I have now reached a point wgere I have far too many images on my mac and the system of folders and subfolders is getting out of hand. I know many of you will be in a similar position.
I would like to organise them using some type of a database with lots of keywords so they can easily be cross refenced on any number of topics.
I tried this in appleworks but am unsure how to include the images. Does anyone have an effective system or can you offer any advice?
I have read several reviews of the PSE Album but feel that the tagging system may be too restrictive....am, I wrong here?
cheers
greg
#1
Photoshop Album won't run on a Mac anyway. A couple of us here on the forum use a program called QPict for organizing. It generates thumbnails, so all of the actual images can be stored in their original folders or on CDs, but it will open an image if the CD is loaded or the image resides on the hard drive. It provides pretty powerful search capabilities.
Here's the link if you'd like to check out what it offers:
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http://www.qpict.net/>
#2
Thanks for the link Beth.....looks pretty good. Unfortunately i can only access the net via an internet cafe from a pc. Is it possible to download the trial to the pc, burn to a disc and then transfer to my mac at home.....or will the file get corrupted in the process?
cheers
greg
#3
I also notticed in the specs that I think it doesn´t support photoshop layered files...is this correct?
greg
#4
Greg, I'm quite sure it does support layered Photoshop files. I can't think of a specific example, but many of mine are layed PSD, and I don't remember ever having a problem with any of them. QPict is just making a thumbnail when it creates the index, so layers shouldn't be a problem, and I know it supports PSD format.
I don't have a clue about a download to a PC and a move to a Mac. Try it. You can download the demo version, which is simply the full program with some features disabled. If you can download that and get it moved to your Mac and opened, you'll have your answer, and if you can't you won't be out anything besides a little time. You might have to do some more shifting when it's time to register, but if I remember correctly, the serial number is sent out via e-mail after processing the payment. The developer has always been very responsive when I've e-mailed him, so if you're having trouble getting the logistics worked out, I'm quite sure he'd help you figure out something.
#5
once again...thanks for all your info Beth!
#6
Greg,
You don't mention your system. If you have Mac OS X iPhoto should be on your system. I'm guessing that you don't have OS X. iPhoto is a good photo organizer but in it's current version, 4, you have to buy it as part of a package with iLife. You can look at it on Apple's web site. But it only works with OS X, so if you're on OS 9, you'll have to consider other options.
I personally found Qpicts to be quite complex and not very intuitive but that's just my experience. iPhoto was easy for me to figure out but Qpicts really baffles me.
Some folks like iView media, but I haven't had much experience with it.
#7
I tried Qpicts and it seemed quite good, but it had a strange conflict with something on my system and I had to get rid of it. Sadly, because it was what I wanted. So, still staying with OS 9, I finally had to invent my own photo sorting and cataloguing system, and it works pretty well. I do change it as I go along, but god-help anyone who would want to try to use it. My kids shake their heads, but I always come up with the pictures we want.
Jane
#8
Greg,
You can download Mac software on a PC and then use the download on the Mac ... I don't have broadband so if I want to download a large software file my friend who has a PC and broadband does it for me and so far I have no problems at all with it.
Wendy
#9
I bought iView Media ($30) and am currently evaluating it. It too makes thumbnails and allows you to store your images offline (on a CD). It allows keywords, categories, and "sets" (like albums.) It allows 8,000 images per catalog. I am breaking my collection up into 3 or 4 catalogs. It does support layed PSDs.
The time has come to get most of my photos off the computer to make room for new ones. iView is, so far, my choice for keeping a visual reference on the hard drive so I may be able to find photos in the future.
The PRO version of iView is $250 and much more robust.
Steve
#10
Thanks everyone for your advice....think i will try qpict at he moment. I found iphoto too restictive in terms of searching and once it gets lots of photos is very slow on my i book.
cheers greg
#11
I thought the new iphoto 4 along with the bundle was a very attractive deal for $50. Saw a review on it on tech TV with screen shots and definitely worth the upgrade. they say it's way faster than the previous version and lots more options to play with. 5 programs for 50 is cheap !
#12
I found iphoto too restictive in terms of searching and once it gets lots of photos is very slow on my i book.
Jodi's right about iPhoto 4. It screams with my 3200+ image library. If speed is the only thing holding you up then you might want to consider iLife 4. Depending on what iBook you have you may or may not be able to use any of the other iLife apps but IMO the speed improvement in iPhoto was well worth the $50.
Joe
#13
thanks for the advice....have been trialling qpict today and seem pretty happy so far....there seem to be so many ways to cross reference photos which is what i am really after.
cheers
greg
#14