Patterns here, Patterns there....

[NMScroller]

How do you store your magazine insert patterns? How do you store your purchased individual patterns?

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is the best way to store my patterns.
I have just recently converted one of my patterns to .pdf, but the logistics of converting my whole collection just for the off chance I might use some of them again later seems overwhelming. However, this is a wedding plaque with lettering and the ability to quickly reprint letters seemed useful.

Brian

[greatdane2]

I use Paperport program, I scan and store them. Paperport is an easy program to use, which is a must for me. I think it is meant to be a document storage program. I find I can set up an index, say for Intarsia.In that folder I can list dogs,cats or whatever. then those can be broken down into groups, say sitting or running. I also change the size of patterns,and so keep them as well.
EX. Intarsia/ dogs/Great Dane/sitting/ears natural/100%size/ pattern 8x12".

Further I number everything,
EX. 100 Fretwork
200 Intarsia
300 Woodburnig
400 Shop Jigs
so in 200 it will show 213A.75%
2=Intarsia
1=Great Dane
3=sitting
A=(the first pattern stored.
75%= the size ( if I scale a pattern up or down I save it.
I also scan the cover and index of all woodworking mags. It makes it easy to find an article a lot faster.
I also file my magazine and patterns in a file cabinet. I lost all my woodworking stuff a few years ago,( I think a foster kid deleted everything on my computer) so now I keep hard copies of everything.
A long winded reply, hope it helps.
Alan.

[sgimbel]

I use the computer with cd/dvd backup. I also scan everything into the computer as jpeg. That allows you so many advantages if you want to take it into another program and manipulate it. PDF files won't open in most programs. I have files and subfiles and when it gets worrisom in the computer I make backup of all those files on cd/dvd. If you store the cd/dvd right they will last forever. For anything that is larger that my scanner flat bed to read (legal) then just stick it up on white whatever and take a picture of it. Then download the pics into the computer and eventually back them up too. It's a very simple process once you get caught up with everything. I also scan any pattern books I buy along with the front and back covers and any special instructions. I make each book it's own file. I started doing this with my stained glass so the scrolling just came naturally. One small folder holds 25 up to hundreds of cd's/dvd's. Easier to store than a ton of books.

[jigsue]

I use external disk drives to store patterns. Pattern books, I keep on a shelf in my workshop, magazines etc are kept in a cupboard in the workshop, copied patterns in files in the workshop. They would only be stored electronically if I had scanned them to make copies, in which case I would store them on my external drive. I have nearly filled one external disk drive with my regular back-up, photographs, music and patterns, I intend to buy further external drives - use one for music, games and videos, and one for photographs and patterns and a small one just for my regular back-up.

Sue

[Janette]

Most of the patterns , I try to put into pattern wizzard so I can print copies as a hairline. For my paper copies - I was lucky enough to get my hands on an engineer's workstation when hubby's office closed so I have big wide drawers that I toss them into. had to saw the desk in half to get it out of the office but it went back together pretty good!

[greatdane2]

A lot of paterns a re to big to scan in 1 go. I law the patern out and using a plane piece of computer paper A draw red dotted lines just small than that paper. Then scan the pattern inside those lines. when it comes to printing either smaller, larger or the same size I tape the first page to my sliding glass door. and start adding the rest of the pattern. I cut the overlap down to 1/2" and scotch tape on both sides.This allows me to have a piece that ended up on 2 pages be reproduced back in the proper shape.
I also use a light table and redraw all patterns in red ink before scanning. I find it a lot easier to cut on a red line than the usuall black.
I use a Cannon printer because it has seperate ink containers. I only use the printer for my woodworking and my last printer had a single replacable carttridge and that got expencive, when just the red ran out.
I am still trying to get one of those old file cabinets they use to store maps and charts. They have 5 or 10 drawers just 2" deep. perfect for patern storage.

[Wood Dog]

I leave the patterns in the magazines they came in. Downloaded patterns are on my USB Thumb drive, and those I print from those sources I usually make 2 copies....one to cut, and one to store in a file cabinet in my shop.

[minowevie]

Ok, for me, all the patterns in the magazines stay in the magazines. I do make copeys. and store them. but as for the ones I order, I always make copeys. and save the oreganal . sometimes storing them flat in a drawer, and the big ones storing them in tubes. like the ones you get xmas papper on. just save the tubes and roll up the pattens. that way they will not get that folded crease in them. also no light. you can stand them up in a box. or a diffetant place where you can get to them easyly. you can right the name, and pattern on them or # them and have a directery. I keep my copeys in the shop ready to cut. keep my oreganales in the house. I don't think I would ever keep my patterns on the pc. I just don't trust it. if I loos them they are gone. soooo thats how I do it. your freind Evie

[muzzleloader]

I voted "other" because I do scan them into the computer so I can print copies, but I also keep the originals by placing them back inside the issue they came out of (Those "How To" articles can be important) then put the magazine in a plastic tote with a snap lid.

[Daryl185]

technically I use both computer and filing cabinet those patterns I down load I print a master out and file it in with the rest in my cabinet