Making and editing actions

R
Posted By
Rob
Aug 11, 2007
Views
1034
Replies
18
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Closed
I would like to create some actions which will contain numerous and repetitive steps. (60-80 steps)

Is there an editor that can be used to create these without recording them through Photoshop. (I’m using CS3)

Any recommendations or suggestions please.

Thanks

r

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R
Roberto
Aug 11, 2007
"Rob" wrote in message
I would like to create some actions which will contain numerous and repetitive steps. (60-80 steps)

Is there an editor that can be used to create these without recording them through Photoshop. (I’m using CS3)

Any recommendations or suggestions please.

Thanks

r

Nope no editor. Record them as you do it in Photoshop and try to get it right the first time because while there is some basic editing possible after the action has been created it is limited and not overly functional as far as I am concerned.

Somebody!
P
pico
Aug 11, 2007
Rob wrote:
I would like to create some actions which will contain numerous and repetitive steps. (60-80 steps)

Is there an editor that can be used to create these without recording them through Photoshop. (I’m using CS3)

If you have an image that can be acted upon by an action, you can modify the action by clicking on a particular step in the process. Usually. Remember, an action can include another action if you want to pare it to manageable parts that will eventually all run at once in a series.

Otherwise, scripting is what you want.
R
Rob
Aug 11, 2007
pico wrote:

Rob wrote:

I would like to create some actions which will contain numerous and repetitive steps. (60-80 steps)

Is there an editor that can be used to create these without recording them through Photoshop. (I’m using CS3)

If you have an image that can be acted upon by an action, you can modify the action by clicking on a particular step in the process. Usually. Remember, an action can include another action if you want to pare it to manageable parts that will eventually all run at once in a series.
Otherwise, scripting is what you want.

Yes scripting but how do you make and edit it?

Failing that then I will have to make the action in smaller steps, Its so small the work space thats why I would like to work in MSWord size documents which I can follow through.
R
Roberto
Aug 11, 2007
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. As an example I created an action that would create a text layer with a copyright notice, move the text to the bottom right of the image and then nudge it up and to the right by 40 pixels. The action worked perfectly. Then I Jan. 2007 I needed to update the year date for the text. I loaded an image, opened the action and double clicked on the text creation step, changed the text and then run the action. They action no longer worked correctly.

I have had other issues with certain type so editing of steps. I will stick with what I said. Action editing is possible, but it isn’t very good. Adobe could and should by now done something about this.

Robert
K
KatWoman
Aug 12, 2007
"Somebody" wrote in message
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. As an example I created an action that would create a text layer with a copyright notice, move the text to the bottom right of the image and then nudge it up and to the right by 40 pixels. The action worked perfectly. Then I Jan. 2007 I needed to update the year date for the text. I loaded an image, opened the action and double clicked on the text creation step, changed the text and then run the action. They action no longer worked correctly.

I have had other issues with certain type so editing of steps. I will stick with what I said. Action editing is possible, but it isn’t very good. Adobe could and should by now done something about this.
Robert

are you using the action on the same resolution and size images?? if not your "nudges" and type size will not match
R
Roberto
Aug 12, 2007
"KatWoman" wrote in message
"Somebody" wrote in message
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. As an example I created an action that would create a text layer with a copyright notice, move the text to the bottom right of the image and then nudge it up and to the right by 40 pixels. The action worked perfectly. Then I Jan. 2007 I needed to update the year date for the text. I loaded an image, opened the action and double clicked on the text creation step, changed the text and then run the action. They action no longer worked correctly.
I have had other issues with certain type so editing of steps. I will stick with what I said. Action editing is possible, but it isn’t very good. Adobe could and should by now done something about this.
Robert

are you using the action on the same resolution and size images?? if not your "nudges" and type size will not match

I don’t see why that would have any effect. Why?

1. When you tell photoshop to align the text to the bottom left of the image, it should do this placing the text in the bottom left of the image not matter what the resolution is. I am not telling it to place the text at coordinates 450×2 or something like that. The align commands are totally pixel, size and dimension independant.

2. When I tell Photoshop to then (after the align commands) to move the text up 40 pixels and to the right 40 pixels again I don’t see why image size would have any effect on this. 40 pixels is going to be the same 40 pixels not matter the size of the image.

3. When I record the action and play it back it works fine on any images I run it on no matter the size or resolution. It only stops working correctly when I go in to the actions palette double click on the command that makes the text and change the 6 in the 2006 year to a 7. It is after that action edit that the action no longer works even on the original image I used to record the action with.

I stand by what I said. Action editing in Photoshop is poor and buggy at best. If you need to make changes to an action you are better off and will pull out a lot less hair if you just record it over from the start than trying to edit it. And, this shouldn’t be the case. However, since actions were added in Photoshop 4 Adobe has never gone back and made any improvements. Just like they haven’t gone back to other poorly implemented features that they have added and fixed them. It is very typical Adobe.

