An “Action” is a way of stringing together a series of commands (A “Macro”) by pressing one key combination rather than a series of commands. This allows you to initiate repetitive functions easier and quicker.<\/p>\n
Where to Find:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n You can create and view existing Actions in the “Actions” Panel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Suggested Actions:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n There are Default Actions included with Photoshop – feel free to explore them. However, there are a few Actions that I created that I use on a regular basis.<\/p>\n > Flatten Image<\/p>\n > Convert from 16 Bit to 8 Bit<\/p>\n > Load Printer Profile <\/strong><\/p>\n You’ll discover that creating an Action for a repetitive function will save all sorts of time. Such as…<\/p>\n To set up a “Flatten image” Action:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 1. Open an image that needs flattening and then go to the “Actions” Panel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 2. In the New Action Dialogue Box<\/strong> (see example)name your Action, such as “Flatten Image”, and choose an appropriate function key (or combination). Here’s what I use: For Mac, “Command” + “F2”<\/em>, and for Windows, “Control” + “F2”<\/em>.<\/p>\n 3. Press the “New Action”<\/em> button at the bottom of the Panel, or go to the Panel Options menu<\/strong> and select “New Action…”<\/em>.<\/p>\n 4. Click on the “Record”<\/em>Button. (At this point, all steps that you perform will be recorded until you press the “Stop Recording” button.)<\/p>\n 5. Go to “Layer” <\/em>-> <\/em>“Flatten Image”<\/em>.<\/p>\n 6. Now, press the “Stop Recording”<\/em> button at the bottom of the Panel. You can also go to the Panel Options menu<\/strong>, and select “Stop Recording”<\/em>.<\/p>\n Now, when you press “Command” + “F2”<\/em> (or whatever you choose) in the future, your image will be flattened, saving you quite a bit of time.<\/p>\n STRAIGHTEN YOUR HORIZON<\/p>\n Is the horizon in your digital image not straight? If not, it can be very distracting. Here’s an easy way to straighten it in Photoshop and Elements:<\/p>\n CS5:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Choose the “Ruler Tool”. <\/em>To access it, click the “Hidden Tool Triangle”<\/em>in your Tools Panel <\/strong>under the “Eyedropper Tool”<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Draw a line along your horizon.<\/p>\n 3. Press the “Straighten”<\/em>button in the Options Bar <\/strong>at the top of your program.<\/p>\n 1. Choose the “Ruler Tool”<\/em>(It’s called the “Measure Tool” <\/strong><\/em>in CS2 and earlier). To access it, click the “Hidden Tool Triangle”<\/em>in your Tools Panel <\/strong>under the “Eyedropper Tool”<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Draw a line along your horizon.<\/p>\n 3. Go to the “Image”<\/em>menu, choose “Image Rotation” (or “Rotate Canvas” in earlier versions)<\/em>, choose “Arbitrary…”<\/em>, <\/strong> leave the number and direction alone, and click “OK”<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n by John Watts, Watts Digital Imaging<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/aug2012\/Watts_photos\/Action1.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Screen](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/aug2012\/Watts_photos\/Action2.jpg\")
Screen shots: © 2011 John Watts. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/aug2012\/Watts_photos\/StrHoriz.jpg\")
<\/strong> © 2011 John Watts. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
CS4 and earlier:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Viola! <\/strong> Your horizon is now straight! By the way, this technique works equally well if you need to straighten vertically, such as architectural photography.<\/p>\n