Actions

[Tori Easton]

Do any of you use Photoshop actions? I think that I would like to try them but am not sure where to start/

[Alyson]

Tori, since you are using CS3, I think I can help. I use CS2, and it is probably the same. First, make sure your actions palette is open. Mine opened when I opened my History palette, but if you don't have a tab for actions, go to Windows>Actions to open it. To dock it, click

Now, there should be some actions loaded already that came with photoshop, but I can't remember for sure. To load new actions, click the little triangle at the top right of the palette. Then click Load Actions.

To use an action, highlight the action you want to use and click the play button at the bottom of the palette. Make sure the layer you want the action applied to is also highlighted in the layers palette. Example: if you want to run an action on a photo, click the photo to highlight that layer, then click the action you want to highlight it, then click play.

Here's a pic of what my actions palette looks like and where the little triangle for loading actions is located and where the play button is located. Hope this helps.

[Alishaw]

I'm not sure if this works for all version of CS or not, but I just open the folder with my action and drag it to the CS3 desktop and it stalls in the actions section for me. ;)

[Tori Easton]

WOW! Alyson you are so great. That made perfect sense! I am so excited to start using actions. Where do you buy your actions? Is there anywhere that you can get some for free to just try out? Thanks again you are the best. I would love to hear which actions you use and like.

[alb52]

i'm pretty sure the drag & drop works w/ CS3, as well. i spent a lot of time digging around on how to install them and where until someone asked -don't you just drag them into the program anywhere like i do?! kick, kick, kick! :)

as far as types... shadowing actions are nice for PS to start! :)

[TheNikonQueen]

Ah! I love actions! I've made dozens of them on my own too -- lots of different color corrections and shadow types.

I don't know how to SHARE actions though - does anyone?

[Alishaw]

once you've saved it you just have to go to that actual directory and it will live there as it's own file and you can share it that way. Does that make sense?

[Tori Easton]

This would be something that I would love a class on.

[montmeag]

Tori, Do a quick search here on the forum for "actions" and you should get several places that have been mentioned to get them.

[Jenny McDonald]

Great idea Tori on have a class on how to make them and how to use them. HINT HINT WINK WINK!! ;)

[Brenda]

I would love a class on actions too!There are several free ones on the internet. Just do a search. There are so many. It depends on what you want.

[shancan]

All the actions I have found need 7.0 or higher, correct? I so want to use them.

[chryslergreen]

Not all - I use PSE 5.0 and there are some from atomic cupcake that I can use, as well as some photo actions.

[natterra]

I don't know much about actions, but this site is a great help.

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/actions.html

[Amanda J.]

Speaking of actions, here's a great resource for anyone using PSE & up. I use PSE5 and they are fabulous!

CoffeeShop Actions (http://www.coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/)

Just remember if you have Elements, you'll need to do a little hacking. There are complete instructions available on her blog, or you can just Google "load actions PSEX" X being your version of elements.

Have fun!

[Alishaw]

Thanks Amanda, those are great!

[Tori Easton]

What is a preset compared to an action?

[utgirl]

Man, I'm totally new at the whole PSE I have 6.0, and am learning how to figure this out. Your links and suggestions are very helpful. I am excited I found this site! You are the greatest!

[Alyson]

Welcome utgirl!! This is the place to be! Tell us a little about yourself.

[Kelli West]

Welcome to the best forum on eath!! You will love it here utgirl!! let us know what we can do to help!

[Lizy Vidal]

Thanks Alyson, you are the greatest! WELCOME utgirl... You are definitely on the greatest forum :) Fun, fun, fun...

[lanz]

I just downloaded some actions from CoffeeShop Actions into Photoshop Elements 6, followed the instructions and they work just fine, they are so much fun to use.

[kmsarles]

Lana, I did too! They are so awesome! I had to go back and redo some of my pages using the new actions. Thanks for the tip Amanda!