Optimize process designing with Photoshop (or other Adobe apps)

Question

Hi
I am searching for a long time to optimize my process, and I want to ask you if there is a solution to what I am looking for:
1. can I create a custom panel in Photoshop CS5 where I can save smart objects? for later use?, I am working with Mini-Bridge, but I wonder if it is posibble to create a stand alone panel from Mini-Bridge for a specific folder (where I will save smart objects)? it is like the "Library" in other Adobe apps, like Illustrator...
2. Is there any tool for Adobe where I can work on a "Project" and not on a file or image or illustration or movie? something that will let me manage and control all my adobe software relative to a Project?
for a website, I design in Photoshop, and I need to save colors during my work, for the specific project, and I will use this branding colors in other applications, I will use a library ob objects, vector and not-vector objects, that i will need to use during all the process (to share panels), so - is there any tool that give me "the all picture"?
Thank you!

Answer 1

Ad 1) You would not need to save Smart Objects in containing files, but could just save psd, tif, psb, pdf and the place them.
While it might be possible to create a separate Panel that may even preview a specific folder I doubt it would be worth the trouble.
If you work on Mac putting a folder into Places makes it available from the open-, save as- or place-dialogs without affecting your Mini Bridge.
Ad 2) If you mean you want to, for example, change a color and that change should be reflected in objects (type, graphics, layers …) in ai-, indd- and psd-files (possible even without opening them) I don’t think there is an option available currently.