PSE Action Player

[landorasue]

I recently learned from PET (Adobe Photoshop Elements Techniques) that action (.atn) files can be placed in the PSE Action Player and used in the Guided Edit. This seems WAY easier than rebuilding the mediadatabase.db3 file. In the Action Player, you only need to add the .atn file (not the .xml or .png file) in order to play the action.

I'm experimenting with this, and so far, the actions are working well. Can any of you more experienced PSE users think of a reason NOT to use the Guided Edit Action Player?

Just copy and paste the .atn file in the following location:

Windows 7: C:>Program Data > Adobe > Photoshop Elements> (version number) > Locale > en_us > Workflow Panels > Actions

Windows XP: C: > Documents and Settings > All Users > Application Data > Adobe > Photoshop Elements> (version number) > Locale > en_us > Workflow Panels > Actions

Mac: Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements> (version number) > Locale > en_us > Workflow Panels > Actions

After opening your PSE document, go to Guided Edit > Action Player. Locate the Action, the Play the action. When you're all finished, click Done.

Not sure if I'm allowed to place the tutorial link here, so PM me if you want the link.

[troush]

I want to say at one time actions that had stops in them wouldn't work in the action player, but I could be wrong.

[landorasue]

Trish, the Panos fx actions I'm trying do stop and allow you to make some adjustments before clicking Continue.

[troush]

Well cool! I guess the only issue is switching back and forth between the screens. Have fun with it!

[landorasue]

Yes, after playing the action in Guided Edit>Action Player, then just click Done and click to go back to Full Edit.

[ScrappyBarb]

I also received that tut from PET and installed an action in my Guided Edit. It works easily; HOWEVER, I use Linda's Curved Photo action and her Custom Shadows action so often that I much prefer having them in my Effects panel.
It's good to have the option of how and where to place actions.

Just keep those options coming!!

[landorasue]

Yes, Barbara, I think it is nicer to have actions show up in the Effects panel. I just am so nervous about messing with the mediadatabase. Maybe there's nothing to fear, but I do.

[ScrappyBarb]

Lana, I have a very good friend who "introduced" me to digital scrapbooking. The quotes are there because what she actually did was push, pull and harass until I gave it and decided to dip my toe into all this.

She, like you, is very conservative about the changes she is willing to make to her computer, the software she adds, etc. In general, she is a model computer user. I, on the other hand, just don't seem to use my brain when confronted with a new idea, a new download or anything else. I just have to try it.

I have deleted that little database file often and never had a problem with it. I believe you have to do what is comfortable for you.

[landorasue]

Barb, I just really need to get some courage up. I wish PSE would make adding all the various effects, actions, styles, etc., as easy as it is in PS.

[Linda Sattgast]

There is one problem with Guided Edit Action Player—For two years it was fine and worked great. Then the last two versions it will make a merged copy of your page and apply the action to that layer, so I find it works well with some actions but not with others.

If you are using the actions with photos to turn them into works of art, then it works great.

If you use the action with my bent photo technique, it will fail because it will combine all the layers into one if the photo is on a scrapbook page.

So use it when you can, but just be aware of the quirks!

[landorasue]

Linda, thanks for the explanation on the Action Player. I'm still using PSE 8, so maybe that's why I'm having some good luck with it. From what you're saying, is sounds like any actions on photos need to be done BEFORE adding the photo to a scrapbook page. That way the action won't combine all the layers on the scrapbook page.

[ScrappyBarb]

This is good to know. Frankly, I seldom remember to use a Guided Edit so having actions installed in the Effects panel works best for me...but I'm leary of loading too much and having it slow down the software.

[Linda Sattgast]

Yes, Photoshop Elements 8 was golden—the Action player worked great. Certain actions, like my curved photo action, must be done on a layered document, so in that case the later versions of the Action player just won't work. :(