How do you go about doing this when you use others' elements in your pages that you then display (websites, gallery, etc).?

I had considered an Excel workbook, used as a "inventory" - a spreadsheet for each type of elements and other downloads ("frames" "photo corners" "kits" "papers" etc) that would correspond to the folder name where the downloads are. Each entry would have the name of the element and name and/or screen name of the person who created the element in columns. Then, when posting to my site, I could add a blurb about who contributed to the page I created or specifics as in what particular element was contributed.

What do the rest of you do?

How do you keep track of where your elements come from? How do you "give credit"? Do you mention when you have altered an element (such as color, etc.)? Do you use full names, or SBB screen names?

Any other information you have on thsi topic would also be appreciated!

(I'm trying to get organized before I go "download crazy", so I will try the Excel idea I had, but can't wait to hear all of your ideas!)

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Jessi
Princess of Impatience and Erratic Scrapping

Scrapbook Designs By Jessi

Personally I catalogue all my photos and elements in PhotoShop Album. For the elements I add a comment that includes the creators name and the site I downloaded it from. If I can then search the comments for all elements created by a particular designer. PSA also allows you to add tags to your files, so for elements I have tags like paper, fibers, tags, vellum, metal, etc.

When I create a LO in PSE, I include all my credits in the caption under File Info. That way down the road I have a quick reference that is part of the original LO file of what I used. I also put in the fonts I used and a copy of the journaling.

When giving credited, I say something like "old wire created by Alison Folendore downloaded at scrapbook-bytes.com". If it's part of a purchased kit or CD, I try to add that information too. And yes, I will say that I recolored an element or that I used a BG paper as an overlay to get the end result.

HTH!

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Stacy
My Gallery

avatar photo by Marja Flick-Buijs downloaded at sxc.hu

If I download something I usually store it in a folder called like the site I downloaded it from, like SBB etc. and add the name of the creator to the name of the file, if it is not already there.

After trying out different things about the credits for brushes I now use AZZ cardfile for them. I create a file for each brush I download, insert a jpg image of that specific set (that way I can flip through all my brushes and see what they look like, too) and add the info where I downloaded it from. I find this very comfortable. I keep all those brush files in a "Brushes" folder, and can use AZZ also for storing quotes etc. that way.

Like fox-myers I also store all the info about a LO in the picture-info box in PSP. That way I have all the credits when I need them handy.

Rikki

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Rikki



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I only download kits, because I can't imagine trying to keep track of individual elements. I just find I use the kits more. So my answer may be more simple. Kits are saved with the designer's name in the file name (most designers already have it set up this way, but if not, I'll rename the file).

I have a small notebook sitting on my computer desk. When I finish a layout, I write down the title of the layout, what kit(s) I used, and the fonts I used. When I post the layout, I just use the notebook to know who to credit.

HTH, Kim

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Thanks for all the information so far! You have all been so helpful and I hope I hear from more of you about your organization habits!

The two question below are for Rikki:

Sounds like I could do something somewhat similar to Cardfile with the folder types I use in XP (they are enabled to show images on the folder), but I hadn't ever thought about including an image - what to you do, just save the image usually provided to see what the brush does when downloading brushes? Or do you use PSP to "imprint" the brush and then save that image?

Also, where is the "picture-info box" in PSP (i have PSP 8).

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Jessi
Princess of Impatience and Erratic Scrapping

Scrapbook Designs By Jessi

I create a notebook file with the same name as my layout with all the credits for a particular layout and keep all of those in a folder called "Credits". I just re-organized this today! SOOOO handy!!!

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*holly*

Cute avatar Holly

I also use my notepad, it isn't a memory hog so works great with PSP running.
I copy & paste the file names, fonts etc. that I used or altered. Trust me this is much easier to do while you are creating than trying to go back later. If I can't find who created it sometimes I won't use it. SBB requires your name in each file that you submit - which makes it soooo much easier to keep track.

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Dani B.

My Gallery!
My little Blog

You get to the info box with Shift-I. Then you choose the second tab, which is called something like "creator info", sorry my version is in german and I'm just translating as I go along .

Yes, I use PSP, create a small file and use every brush of a set once, save that file as jpg, call it the brush name and store it in AZZ cardfile and add all the infos about it I need. I love that program.

If you would like any more info about it, just let me know....

Rikki

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Rikki



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