: How do graphic designers backup all tools? I've just encountered a situation where, for the first time since I started designing, I am switching from one desktop to another with a completely

@Berumen635

Whether you want to do this or not, the way you are supposed to do this is just merge your old home folder into the new one. That is why these kinds of support files are in your home folder. There is an app that does this on new Macs, and likely there is a Windows app for this also, either built-in or 3rd party. Ideally, your identity would move from the old computer to new along with the home folder.

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@Murray976

The only items I move from an old system are:


Fonts. Fonts can be costly and are required when called upon by a client to edit a previous piece.
Client/Billing app database
Email database
A notes app and it's database (contains important passwords, registration numbers, etc.)


Beyond that, I install the OS fresh. I install all apps fresh and do not move any app preferences or custom items. As @DA01 commented, this encourages new directions and exploration. Not only giving the OS a fresh start but hopefully infusing the work with some of that freshy goodness.

Custom brushes, presets, workspaces, etc can all be recreated if desired. And in recreating items I may do a better job or find a different "tweak" that aides in workflow.

It should be noted that I always run a file/OS separation. My apps and OS are on one drive and everything else is on other drives. So there's never a need to move actual design files anywhere.

(Small rant: Be aware that with Adobe's CC subscription it means you need to re-download all apps. S0, for me, that's 12GB of download. It's not anywhere near as easy and nice as pulling out a DVD and installing apps in 30 minutes. And, you need to download again each time you need to reinstall an Adobe app. The subscription is horrible in this respect -- along with a few other reasons.)

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@Smith574

Everything you listed could be accessed or stored:


Workspaces: Go to ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Software/Version X.0/en_us/Workspaces to find your saved workspace
custom fonts: server software exists, such as Universal Type Client, that can be linked to all computers on the network and allows you to turn on and turn off fonts.
swatches: save them out and store them on a server or where you store the client project. I try to always save the color palette used for a project so if someone else needs to work on the project they have everything and can import it in
brushes: can be stored and import the brush you need for the project


Everything you talk about can be added to a NAS (Network Attached Storage) and you could simply add what you need. If you're not implementing a NAS they are a great tool for backups (hopefully not storing files locally).

A NAS I use personally: Synology DS414 or if you're a little computer savy and have a computer with 4gb of RAM you could try FreeNAS.

If you can't afford a NAS solution then simply use an external HDD. Some network routers that have a USB connection will allow for an external HDD to be mounted. I would store your files such as:

Fonts
Brushes
Color_Swatches
Workspaces
Palettes


If you are looking for a file structure hierarchy you could do:

Client Name
--Fonts
--Brushes
--Swatches
-foobar.ps
-foobar.ai


Since you mentioned you want to get into scripting and going towards CC check out how to do custom scripts in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. You can even do a few searches for custom scripts or ways to increase productivity. I enjoy writing my own scripts for InDesign and I'm using ExtendScript Toolkit that comes with CC.

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