PSE 6 really S--L--O--W

[marnie]

Lately my PSE 6 is running slow. No, it's not my computer, I keep it in top shape (cleaned, defrag, etc.) I know the problem is TOO many files in PSE 6 that I use for scrapbooking. So my question is, how do some of you manage all of your files, you know, thousands and thousands, without bogging down PSE 6?

It is SO convenient having them right there at a click in PSE 6 so I know what elements / pictures I have to use. But it is aggravating now that when I "click" I have to wait too long for the program to respond.

Any tips, please?

[troush]

Marnie,

You don't have to use PSE's organizer. But, before you try something else, make sure you do a File->Catalog->Optimize to clean up the underlying database.

There are a couple of other programs out there that are quicker. Two that I know of are IMatch and ACDSee. You can simply drag the images from those programs to the PSE Editor and it will open them.

-Trish

[estherf]

Hi,
I find that V6 is slower than V5. I still keep my old catalog on V5 and there is approx 30,000 images on it. I started a new one with V6 and have only 10,000 on it.

So many things could be responsible. Do you have any watched files? Do you have a lot of added plug-ins?

Have you checked the performance settings? In the editor, under Edit>Preferences>Performance look to see if your setting is taking advantage of the available RAM. Mine is set at 78%. I know that V5 had this figure set at a lower amount and you had to change it to boost performance. I think V6 does this for you.

Someone who knows systems better than I will come along soon and give you some good advice, I'm sure.

[scrppn]

I never add outside files to the program itself. I keep a separate files for brushes, presets, filters (plug-ins), etc. Adding them to the folders within the program will slow it down also, and all you have to do is direct the program where to find them when you want to use them. I just set up a folder in my documents for My PSE files and then set up individual folders for brushes, filters, stylesl, shapes, etc.

[marnie]

Thank you for the info. I checked on the two programs Trish mentioned, but, oh my gosh, I'm not paying that kind of money to organize files.

I'll try the other suggestions.

So...if I install PSE5 and catalog my files there, then I can find them and use them in PSE?

[troush]

Yes, but you can't go backwards with your catalogs from PSE 6 to PSE 5 - all cataloging you have done in PSE 6.0 is just for 6.0 and later. So, if you install PSE 5.0 and use it to catalog your scrapbooking stuff, you'll have to re-do all your tagging and such.

-Trish

[ginnieg]

I know it may seem like a lot of money but if you have a zillion photos and kit supplies having this organizer will change your life. I have just recently downloaded it and have begun the tagging process. Boy, do I wish I had started with it sooner. I don't know how I ever lived without it. There are also some 'great' tutorials on line to help you get started.

You really should give it some more thought if you could possibly afford it.

I think I am dumping about half of my freebie stash....I look at some of it and wonder 'now why did I download that'

One things I have realized that designers out there are so talented that it is definitely worth the money to purchase their materials.

[msbrad]

I got my organizer on sale. The price wasn't bad at all.
So glad I have it too. I never was much of an organizer (in the program) type of person, I did it all in regular folders.
I will say my tagging with ACDSee is rather slow because:
1. I am slow
2. Oh, boy, do I have lots of digi stuff!:o

[ginnieg]

I got mine on sale also and it really made it worth it. I used to keep mine in individual folders and thought I had a pretty good system until I started a class on digital templates. I thought I would go crazy trying to find things. That is when I realized I definitely needed help organizing.

The upside is the great feeling it will be to know you can see everything you are looking for and not find it after you've finished and posted.

The downside is the six months it will take to tag and the carpel tunnel I am developing.

[kathylfeeney]

Trish,
I have read this thread twice and have tried very hard to ignore it but have been unable to. I am fairly new to PSE and have just recently (like yesterday) gotten everything into the organizer and tagged. I thought I would be a happy camper but I’m not. It’s slow. So against my better judgment I have downloaded a trial version of ACDSee. I haven’t played with it much but already like most of what I see. Before I get too far into this program I have a couple of questions I hope you can help me with. When I tag something in PSE, I’m tagging it into a category or subcategory. Tags are not the same in ACDSee? Are tags and categories different? The other question is about viewing everything at one time. In PSE I have four catalogs, Photos, Scrapbook items, Scrapbook pages I have created and Brushes. When I open a catalog in PSE I can scroll through all my photos if I want to without clicking on a certain category. Is this not possible in ACDSee? It appears that I can only scroll though a file at a time. Does ACDSee not have catalogs like PSE? One last question, is this really a great program, or as my 6 year old GD would say “To die for”? The thought of retagging everything thing I have brings tears to my eyes. But on the other hand, the slow PSE gives me time to drink too much coffee and them I can become a not very nice person.
Thanks for letting me ramble on and thanks in advance for any advice you can send my way.
Desperate in Illinois,
Kathy

[troush]

Kathy,

Sorry, I'm no help on ACDSee - I don't use it. I'm sure a google search will lead you to forums that can. This site is pretty much strictly Photoshop/Bridge and Photoshop Elements.

Make sure you have done a File->Catalog->Repair, and a File->Catalog->Optimize in the PSE Organizer before totally giving up.

Also, how many levels of tags do you have? I have seen comments over on the Adobe forums that can cause problems.

What are your system specs (memory, processor speed, disk space)? Each of those can affect PSE performance.

-Trish