Scratch Disks in Photoshop

[sepia]

I have been getting messages on this computer (only 512 RAM, no partitions) that I need to move my scratch disks to a different physical drive. I know I can set up a dedicated partition, but I hate messing with this computer too much as it is a pain to reload, and I also lost my Norton serial number and the asses won't give it to me). So, no complete demolition and start over.
On my other computer that I use PS on, it has 2 gigs RAM now and no problems with scratch disks.
I have been doing some research on how to deal with this problem, other than save, save, save.
Anyone else have this problem?
I also have this computer about 90% full, seriously.

If anyone is interested, I can write out, or scan, what I have learned from the various PS books I own.

[DreamCaster]

The easiest way out of this if you're going to continue to use that particular system for PS is to add another Hard Drive and set the scratch disk prefs to that. If you're already at 90% of the total capacity, it'll only be a matter of time anyways :hide:

Also, as a general rule of thumb when setting up a system, it's wise to always partition your drives at least in 1/2 to keep your data separate from the Operating System in case anything goes wrong with it ;)

[Carrie]

How imprtant is the scratch disc?

I have no partician, and I have everything on the one Hard drive, and I have no problems.

[DreamCaster]

Depends on how much room is on it. If you're far from full, you shouldn't have any problems with it. It's just more efficient if you have a separate partition for it to use rather than the primary one (particularly if you're working with a large file) ;)

I've had a few .psds where I've gone over 100 layers and they've gotten a bit unruly. A word to the wise there: learn how to use layer sets for grouping layers together and get in the habit of properly naming them so you know where the heck everything is
:hide:

[Carrie]

Originally posted by DreamCaster
Depends on how much room is on it. If you're far from full, you shouldn't have any problems with it. It's just more efficient if you have a separate partition for it to use rather than the primary one (particularly if you're working with a large file) ;)

I have more than enough room, so that explains why I have not had any problems.


I've had a few .psds where I've gone over 100 layers and they've gotten a bit unruly. A word to the wise there: learn how to use layer sets for grouping layers together and get in the habit of properly naming them so you know where the heck everything is
:hide:

Yes I do. LOL. I think the highest I can ever remember going is 35( after the grouping). When Im working on different things, I ususally work on one thing, thats say 15 layers, and then I merge that into one layer before I move onto the next area. Theres only been about a handfull of times I have screwed myself 27 layers later and needed to change something. But its just as easy to delete that layer and start that area over again at the end.

[sepia]

Thank you DC.
I do have my OS behind a partition, but have left the rest to run wild. I have a removable external hardrive, but only one. If I get more space, I'll just fill it up more.
I also know that file allocation is more efficient with partitions for different areas, ie music, graphics, whatever.

I do label my layers, learned that in Illustrator, and always make a copy of the original, keep the original locked and invisible. But, I also prefer working with tiff files.
I nowe have almost all drives of all computers full, I just love collecting textures, brushes, stock, typefaces, etc. We won't even go into the damn music files and vid's.

Thank you very much. Oh yeah, when referring to grouping the layers, I'm kind of assuming you mean using layer and sub-layer sets. I find that as soon as I flattten or merge all, that is when I want to get rid of something.


BTW, do you have your site back up yet? I would love to visit it. And how was your trip?