Somebody!
K
KatWoman
Aug 12, 2007
"Somebody" wrote in message
"KatWoman" wrote in message
"Somebody" wrote in message
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. As an example I created an action that would create a text layer with a copyright notice, move the text to the bottom right of the image and then nudge it up and to the right by 40 pixels. The action worked perfectly. Then I Jan. 2007 I needed to update the year date for the text. I loaded an image, opened the action and double clicked on the text creation step, changed the text and then run the action. They action no longer worked correctly.
I have had other issues with certain type so editing of steps. I will stick with what I said. Action editing is possible, but it isn’t very good. Adobe could and should by now done something about this.
Robert

are you using the action on the same resolution and size images?? if not your "nudges" and type size will not match

I don’t see why that would have any effect. Why?

1. When you tell Photoshop to align the text to the bottom left of the image, it should do this placing the text in the bottom left of the image not matter what the resolution is. I am not telling it to place the text at coordinates 450×2 or something like that. The align commands are totally pixel, size and dimension independent.

2. When I tell Photoshop to then (after the align commands) to move the text up 40 pixels and to the right 40 pixels again I don’t see why image size would have any effect on this. 40 pixels is going to be the same 40 pixels not matter the size of the image.

3. When I record the action and play it back it works fine on any images I run it on no matter the size or resolution. It only stops working correctly when I go in to the actions palette double click on the command that makes the text and change the 6 in the 2006 year to a 7. It is after that action edit that the action no longer works even on the original image I used to record the action with.

I stand by what I said. Action editing in Photoshop is poor and buggy at best. If you need to make changes to an action you are better off and will pull out a lot less hair if you just record it over from the start than trying to edit it. And, this shouldn’t be the case. However, since actions were added in Photoshop 4 Adobe has never gone back and made any improvements. Just like they haven’t gone back to other poorly implemented features that they have added and fixed them. It is very typical Adobe.
Somebody!

make two documents
one at 300 dpi
one at 72
select type tool point size 48
type a word on the 300 dpi doc
drag that layer over to the 72 dpi document
you see? the proportional problem?

I love when noobs who don’t know how to use PS trash the program b/c they are ignorant of most basic things
and then continue to refuse help because they continue to think they are right
good luck
P
pico
Aug 13, 2007
"Somebody" wrote in message

I stand by what I said. Action editing in Photoshop is poor and buggy at best. If you need to make changes to an action you are better off and will pull out a lot less hair if you just record it over from the start than trying to edit it.

You asked earlier if one could edit scripts. There is very much in the package that people find and dismiss without looking farther.

If you are inclined to program, you might want to look at Photoshop’s ExtendScript Toolkit. It’s been around since CS2.

I suspect the reason Adobe doesn’t offer the straightforward ability to edit a script (other than running a step to overwrite an existing step) is that it is NOT a straightforward thing! There is so much to consider.
R
Roberto
Aug 13, 2007
make two documents
one at 300 dpi
one at 72
select type tool point size 48
type a word on the 300 dpi doc
drag that layer over to the 72 dpi document
you see? the proportional problem?

I love when noobs who don’t know how to use PS trash the program b/c they are ignorant of most basic things
and then continue to refuse help because they continue to think they are right
good luck

Yes, the text will be bigger. That isn’t the issue sweetie. The issue is that when the action is run after editing the text is no longer placed at the bottom left of the image. It is placed in the middle of the image. That is the problem sweetie. Something happens when you edit the action and that sweetie has nothing to do with the resolution.

While this has nothing to do with the problem I am having I would also state that since I only watermark images that are going on the web, they are all already the same resolution (dpi) and all the same dimensions (I resize them down before apply the water mark). Also, using third party solutions I don’t have the placement issue no matter what the size or resolution is.

God I just love know-it-alls that can’t read the posts and makes fools of themselves. Because sweetie never once in all of my posts did I say anything about the text being bigger or smaller. I complained that after editing the text step in the action replacing the 6 in 2006 with 7 for 2007 that the action then no longer PLACED the text in the right location. I would also like to point out that the 300 to 72dpi junk you mentioned would still have NO impact on the align command to have the text to align to the bottom left of the image and then nudge it up and to the right 40 pixels. 300 dpi or 72dpi bottom left is bottom left and 40 pixels up and 40 pixels to the right is still 40 pixels to the right and 40 pixels up. Sweetie!

Robert
R
Roberto
Aug 13, 2007
"pico" <pico.net> wrote in message
"Somebody" wrote in message

I stand by what I said. Action editing in Photoshop is poor and buggy at best. If you need to make changes to an action you are better off and will
pull out a lot less hair if you just record it over from the start than trying to edit it.

You asked earlier if one could edit scripts. There is very much in the package that people find and dismiss without looking farther.
If you are inclined to program, you might want to look at Photoshop’s ExtendScript Toolkit. It’s been around since CS2.

I suspect the reason Adobe doesn’t offer the straightforward ability to edit a script (other than running a step to overwrite an existing step) is that it is NOT a straightforward thing! There is so much to consider.

Unfortunately I don’t think I should have to waste time learning a scripting language to create a script to do something that I should be able to do with an action. The fact that Adobe has once again added a feature (when adding PS4) that is half done and never bothered to make even minor improvements to it says it all.

