Question about Photoshop CS4

[Katster]

Hello

I was watching this tutorial video and realized that I can't find the option "Action Palette" in order to use features such as "Magical Clarity"...etc (as shown in the video).

Does Photoshop CS4 have that option that I am not too good at finding?

I would really appreciate a response to the question. Thank you!

[Katster]

Hi again,

Correct me if I am wrong please:
I think I need to install these Actions? Where can I install them from? I found a bunch of free Actions, but I don't seem to find what was used in that video tutorial. Last but not least, Photoshop CS4 requires Photoshop Elements for that before I install them, right? Which version of Photoshop Elements I need to get that will be best for CS4?
sorry if the questions seemed silly, but I am really new to this.

[zona5101]

You don't need elements (or any other program) to use CS4.
Actions are macros like you would use in excell or well, anything where you record a series of steps, name them, then push a button and have them play back.

You can display the actions pallette by going to windows->action
or by pressing Alt +F9
or by clicking on the actions icon which looks like three stacked blocks and an arrow. Whether or not the icon is over on the right is a function of what workspace you have chosen.

Expanding the actions menu flyout there is a selection for loading (importing) actions that you may have downloaded. When you download the actions you might want to save them to the actions folder under PS. This is the default location PS will look for .act files. You can always point the load dialoge box to another folder.

[Saralonde]

Those particular actions from mcp are probably ones you need to buy, although I think she offers a few free ones.

You can get wonderful free actions from Rita at Coffeeshop. She also explains each step of her actions so you can learn how to create your own. She also has a section on installing actions to PS.

Elements is like another less expensive and simpler version of Photoshop. You do not need it if you have CS4.

[LeeR]

Actions is among the most useful tools in all of PS. Anything you do repetitively can be recorded for future use with the press of a button. I have a rather complex procedure for converting images to sepia, but have recorded the process so it takes no more than the press of a button. The same is true for general sharpening, saturation, image sizing and a host of other things I do a lot. Additionally, you can download actions other people have saved; some free, some for a small fee. The Actions available from Coffeeshop as listed above are free and can be useful for portrait work. Fred Miranda has some that are a bit more technical, but highly useful and come with a small fee. As a matter of fact, a simple Google search will turn up hundreds of Actions, many of them a bit silly, but a few roses among the thorns. Once downloaded you can look at the steps taken to create the action and that may be even more useful than the action itself as it will allow you to create your own actions in your own style.