I'm sorry if this exists somewhere, I haven't figured out how to search history here yet... I have embird so I can see icons for my designs, and right now I have them in folders, but it just seems they are all over the place. Single designs here, copyrighted ones here that I can't sell, folders that I can't see whats in them till I click on them. I've only been collecting for about a year. What am I going to look like in another year if I don't fix this mess now.... How do ya'll handle this pyramid of electronic stuff? (I'm so lucky its electronic and my hubby can't see it - the garage is already bad enough!)

Graet question, it is very important to do that well since the beginning.Otherwise, you will be like me, with so many designs badly organized.

I use Stitch Buddy to view files on my MAC. You can download a free demo at this website. http://www.stitchbuddy.de/
Here are some screen shots showing you some of the views you get of designs on the mac using Stitch Buddy. This is the same folder of some of my FSL files from one of my favorites, Cutie Yoriko's site. mygardened.com (She has great specials and you can download a nice and free letter each day.) The third image is what you see if you double click on any of the images. I chose the Koala because it is Australia DAy tomorrow and Yoriko is from Australia :-)
See how nice it is! SB is still under development and can't save in PES yet, but I really don't use it for that, though. I should have included my favorite lightning bugs - bummer!

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I use Stitch Buddy to view files on my MAC. You can download a free demo at this website. http://www.stitchbuddy.de/
Here are some screen shots showing you some of the views you get of designs on the mac using Stitch Buddy. This is the same folder of some of my FSL files from one of my favorites, Cutie Yoriko's site. mygardened.com (She has great specials and you can download a nice and free letter each day.) The third image is what you see if you double click on any of the images. I chose the Koala because it is Australia DAy tomorrow and Yoriko is from Australia :-)
See how nice it is! SB is still under development and can't save in PES yet, but I really don't use it for that, though. I should have included my favorite lightning bugs - bummer!

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Still working on that. Welcome to the family. DeVon

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by katrinasheffield 26 Jan 2011

I used to have a kitty that looks like yours. She was my fave. Her name was modem. We lost one cat to cancer after having her for 12 years, and then Modem died shortly after, apparently of a broken heart. They had been together almost their entire lives.

I'm really glad to be here :) Thanks for the welcome - sorry for the sob story!!!!

Hi Katrina, Welcome to Cuties. This is my favorite place to go when I need comfort! My house is a wreck, but my embroidery files are really organized and I can find exactly the file I need in a flash. I organize by topic only. I have found it helps to label each design carefully also. I uploaded a screen shot of the files I use and for example used the subfolder of my Garden folder and a subfolder of it of scarecrows. I use a Macintosh Computer, so they will look a little different, but this can also be done on a PC. I use Capitals for the Main Folders so they are easy to identify when I am in the folder. Since I started using this system (and since these files were created) I try to keep the last four digits of the original file name, sometimes I use four alpha identifiers of the site also, like I should have used something like scarecrowCute1234.pes. That way I can still search for scarecrow if I want, or I can go to the folder with scarescrows, or I can search for the four numbers, or I can search for Cute. One way or another, I'm going to find the file! I make sure sets of designs are numbered consecutively so they stay together. I Also do keep some folders that are by the designer. I love Yoriko's FSL, so I'll use that as an example. I have a folder of her ornaments. (see second image) I also have a folder of all of my purchases from Embroidery Library by number within categories - I have the computer space, so why not? That way sets are grouped. (For sets I also use Aliases but don't ask me to explain that here!) Sorry the images are so large, but to read them they have to be. If you download the image, they will be easier to see. Each of the main categories has subfolders specific to that category, and I would be happy to share if you would like. Hope this helps and feel free, anyone, to pm me if you want more clarification, or the subfolders, or sub, sub folders. I have about 22,000 Alphabet Files and 45,000 other design files and I can find the exact file I want within one minute! I am NOT an A personality - really! Jan

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Amazing - I too have a mac - but I only use it for searching and "other" stuff. I have a PC for my embroidery. I do have parallels - but I hate it. So how did you get the picture to show up? It that a jpg or is it software? I'm totally impressed!!

by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Do you use your mac for embroidering? If so how? I gave up - just because I hated parallels. Is there another way to do this? Of course - I have embird and I don't think it works on mac.... yet.

by hightechgrammy 24 Jan 2011

I do use Parallels, and then WindowsXP and Brother PE Design5. It works pretty well. But, I really, really don't like Windows. Everything is just awkward, when Mac is so easy. I use a wonderful program on my Mac called Stitch Buddy that enables the user to really view the designs in great ways, not only in this view, but even better in the next view. I'll post that in another post here in a few minutes. I'll also show you what I've done with the alphabet files.

