A simple and quick way to organize digital scrapbook supplies/kits and templates

My way of organizing digital supplies (that really works for me and its very simple).

I have been scrapping since the birth of our son. He is 15 years now. 

When I first started I scrapbooking I downloaded almost every freebie but never organised it correctly so when I started with a layout I never could find what I needed. 

I start using ACDSEE and really liked it. I tagged a lot supplies but then I got an error and each element suddenly had the same name. I could'nt correct it. 
Then I tried the PSE organiser but it slowed down my computer.

I developed a simple way to organise everything that really works for me and is quite simple. I can quickly find what I need.
I've been using it for years now. I have 5 external HD's and 1 homeserver with digital supplies, kits and templates.

Digital supplies (kits/minikits/element etc.)

I have organized all my digital kits/supplies by theme (see example beneath) 

Each folder contains the same subfolders: alpha, border, elements, fonts, frames, hybrid, journal, complete kits, minikits, mask, overlay, paper, QP, template, texture, wordart.

Digital kits

When I unzip a file a file I make one folder with the elements and papers and make sure the complete preview is renamed _preview. 

If there is a separate file for the papers I call it _pv paper  (this way its the first file in the kit and I see quickly 

If there's an alpha in the kit I keep it in a separate folder but the preview I call _pv alpha number or _pv alpha (if there are no numbers)

Digital supplies

If the element can be linked to a theme I put it in the right folder and rename it name of the folder like border, frame, wordart.

If the element can't be linked to a them I put it in a separate folder and rename it.

Templates
I sort my templates by photospots. Each template is renamed _preview

How do I search
I use the XYplorer (https://www.xyplorer.com/) to organise and search in my digital kits and supplies. It's a powerful file search engine. In this exemple I search for _preview in my folder TEMPLATE 1 PHOTO. 

When I see the template I want to use I double click on the image of the preview and with the right mouse button I choose open file location. The file location with the preview and the files opens automatically so I can start making my layout.

I hope this will be useful. I you have any questions or want to know more send me an e-mail: claudia_vanschie@hotmail.com or leave me a comment. Good luck organising and using the beautiful things you have downloaded!

PS: if you like freebies: follow me on Pinterest where I collect the beautiful freebies in digiland by section (i've also a section for limited freebies) https://nl.pinterest.com/clautje/lots-of-digital-freebies/