Actions per the original posters question are not very user friendly when it comes to making changes to them. That is a fact and is 100% accurate. Now if you want to take the time scripting is an option. But, most Photoshop users are either photographer or designers not programmers.

Robert
P
pico
Aug 13, 2007
Somebody wrote:

Yes, the text will be bigger. That isn’t the issue []. The issue is that when the action is run after editing the text is no longer placed at the bottom left of the image. It is placed in the middle of the image.

You have piqued my interest; if I have time tomorrow, I’ll snoop into just that issue.

In the meantime, there is probably a workaround, possibly skipping that step (which you can do) and then append another action to the batch after the first to set the type and location.
P
pico
Aug 13, 2007
Somebody wrote:

Unfortunately I don’t think I should have to waste time learning a scripting language to create a script to do something that I should be able to do with an action.

Agreed.

The fact that Adobe has once again added a
feature (when adding PS4) that is half done and never bothered to make even minor improvements to it says it all.

I am not convinced that it’s a bug in the program. I’ll look tomorrow.
R
Rob
Aug 13, 2007
pico wrote:

"Somebody" wrote in message

I stand by what I said. Action editing in Photoshop is poor and buggy at best. If you need to make changes to an action you are better off and will
pull out a lot less hair if you just record it over from the start than trying to edit it.

You asked earlier if one could edit scripts. There is very much in the package that people find and dismiss without looking farther.
If you are inclined to program, you might want to look at Photoshop’s ExtendScript Toolkit. It’s been around since CS2.

I suspect the reason Adobe doesn’t offer the straightforward ability to edit a script (other than running a step to overwrite an existing step) is that it is NOT a straightforward thing! There is so much to consider.
Thats me, in that I want to develop some long actions.
I’ll lookin that one.

Thanks
P
pico
Aug 13, 2007
I’ve just tried to duplicate your problem in CS2/Windows and cannot.

When you said you clicked on a step and changed 2006 to 2007 by just changing the last character (6 to 7) I should have suspected something, at least in CS2. Can’t do that. You have to change the whole string.

I suspect the problem is that whomever set up the Action did not use the type tool properly. Choose the font tool. Then change the characteristics to the proper typeface (font), color, size, alignment. Then DRAW A BOX using the text tool across the narrow area you want (bottom). A selected area will appear. Type in your text. Stop action. Done.

I’ll try it on CS3 (on a OS-X) after lunch.
R
Roberto
Aug 13, 2007
"pico" wrote in message
I’ve just tried to duplicate your problem in CS2/Windows and cannot.
When you said you clicked on a step and changed 2006 to 2007 by just changing the last character (6 to 7) I should have suspected something, at least in CS2. Can’t do that. You have to change the whole string.
I suspect the problem is that whomever set up the Action did not use the type tool properly. Choose the font tool. Then change the characteristics to the proper typeface (font), color, size, alignment. Then DRAW A BOX using the text tool across the narrow area you want (bottom). A selected area will appear. Type in your text. Stop action. Done.

I’ll try it on CS3 (on a OS-X) after lunch.

Interesting approach to the text edit. I will have to try that. Though the way I have done should work.

Somebody!
K
KatWoman
Aug 15, 2007
"Somebody" wrote in message
make two documents
one at 300 dpi
one at 72
select type tool point size 48
type a word on the 300 dpi doc
drag that layer over to the 72 dpi document
you see? the proportional problem?

I love when noobs who don’t know how to use PS trash the program b/c they are ignorant of most basic things
and then continue to refuse help because they continue to think they are right
good luck

Yes, the text will be bigger. That isn’t the issue sweetie. The issue is that when the action is run after editing the text is no longer placed at the bottom left of the image. It is placed in the middle of the image. That is the problem sweetie. Something happens when you edit the action and that sweetie has nothing to do with the resolution.

While this has nothing to do with the problem I am having I would also state that since I only watermark images that are going on the web, they are all already the same resolution (dpi) and all the same dimensions (I resize them down before apply the water mark). Also, using third party solutions I don’t have the placement issue no matter what the size or resolution is.

God I just love know-it-alls that can’t read the posts and makes fools of themselves. Because sweetie never once in all of my posts did I say anything about the text being bigger or smaller. I complained that after editing the text step in the action replacing the 6 in 2006 with 7 for 2007 that the action then no longer PLACED the text in the right location. I would also like to point out that the 300 to 72dpi junk you mentioned would still have NO impact on the align command to have the text to align to the bottom left of the image and then nudge it up and to the right 40 pixels. 300 dpi or 72dpi bottom left is bottom left and 40 pixels up and 40 pixels to the right is still 40 pixels to the right and 40 pixels up. Sweetie!

Robert

I may be a sweetie but I am not your sweetie! PLONK
P
pico
Aug 15, 2007
"KatWoman" wrote in message

Sweetie!

Robert

I may be a sweetie but I am not your sweetie! PLONK

Most excellent response.
D
Dave
Aug 15, 2007
"Somebody" wrote in message

40 pixels to the right is still 40 pixels to the right and 40 pixels up. Sweetie!

Robert

KatWoman
I may be a sweetie but I am not your sweetie! PLONK

LOL…:-)))

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