Favorite Actions in CS

[SharLamb]

One of the things I couldn't believe PSE didn't have was actions (macros), since I think that sort of thing is what computers are all about. Well, I'm blessed to have CS5, now, and am just getting into making some of my own. I've got an action to convert my LOs to gallery-ready size, several to set up new documents with guidelines in place for the various size greeting cards I make, one to make a photo appear to be curved, and have imported many from free sources such as The Coffee Shop, and Adobe Exchange.

I think many people are reluctant to make/use actions, and would like to encourage you to bone up on this wonderful feature if you have CS.

What are YOUR fav actions? I'd love to have ideas for more to make myself.

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

PSP uses scripts and I have created the resize for web script, a duplicate script, a merge script and a resize to scale script.

[Mary Newman]

Hi Shar, THanks for encouraging everyone to try actions. I enjoy using them to make a custom shadow. :O) I use it on all my LO.

[tinamarie]

HI Shar
I use Pioneer Woman and CoffeeShop for photo effect actions.
I use Atomic Cupcake for interesting effects on element..making brads, messy foam, etc.
Hope that helps!
Have fun with PS CS5!!
Tina

[sakura-panda]

You can use actions with PSE, although I don't think (am not sure) that you can create any.

I have several photo actions and but the action that I use the most is the one from Atomic Cupcake that distresses and inks edges.

[elibar]

Hi ladies! New here, but I thought I'd chime in - I love actions! I am a long-time PSE user who has just started using CS4. I have quite a few premade actions that I have used in PSE that I found on various sites, and I have moved my favorites over to Photoshop.

I have actions for shadows, reflections, photo enhancing/recoloring, shape warping/lifting, just to name a few. I first started using actions in PSE when I found Atomic Cupcake, but I have gotten them since from Pioneer Woman (she has a few that have been "retrofitted" for PSE), and purchased from other boutiques. So you certainly CAN use actions in PSE.

I've not made my own actions yet, as a new Photoshop user, but I'm willing to try!

[SharLamb]

Oh, Elibar! I mis-wrote. I USED actions in PSE, but what I wanted was to make my own, and was frustrated because I couldn't. That is the one feature of CS that makes the biggest difference to me. However, PSE has the recompose tool, and I can't find anything like it in CS. So I run both programs.

[elibar]

Originally Posted by SharLamb

Oh, Elibar! I mis-wrote. I USED actions in PSE, but what I wanted was to make my own, and was frustrated because I couldn't. That is the one feature of CS that makes the biggest difference to me. However, PSE has the recompose tool, and I can't find anything like it in CS. So I run both programs.

Well then, I'll be right along side you - learning to create actions on my own. Thanks for clearing that up!

[patara]

Originally Posted by SharLamb

However, PSE has the recompose tool, and I can't find anything like it in CS. So I run both programs.

SharLamb if you have CS4 or CS5 I think you would be able to accomplish what the Recompose Tool does [ from my understanding after a quick readup on what the tool is for] using Content Aware Scaling, found under Edit.
You make a selection of what you want to keep in a photo and save that selection under the Select Menu. Choose Content Aware Scale and in the options choose your selection from the drop down list for Protect. You can then crop the image to how you would like and the protected areas do not get changed.

[SharLamb]

Thanks Pat. I will give that some play time. I just KNEW there had to be SOMETHING!