Actions in Elements 9

[Clarek]

Hi I have downloaded allot of Actions to use but they don't come up when I look for them in the Actions bit - like I have been told they would. What am I doing wrong?? I have downloaded them correctly to the right location on my Mac but..well it's just a mystery to me?? Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks

[GeoffWessex]

If you've definitely downloaded and unzipped the files (the correct atn and png files) and put them into the 'photo effects' folder in your PSE setup......

Find the MediaDatabase.db3 file (which is in the Locale, en-gb folder) and either delete it or rename it. (Don't worry, it gets rebuilt when you next start PSE).

[Clarek]

Hi Thanks for replying. Where do I find the effects folder for PSE setup??? Yes actions were given to me on a cd they are all atn files.
thanks

[GeoffWessex]

Yes, they'll be ATN files, but you also need to install the accompanying PNG file, into the 'photo effects' folder.
"Where's the 'photo effects' folder?", you ask. (By "PSE setup" I just mean the files that PSE puts into your computer when it's installed). If the Actions don't have a PNG file with them then you can be quite sure that they're not written with Elements in mind - but could still work (though it's harder to find them in your Effects Palette because without the PNG file you won't have an icon/thumbnail). You could also make your own PNG (at exactly the same dimensions as other PNG in that folder - it would need to have exactly the same filename as the atn file, just a different suffix.)

You should find instructions in a file on the CD - depends on how professional they are, however....

Download the action(s) and put on it the desktop
An Action comprises UP to 3 files:
.atn : The Action itself
.png : The Action "icon" or thumbnail
.xml : The Action "Instructions"
You may or may not have to have the 3 files, sometimes just one is provided.

With Finder click on the Hard drive icon ( Macintosh HD ) ( NOT the ~ User/ name / .... Folder)
Go to the Library Folder Then go to through the folders as follows - Application Support >> Adobe >> Photoshop Elements >> 9.0 >> Photo Creations >> Photo Effects

Drop the .atn and the .png files in this Folder Location.

IF a .xml file was provided, repeat the steps (copy etc) and place the .xml file in the folder:
HD \ Library \Application Support \ Adobe\Photoshop Elements \ 9.0 \ Locale \ en-US (or en-gb) \ Photo Creations Metadata \ Photo Effects

Within Finder go to Library >> Application Support >> Adobe >> Photoshop Elements >> 9.0> Locale >> en_US (or en-gb). You can either delete the “MediaDatabase.db3” file or rename it to “MediaDatabase_OLD.db3” (for safety, though PSE will build a new one if it cannot find an existing one).

Close Finder.... Now restart PSE.... After few seconds, you should see a status box saying “Building content & effects” - it can take a while. Make coffee.

After the update is complete you should find the actions (or, rather, their thumbnails) in the Effects Palette. If you don't see them straight away, go to the four icons at the top of the palette and hit the far right one - display All

[Clarek]

Thanks Geoff I think I must be a right plonker as they are still not showing. and I have lost the 4 Actions that were in the Guilded Edit part as well.
I think I shall get someone that knows what they are doing to follow your instructions during the week. Many thanks and I'll let you know how I get on...cheers Clare

[Oly Paul]

Clare you are not a plonker, it's just that Geoff has supplied you with the wrong information as it as all changed in Elements 9 with the inclusion of a dedicated action player.

I'm using Windows 7 but it should similar on a Mac.

Do it this way C:\ > ProgramData > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.0 > Local > en_us > Workflow Panels > Actions.

Put your atn files only in the actions folder. you will then be able to access them using the actions player in PSE9.

Hope that helps.

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by Oly Paul

I'm using Windows 7 but it should be the same on xp or vista.

Do it this way C:\ > ProgramData > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.0 > Local > en_us > Workflow Panels > Actions.

She is on a Mac.

[Oly Paul]

Yes I know and amended my post but the folders should be the same.

But if she went to the help file like I just did after your post it is there.

System library/Application Support /Adobe /Photoshop Elements /9.0/Locale/en_US/Workflow Panels/actions.

[GeoffWessex]

Hmmmm, OK - point taken. I gave the PSE9 trial version a go and installed a couple of Actions to check (installing them in the same folder as previous versions) - and it worked fine. Trouble was, the whole program ran far too slowly on my older PC, so I binned it.

I also thought that the "dedicated Action Player" only referred to "Guided Edits".... not the standard Effects Palette..... could you post a screenshot of an effects palette, with Actions showing?

However, if you're not putting a PNG in the folder, how does Elements find them?

[Oly Paul]

Hi Geoff, I never got them to work like that in 9 but I did not pursue it as I preferred how the action player worked with sets more like Photoshop.

Yes it is in guided Edit but it is simply a matter of running the action then clicking the full edit to return and see any layers created by the action.

Select your action set.



Select the action from the set and run, click on full edit tab and your back to your layers if you want to adjust them.