Photoshop Elements Free Action lovers, there are two new ones for you to try.
Digital Backdrops
The first is a set of 10 actions that create Digital Backdrops of any color in 10 sizes. Like this:
You can use it to put behind a subject to make your photo look more like a traditional studio shot, or to hide a distracting background. Don’t forget about PSE’s Magic Extractor tool (in the Image Menu) when putting this backdrop behind a subject!
A Texas Chicks reader found this action on ATN Central. It wasn’t compatible with PSE, so, with the permission of Shannon Beauford, the action’s creator, I converted it for Phtooshop Elements.
Have you visited ATN Central, by the way? Most of the actions there are for the big Photoshop, but there are some hidden gems for PSE if you look.
Anyway, since this action’s home is rightfully on ATN Central, I have submitted it for posting there and it’s not going to live at Texas Chicks for downloading. However, if you are a subscriber to the Rooster Roster, I will be sending this action to you later today. I will also send it to anyone who joins within the next week. The Rooster Roster sign up form is on the right side of this page.
MCP’s High Definition Sharpening Action
Jodi recently published my conversion of her free High Definition Sharpening Action on MCP Actions. This action set contains one action that sharpens images for printing, and another that resizes and sharpens for the web. (And for those images that need special sharpening attention, check out my Sharpening Powerhouse!)
Red River Paper Contest Winners
The winners of the Red River Paper gift card stock have been selected and will receive emails about claiming their prizes later today.
Kaleidoscope – A Collection of Color and Light
Coming up next on Texas Chicks, we will explore Patti Brown’s Kaleidoscope Collection and how to use it. And yes, there will be a giveaway! A good one, too. And those of you who don’t win will get a huge discount on buying Patti’s products.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried to sign up for the Rooster Roster, but it sent me to a page where I had to create another account and pay for stuff. Am I not able to just sign up for the newsletter by itself, or am I doing something wrong?
Hi Amy,
Look for the brown box near the bottom of the screen on the right. Is that what you signed up in?
Thank you for reading Texas Chicks!
Erin
Yeah, the box just above the poll. It takes me to this page:
http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/subscription/login.php
And then since I don’t have a login, I tried to sign up, and it wouldn’t let me sign up without selecting a payment option.
Thank you for pointing that out to me! It’s fixed now. I wonder how long it’s been like that . . . .
Erin
Oh that is so strange. It was just working. Let me try something else. . . .
Wait just a minute and I’ll tell you when it “should” work!
Thanks Erin! Glad to be the squeaky wheel.
But I just tried again and it did it again.
Maybe it hates me.
Ok, now? Thanks for your patience!
Success! Thanks Erin!
can anyone tell me how i can link and get the full action for photoshop…. i tried the links here but no luck and then i goggled it but i only get the pdf about the actions..which really wet my appetite…wouldlove to see and download the action for the backdrops to use in photoshop..thanks to anyone who can help me out
BJC, as it says above, the action is being distributed by newsletter only. Click on the Subscribe to the Rooster Roster link on the right to be added to the newsletter list.
Thanks for reading Texas Chicks!
i am already subscribed i think that is how i knew about it but what i wanted was the action that works for PHOTOSHOP CS4 not elements…this one you mention is for elements… so i went to the link for the actioncenter but couldnt find it..is it not a free one that i can get for PHOTOSHOP
Oh, I understand. Go to ATNCentral and look at the Actions by Developer section. You’ll see Shannon Beauford and then you can look for Digital Backdrops in her section.
thanks for your help…i got it now… thanks again
I also tried to sign up for the newsletter and could not unless I chose a one of three products. I stumbled across your page looking for help with PSE. Great information and would love to get your newsletter.
Thanks!
Bev,
Have you tried again today? I think I was able to repair the broken link.
Thank you!
Erin
So so fun!Erin and Rita, THANKYOU!!!!
I had the same issue when trying to sign up for the newsletter, but was able to do it now. Thanks! So, will the action be sent to my email or will it show up in an upcoming newsletter? Thanks for your hard work on creating the action!
.-= Shelly Reeve´s last blog ..Team-Up Thursday: Sign =-.
Thank you for these actions! I never run my acitons through the action player…I use add-o-matic to install actions and run them from the drop down in the full edit window. When I try and use the these action from there, it does not work. Are these actions only meant to be used in the action player and not in the full edit window? I am using pse7 and windows xp. Thanks!!!!
Hi Kim,
These actions won’t work in the add-o-matic, you are right. You do need to install them into the action player.
Erin
Thanks Erin! Know I just have to remember to go to the action player
Haha! Do you mean that not everyone has that path branded into their brain with a searing hot iron like I do?
You can use the normal directions here http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/photography-page/installing-actions-in-photoshop-elements/ to find Locale. This is the path after that: Locale/en_US/Workflow Panels/Actions
Let me know if that doesn’t help!
Erin
Oh, I have the path branded alright…just always use the add-o-matic to install because I don’t understand that whole metadata file that needs to be installed. I upgraded from 5 to 7 so, never had to worry about the metadata or the action player. I always have my effects panel up and just access my actions through the photo effects. Like everything else, you get into habits and forget new things available to us. I will say I did install the action with add-o-matic and it does show up in the action player with all the options. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are there instructions available on how to install the digital backdrops you converted for Shannon B and how to use them in photoshop elements 8? I downloaded them for ATN Central but couldn’t find instuctions in the folder. Thanks
Try this link:
http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/photography-page/freebies-photoshop-lightroom/photoshop-elements-action-10-digital-backdrops/
I have a question about your actions, especially the Digital Background for Elements. I am running Elements 6.0. Am I going to be able to run this action, or is it designed for a higher version of Elements that apparently has an “action player”. I don’t know what an action player is, but is there a way to get “action player” actions to run in previous versions of Elements?
Matthew,
Actions that I created come with separate filed optimized for PSE 6.
Erin