How do you guys organize your files / footage?

Hey creative people!

I was wondering if you guys have certain way to organize your files or folder structure when you have a lot of footage to work on as it really tedious to organize all your files when working on different projects.

I’m working on a project right now and I have tons of footage and my team had to come out with a way to stay organize.

Tips?

I used a script called Organizer, not sure what append with him and his creator..it was great.. http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/2/884710

My tip is to play it by ear, take each job as it comes and not to over-organise. Whenever I work in-house on a job, they have this spectacular, standard folder structure. I dread to think how many hours I spend, simply navigating this gargantuan maze.

In many respects, I think that naming is more important. Then, wherever you put something, you know you can find it by searching. Avoid names like temp.mov, thingamajig.jpg, final final final final version 3.4.332.mov etc. On a Mac, maybe use a couple of Spotlight comments in the file info window – these terms also get searched.

The thing that I always do is inside After Effects. I name my main comps with a ! in front of the name. That way, they jump to the top of the project window.

-f.

final final final final version 3.4.332.mov

hahahahahaha, great file name, I’ll put it to use. :)))

I use ”_” in front of main comp so it jumps on top

On the MAC i use an APP called “Post Haste”

SO GOOD !

Good thread!!

I do a couple things:

1- Have a working internal HD specific to all my files

2- Secondary HD (500 gig seagate USB 2 .0) for redundant backup

3- When working with large graphic files ALWAYS include smaller preview images

For example: I will have a folder called Envato and within that folder have the following:

_3docean _videohive _graphicriver

Within each of those I will have for instance:

_videohive

/stockFootage /motionGrapics /timelapse

Each project will be named specifically and follow the SAME structure throughout:

/vault02 /vault02/_preview

I agree no matter what system you use it must make sense to you and easy to follow and work with. Working with teams on various projects necessitates a clean work-flow. If I am sick or a member of the team is sick or out one day there is no problem finding needed files!

Keep it as simple as possible to serve the purpose and oh ya backup often

In stock footage:

StockFootage/Nature/Aquatic/Animals/Fishies2.mov