Adobe Photoshop: Adoption of measures to reduce the repetition

If you use Adobe Photoshop to perform repetitive tasks, why not take a blow of eye palette "Actions"?

Actions are condensed in the buttons macro routines and combinations of access keys. With Actions you can "register" routines at any level of complexity to later use other images.

Many people do not know the existence or Actions or too afraid to use them, but they are really very simple to implement.

Where to begin?

We need to open an image in Adobe Photoshop, and to ensure that the floating palette of Action is open. If you do not find the Action palette, simply go to (menu bar) window > Actions or press Alt and F9.

Depending on your current configuration, the Action palette should submit you a collapse and expand the list. If all you see are color buttons, and then click the menu small icon (triangle in a circle) at the top right of the palette Actions and choose "Button Mode" from the drop-down list. This toggle feature should pass mode button in the mode of development, which allows you to create and edit Actions.

Creating an Action.

Along the bottom of the Action palette you will find "Create new action" button (2nd from right). Click on it.

The new Action dialog box should appear. Type a name for your Action, choose a color (for color coding purposes) and a shortcut for it, if you want. You can also organize your Action in "Games", but they are not covered in this article.

Now click the file to start to create your Action. Almost everything that you do now will be saved.

Experiment with different features of Adobe Photoshop, i.e. Add a filter, change the mode of size and color of images or even transform a layer, etc. You will notice that each step that you make will now be becoming embedded in the lists in the Actions palette under the name you gave to it.

When you are finished with the creation of your Action, click on the button "Stop playing / recording" (first from left) at the end.

You should now have successfully created an Action.

To use it, you would be advised to change to "Mode button" by clicking on the icon on the palette and selecting from the drop-down list.

Try to open another image and apply your Action. Can now see you the possibilities? Shares can be registered and transferred. offering the ability to share or even sell shares well constructed and useful on the net. If be creative and especially - experiment!

A little further

If you have a CD or a folder full of images that you want to apply your Action for, why not use (menu bar) file > automation > lot.... Select your Action, choose a source and target, click on "OK", then go and make a cup of coffee and the work of the fact!

Author: James Middleton http://www.turningturnip.co.uk http://www.turningturnip.co.uk/photoshop

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