**Program Tutorials** : Photoshop : *Program Basic

Actions are a recorded script of commands designed to complete a particular task. You can play actions as well as create and record your own. There are numerous online sources available for downloading free and commercial actions by simply doing a search for “Photoshop actions”. Action types vary widely from command actions, for example to save an image for web setting, to actions that apply texture or image effects.

Hugely popular amongst digital scrapbookers are the actions created by Atomic Cupcake http://www.atomiccupcake.com and Machine Wash Filters http://alienskin.com

This tutorial walks you through downloading, installing and applying an action in PSCS2. This tutorial uses the free action “Instant Chipboard Letters” available at http://www.atomiccupcake.com but the process is similar for all actions.

Download the action of your choice. You can nominate any folder to store your actions in. I created a folder simply called “PhotoshopActions”. The action file is identified by the extension .atn. The file may be within a zip file in which case you will need to unzip the file.

Create a new document at your desired size. File>New

This action is designed to work primarily with text.

Choose the text tool.

Position the mouse on your canvas, click and drag to create a text box.

Type in your text.

The documentation with this action recommends using a large font size for best results and a thick font. I have chosen to size the text to 108pt.

and chosen a font called Tristan

Highlight the text and choose a color from the palette or other source.

With the text selected choose Window> Actions.

This opens the Action palette

Click on the small arrow at the top right corner of the palette.

Choose Load Actions.. from the menu that opens.

Browse to the location of the action file, (Atomic Cupcake Chipboard Letters.atn) select it and choose Load.

The action name will be loaded into the actions palette. Select the file. (AC-Chipboard Letters)

Choose the triangular Play button

The action will begin to play. You will see the action palette scroll through various commands. The final result for this action will appear in a new window.

Close the original file without saving.

You can then create a new file or drag the letters onto an existing project.

**NB Some actions can only be applied to images of a certain size or resolution image so ensure that you check any accompanying documentation.

**NB Actions created in or for earlier versions of Photoshop (PS6 or lower) may not work or perform as expected in later versions (PS7 or higher)