:wave:
http://community.acdsee.com/forums/topic/initial-thoughts-and-comments

[debilou]

It might be... but it just took me FOREVER to put my stuff in bridge..

so far now... that's where I'm staying...

I really don't have a huge reason to change.

Let me know how it goes...

[scamptx]

I'm going to look into Keyword--I was sitting next to RuthAnn at the Des Moines crop. Of course, she's faster and an experienced Mac user...:D Not sure I could keep up with her!

I really liked ACDC on my Dell, so I'll be watching the beta. I'm too new on my Mac to experiment until it gets into production, but I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed!