How to Create Action Sets in Photoshop
Do you repeat many of the same tasks in Photoshop? Instead of doing things the hard way, learn how to create actions, which are recorded commands that allow you to automate routine tasks. After an action is created, you can play it again with a click of a button. You can use actions to record menu commands, palette options, resize images and apply filters and effects. Just about any step in Photoshop can be turned into an action.
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Instructions
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How to Create Actions in Photoshop
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1
Open a file in Photoshop. It doesn't matter which file you open--you just need to be in Photoshop with an open file. Go to "Window" and then "Actions." Look to the right of the top of the "Actions" palette. You should see a small black arrow. Click the arrow to see a list of options. Choose "New Action" from the list.
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2
Give the new action a name. After you've named it, you have to give it a function key. The function key is the button you press on the keyboard to activate the action. You can choose any key between F1 to F12. Plus, you can also choose any combination of keys using the "Control" ("Command' on a Mac) and "Shift" keys.
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3
Record the action. Remember, you should already have a file open. Click on the round record button at the bottom of the "Actions" palette. It turns red to let you know it's recording. Perform the step(s) you want to record using the file you have open. Rotate the image, crop it or do any other task you want recorded. When you're done, press the square "Stop" button on the bottom of the "Actions" palette.
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4
Test the action you created. To run the test, press the function key you assigned in the second step. The action you performed on the image should happen again. You can now apply that action to any Photoshop image you're using.
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Tips & Warnings
Write down which keys activate your actions. Then you can look at the list and quickly activate any action you've created.
Remember to press the "Stop" button when you're done. If you perform a task you don't want included in the action before you press "Stop," the unwanted task will also be recorded.
