Actions in Elements?

[Sarah Ellsworth]

There's probably a post out there somewhere that talks about this, but I can't find it. I am wondering if Elements can do actions. I have read several places on the internet that say Elements can run them but not write them. I just can't figure out how to even install it into elements after I've downloaded one. I have PSE 5.0. Does anyone know how to do it or know of someplace that would walk me through it? I just want some basic actions like softening and even just a good way to change to B&W or Sepia or add a vignette. I desperately need help! Thanks.

[lanz]

Sarah I believe that you can load actions into Elements, I wish that I could help you more. I have downloaded some into elements 6 before, but I don't remember how to do it. Sorry I can't help you more.

[JoDee:)]

Hey? I am not sure what actions are, but I think I can do those things you are asking? But maybe I really dont' know what I am talking about?

[tpowers]

Sarah-Where did you find a good Action that does vignette? I loaded a bunch of actions onto my PSE 4.0. Download or move them to the folder in Adobe. Preview>Effects. There are several folds I put mine in images. Then you go in to the Cache folder and delete the 3 files in there. The other trick that I found is to close Photoshop and the open it. Hope that helps. Alishaw helped me a ton. Also, try to PM Mindi. She sells actions for photos and she sent me the directions that she sends to her customers. Good luck.

[dovegirl]

I heard Elements 6 is a lot more complicated to add the actions - but I don't know how. If anyone would let me know, I would love it. THANKS!!!!

[Alishaw]

Element 6.0 actions are a complete pain to load but will be worth it. You have to put them in hidden windows folders. So if you get to a step and don't see that folder, it's really there, but you have to show all hidden folders too.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Photo Creations\photo effects

Once there you need to load the .atn file and the .png image of the action. DO NOT LOAD THE WHOLE FOLDER (that I can tell) and you may have to convert a .psd image to a .png to get it to read properly.

THEN...
You need to go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\en_US
and delete the Mediadatabase.db3 file.

Then open Elements 6.0 and WAIT like forever while it rebuilds your catalog of actions and effects.

FINALLY

VOILA!!! You find them in the effects palette under photo effects and they work like a charm!

PM me if you have trouble.

[Kim Hansen]

Alishaw, how about Elements 5--will they work?

[Sarah Ellsworth]

Teresa - I am having a seriously hard time. The folder you told me to put the actions in is the same folder that the internet told me to put them in, but for some reason I can't find it. I went to C: - Program Files - Adobe - Photoshop Elements 5.0 - that's where I get stuck. I don't see a folder called "preview" Am I going to the wrong place? Argh!! I want to use these so bad!!!

[Liz]

I have Elements 4. The only actions that I have I downloaded from Atomic Cupcake. In that download was a detailed set of instructions telling my what to open and what to do with it.

[tpowers]

Sarah-I will look at my computer when I get home and see it I can help you. I must have missed a step. Where did you get the actions from? I have been looking for one that does the vignette.

[Sarah Ellsworth]

I found them here but I haven't had a chance to test them yet since I can't figure out how to install them. I don't know if they're any good or not. http://www.graficalicus.com/wp/archives/384

[dovegirl]

Thanks for the directions Alishaw - I haven't tried them yet, BUT - do I put all of the actions in that same place - ie, actions from Atomic Cupcake?? Ones that aren't for pictures. Does that make sense?

[chryslergreen]

Yes, all actions no matter what they are used for should all be installed the same way and end up in the same place.

[dovegirl]

:cheer:Thank you very much!!!!

[tpowers]

Sarah-I found the e-mail that Mindi sent me. Hopefully it will still work. PM your e-mail address and I will forward it to you. Hopefully that will help. If not click on search and type in actions. The was a thread posted by Melanie. In in Alyson linked to other threads that helped. Let me know how it works out.

[DeborahMomof2]

Mindy's action will work for PSE. I just updated from 4.0 to 6.0 for Mac and haven't reloaded them in yet. OK, I think this is the right link Mindy's PSE actions (http://mindysphotoactions.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html)

[Alishaw]

4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 all load them different.

You won't find what you need in teh program files section Sarah if you have 6.0-follow the instructions above.

For 5.0 you need to go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\5.0\Photo Creations\special effects\photo effects and you can load the whole folder into that spot. The preview file must be renamed thumbs.psd for it to show.

[tpowers]

Alishaw-I am trying to load the same actions as Sarah. I have done everything that I normally do. But, everytime I open up my Photoshop the Cache files reappear and so the actions do not load in. Am I missing a step or do I need to do something different. Thanks for your help.

[Sarah Ellsworth]

Either I'm really stupid, or I just don't have those folders. I have Vista. Does anyone else? Is it possible that Vista names the folders differently?

[Sarah Ellsworth]

yay! My brilliant husband found the folders. Apparently on Vista they are hidden and then each individual folder has a security lock on it. It took him some time to get in there, but we did! Now I can give it a go. Thanks for your help ladies.