Go to the left on this page and search the "all topics" tab. Enter "organize".
You can also add tabs to a post. From where I am (answering your post) I see a tag with +add next to it under your message. I will click it and add "organize". Then next time someone searches "organize" your post will also come up.

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Thank you thank you!! I'm learning so much today. Such a happy day :)

I have mine in a folder by website - one set of folders for things I got as freebies and one set of folders for things I purchased. Some of those folders have sub-folders for sets to keep the set together. THEN, I use an organizing software where you can sort by categories, etc. I purchased Ann The Gran's Catalog Xpress but the Buzz Tools software is very similar. It lets you see pictures and details about the design and you can make as many categories as you like - even put the same design in more than one category. It also shows you the location on your computer of the file - that way I know where I got it from too. Not matter how you do it - not a fun job to "catch-up".... I have done quite a bit of my "stash" but am way behind again anyway!

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

I don't think I will ever catch up. I have a duplicate stash just in case my usb drive takes a dive (I had a cat land on mine one day and break it - oops) and I realized today that they aren't in synch anymore and I have no idea whats what. Lovely! I wonder if I could pay my daughter to do this for me?

You can download the files here for free. Hope it is what you wanted, go to http://stitchfun.com/news_101227....

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by babsie 24 Jan 2011

Sorry, forgot to say welcome to cute. Hope u'll be as happy here as the rest of us.

by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Thank you for the welcome :) It is what I wanted - I'm finding I'm just not good at it! I have been deleting file types I can't use but its really hard. I just keep thinking "but what if I get that new machine that I really want" - duh I have software that will convert my file types - its ok. Just hit the delete key. I'm such a pack rat!

by hightechgrammy 24 Jan 2011

Katrina, We're all pack rats You can keep the other files types, but just put them in a different folder.

Welcome tot he CUTE family Katrina. I put my files in the designer name - then subfolders - it helps me to remember where and who created the lovely designs I enjoy. All designs are copyrighted! A note whether you might be able to sell or not - might be easier in a folder - rather than to put them all in one folder - just my humble opinion. I have one folder - just for my embroidery - name Embroidery - then under that I have folders - with the designers name - CUTE & etc. - then subfolders - as the designer has their site set up - usually.

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Thank you for the welcome and the help :) I just want to make sure that when (and if) the time comes - I'm able to give proper credit for where I downloaded my designs from - especially my new cutie friends!!

As much as I try some of my files are still
helter skelter....good luck getting organized and then keeping them that was.

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Thanks - I need it :) I'm really failing at this... Never give up!!

for me it is a little less stressful, since I am not planning to sell at all ,I do not worry about copyrights, I have a folder and then subfolders

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

For the most part - if I noticed that something said I couldn't sell - then I didn't download it - at least once I realized that some of the copyrights said that. I don't think I read the copyrights in the beginning. I'm just going to have to be very careful about what I choose to use if and when I get that store up and running!!

I am terrible at it. Wish I could be more organized.

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

That made me chuckle :) I am trying to be organized and I too am finding I am not good at it! But I have learned so many valuable lessons that I would love to put into practice - but the reality is I just don't see it happening in my house (like all my patterns in binders?? No way!)

Very poorly, lol! Sub folders within sub folders. Like, a folder for animals and within that a sub folder for copyrighted ones and a sub folder for ones you can't sell, etc. Good luck!

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by katrinasheffield 24 Jan 2011

Thank you thank you!! Everyone has had such good pointers for me. I'm trying to get myself straight - we will see what happens. Off to the embroidery computer!!