How to Use an Action Script for Controlling Photo Effects
For creating special photo effects, particularly intricate and complex ones, nothing saves time and effort like action scripts. Action scripts work much like the macros used in office software; the steps used in achieving the desired result are automatically executed. Entire batches of photos can be resized, re-colored, given rounded corners or frames with an endless array of action scripts.
Pre-recorded action scripts for photo effects can be purchased or obtained for free online, and users can easily record their own, using PhotoShop.
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Things You'll Need
- Photos
- PhotoShop or a graphics program with action script functions
- Purchased or free action scripts
Instructions
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Installing Action Scripts
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Locate action scripts that perform the effects you wish to achieve. Scripts can be used alone or in combination with others to create photo effects. Popular effects that are often downloaded include the Lomo effect, the cross-processed look, a grunge look or a vintage one.
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Download (and unzip if needed) the scripts. Save them in the appropriate folder, by going to the "C" drive from "My Computer" or "Computer." From the "C" drive, navigate to "Program Files" --> "Adobe" --> "Photoshop" --> "Presets" --> "Photoshop Actions."
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Install the action scripts by opening Photoshop and pressing "F9" to toggle open the Actions menu. Click on the small downward-pointing arrow in the upper-right corner of the Actions menu.
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Select "Load Actions." Navigate to the folder where the action scripts are stored: "Program Files" --> "Adobe" --> "Photoshop" --> "Presets" --> "Photoshop Actions." Select the action to load, and click on "Load." Repeat this step for each action script to be loaded.
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Open the photo, or photos intended for use with an action script. From the action script menu, select the action you wish to run, and click the triangular "Play" button at the bottom of the menu. Merge layers before saving as a finished product.
Recording Your Own Action Scripts
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Click the downward-pointing triangle on the top right of the Actions menu. Select "New Action." A dialog box opens. Name the action. Leave the set as "Default action," and ascribe a function key, if you like, to use the action. Click on "Record" in the same dialog box.
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Perform all the operations needed to create the effects you wish the action script to include. This process differs based on the effect.) Click the square box at the bottom of the Actions menu, found to the left of the red record button when you're finished recording.
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Delete unwanted action scripts by clicking the script name in the action script menu, so it is highlighted. Click on the downward pointing triangle in the upper-right of the menu, and select "Delete."
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Tips & Warnings
Create a folder on an external drive and store a copy of all action scripts in that folder as backup copies.
Action scripts work best on a flattened image.
Take your time when recording action scripts, as they are not recorded in real time.
If the action script results are not as expected, closing and re-opening the photo without saving changes is often the easiest way to revert to the original.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit a lot pf pictures - flowers. image by Olaru Radian-Alexandru from Fotolia.com
