backing up data from Elements 7

I am using Elements7 and ever so often, when prompted, I do an incremental back up to DVD. When I check the DVD'd to see they have copied I notice all my images are there but all as single images i.e not in folders anymore. Can someone tell me if this is how it always backs up or can I alter things to keep my photos in their origanl folders, otherwise I end up with a load of images with just a number and file format for identification, e.g 2435jpg, 2354PEF etc.. Also even though I am using RW discs it never seems to let me add images to the previous dusc even though I suspect there is room.

It also backs up a directory, so any photos with a tag or in a collection ill be re-created as such if you need to restore your photos. You could just copy all your folders as well.

I use an external hard disc to keep all my photos rather than the computer itself. When I back-up I use another external hard disc, not dvd.

Any backup procedure normally requires a restore procedure to retrieve data, it's not just a copy job.

This is why I always do a straight copy of my Photo folder to an external drive. In that way I can easily find my pictures also on my backup drive.

On a related note, does anyone know how to make Elements 7 backup it's tag/collection info only? I backup my photo folders to an external hard disk (it's automated) but would like to keep the Elements 7 info as well - I don't fancy having to re-input all my collections/tags etc.

Just make sure that your Organizer catalogue is stored within the photo folder.

At least in PSE6 you can select the catalogue location under File/Catalog. I assume the same goes for PSE7.

Now I feel stupid Many thanks, that has worked a treat.

terje-l wrote:
Just make sure that your Organizer catalogue is stored within the photo folder.

At least in PSE6 you can select the catalogue location under File/Catalog. I assume the same goes for PSE7.



How would I do this, sorry for my ignorance

Hit CRTL+Shift+C in the Organiser to bring up the catalog box. Select the Custom Location button and browse to the folder you want to store it in. Select the Catalogs Accessible By All Users button, highlight the current catalog (called My Catalog [Current] by default) and then select Move, then select the custom location option.
You should then see a "My Catalog" folder in the new location.

That sounds easy enough, thanks John. Can I just ask would it be OK to save it it My Pictures folder? Or should I create a special folder? Now when I back up my images will it save them all twice? See I am not really sure what this catalouge is/does? What am I gaining by doing this?

Again, many thanks

Hi John -

The Catalog is what stores your tags, keywords, sub-caegories and version sets within the Elements organiser. If you just back up your photo folders and the actual files within them (i.e. burning a copy to DVD every so often), if for whatever reason you have to re-install Photoshop Elements and then re-import your photos, all of the organiser information will be lost unless you have a copy of the catalog to re-import - you will have to go through all your photos and re-tag/organise etc.
By default the Elements catalog is stored within the Elements installation files which isn't that obvious a place to back up; hence moving the catalog to somewhere obvious (and My Pictures is ideal) so you can copy it to a DVD at the same time as backing up all your photo files. It's a personal thing, but I prefer the flexibility of a "burn to DVD" type back rather than the one built into Elements - at least I can just restore 1 file at a time if necessary rather than doing a complete restore.

Thanks John that has helped a great deal