crissx09 Loc: FL-USA

I have had problems with the Organizer in PSE since I start using it in edition 7. Now I am with the 15. The issue is when with no apparent reason, some files disappear from the bunch I am working with and the "missing file" sign appear and offer to reconnect them or, if you know the location, to reconnect them manually. I have been exploring how to do it but so far without luck. The funny thing is that in the many books about Windows 10 and even in the specific book written for Photoshop Elements 15 dummies, there is no mention about this "missed file" problem nor how to reconnect them, in short it is totally ignored. Not instruction on how to work with the "connector" tool neither. I know I am not alone with this annoying situation and I wonder if some one in this forum have found a solution, any solution. In my modest opinion, the Editor in PSE15 is beautiful but the Organizer is a pain...Please, any help..?

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I haven't been using PSE as long as you have, but I've always avoided the organizer because of these problems. I move my files around a lot before they end up someplace for good. Always done it this way and it works for me. I hear Lightroom has a much better organizer too. Others might comment on this. djt

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Is it possible you changed the location of the missing photos on your storage drive(s), consequently, the Organizer does not know their location(s)?
Mark

Kuzano

Whenever you move a file to a new location using windows explorer or some method outside the "organizer", you break the link that was made when the file was imported to the Organizer. When that link is broken, indicating the link is no longer connecting in the Organizer you must re-create the link.

This can happen when you move a file, or a group of files, without using the Organizer to affect the move.

Common problem, experienced by many users who do not adhere to the Organizer rule that you must only move or relocate files using the Organizer, else "broken links".

It will help if you understand that the catalog (nor the Elements program) contain your files. The catalog is simply a data file with links to where the images are stored in the Windows Explorer.

Once you start organizing your files using the Organizer in Elements, you must always move files and folders with the Organizer.

People who want to manage their own files with a system they created in Windows, or with another organization program should not use the Organizer in Elements. The down side is that Tags, Version Sets, and other features of Elements are functions of the Organizer.

When I use Elements, I go into the program files and disable the Organizer so that it does not work. I manage my own files in Windows Explorer, which now has all the tools as functions of Windows.

It's too easy to make an inadvertent move of a file, or files, and start getting the broken links problem. Then I may fix the catalog by deleting the one I am using and do another Import of all my files to create a new catalog. PITA.

The data base for files in Light Room works similarly, so be prepared for that when you drink the Kool Aid about Light Room.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

This article appears to offer the info you need:

http://helpx.adobe.com/elements-organizer/using/troubleshooting-catalog-issues.html

If you are interested in other suggestions for organizing your files outside of Elements, let us know (everyone has their own favorite way)

Siennarose46 Loc: Pacific NW

Could you be missing a step in the saving process. I am still on Windows 10, still using Elements 11 and have never had this happen.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

The problem with all 'organisers' is that once you start - you have to always use them.
As has been said, an organiser is a list or series of lists. It finds your files from where they are and simply saves the search path. If you delete the file, save as something else, save as in a new place, change its name or file type it hasn't 'gone' from your computer. It just can no longer trace it from its records.
Did I say delete?.....it should be now in your trash bin....it will stay there until you empty it or it becomes full....(could even be time specific)

If you haven't moved a file etc but have 'lost' some, then re-import 'all images' and tic the ignore duplicates box.

crissx09 Loc: FL-USA

To all of you: thank for your help. I think I forgot completely about the way the Organizer works but you opened my eyes.
I went to the link that Linda posted and explain what I need to digest.
The way Kuzano is handling is very appealing. I think I will go for that.
Again thanks a lot.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

I would be inclined to say that is what happened. If you move files you have to do it with the organizer, either Elements organizer or Lightroom's.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I had the same problem twice with PSE 10, and the first time I had to completely rebuild the Organizer files; that took a lot of hours and was a PIA. After the second time, I stopped using the organizer and use the Pictures Folder in the MS Operating System. When I installed PSE 14, which I mostly like, I told the Installation Program Not to install the Organizer and don't miss it except that the Organizer's program for downloading photos from the card to the computer was better (had more options) than the Microsoft program.

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

I agree with djtravels. I don't use the organizer at all just the editing part. I store my photos straight to titled files then PP them from those files.

conigk

I recently started using PSE Organizer on my Mac. Because of the volume of photos, my system was running very slow so I purchased a 2 TB external drive and used Elements Organizer to move all of the photos to this external drive although the program is on the hard drive. I too am having the problem of all of the files missing and I did the move using Elements. I could not find anything in the PSE help.

don26812 Loc: South Bay of Los Angeles, CA

Both Lightroom and the PSE Organizer's Catalogs are databases. They do not hold the actual photos, just pointers to their physical location. Thus in each case if you delete, rename, or move a photo outside of the program, like doing so in Windows Explorer, you destry that link. Lightroom or PSE can no longer find the image. This is one of the most common errors made by users of these two programs.

For those users who prefer to have their folders structured and are comfortable quiickly finding there images within that structure, the Folder View of PSE will make this very easy to do. The tagging and other organizing features can continue to be used as usual.

The following may also be of some help reconnecting images when using PSE.

Reconnecting Image Files

This command is one that hopefully you never have to use completely, because you have obeyed the Cardinal Rules. You have never renamed, moved or deleted files without using the applicable Organizer commands. However, I include it in this section, because you should check for files that need reconnecting periodically. I would suggest you run the command as described below weekly, if you are actively working with PSE 14. That way if some files have become disconnected, you will discover the problem quicker, and may even remember what you did that may have caused the problem. That will make reconnecting them easier.

As shown in Fig. 12-6, click on File > Reconnect > All Missing Files from the Menu Bar.


Fig. 12-6

After about minute or so, depending upon the size of your Catalog, the message shown in Fig. 12-7 is displayed if you have no disconnected images.


Fig. 12-7

If you do have one or more images that the Organizer cannot find, a Searching box like Fig. 12-8 appears and the Organizer will try to find the missing images and reconnect them automatically. Click on the Browse button in the search dialog to stop the searching.


Fig. 12-8

At that point you have several options on how to proceed manually to find the proper image and then reconnect it. Dealing with this situation is beyond the scope of this eBook. However, if you click on the Missing File link in blue, you will get some hints on how to find the missing files manually.

For expedience, I did not include the figures here. I believe if the steps are performed, the screens will be self evident.

I have found it to be a good idea to run the Reconnect command every one or two weeks. That way, if by chance you got sloppy, and broke one of the Cardinal Rules, you would probably remember what you did and would find it much easier to reconnect the missing images.

FWIW

conigk

Perhaps it is just me but I could not see the different figures referenced.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

DonS,

Quote: "...You have never renamed, moved or deleted files without using the applicable Organizer commands."

Is there anybody in the PS or PSE world who has not done this? Maybe that is one of the reasons I don't like the Organizer?