Photoshop Tutorial: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

You have to feel sorry for the actions in Photoshop. This is one thing that is almost always overlooked and is seen as something 'only the pros' use.

But it doesn't have to be like that. With a little thought, actions can bring a new dimension to using Photoshop and really speed up your work flow by recording series of events and re-use this series again in a later stage!

End result:
Actions Speak Louder Than Words Final Image

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Practice tutorial

Tags:actions

Step 1

First of all, it's really helpful to know where to find the actions screen. You can either go Window->Actions or ALT+F9.

Use ALT+F9!! Always try to use the keyboard shortcuts, if not for your sanity then for your mouse clicking finger.

You should get this popping up (or something extremely similar).

Step 2

Once the actions screen has appeared, you have another great option: you can drag the tab to the top right of the screen and it will automatically dock itself, so when you open Photoshop the next time it will be there ready and waiting for you like an old loyal dog, or until Photoshop inexplicably decides it wants to move it.

Step 3

Another great option with the action window is to set each one with a different color. Then all you need do is activate the Button mode command, which you can find in the drop down menu. This is especially good if you want to organize your actions by type, or whatever. The only draw back is that you can't record new actions in this mode.

Step 4

To show you how to record an action, we're going to use a very simple photo effect (and one of my all time favorites).

Open an image, then click the drop down menu in the actions panel. Choose 'New Action'. when the pop up screen appears, it is a very good idea to give your new action a unique name. You can also give it a specific color too.

Set indicates where you would like to put the action once it is finished. I want it in the default list so I am going to leave it alone.

Function lets you specify a keyboard shortcut to use. When you are ready, click the record button.

Step 5

Now whatever we do to the image will be recorded in our new action.

Press 'Q' on the keyboard and then the gradient tool. Holding shift, drag the gradient tool from the yellow line to the top of the screen. Notice that our action has changed:

Step 6

Press 'Q' again to exit the quick mask mode.

Step 7

Now go Filter->Blur->Lens Blur. Use these settings:

Step 8

CRTL+D to deselect. Notice how our action has been updated.

Step 9

Finally, CRTL+U to open the Hue/Saturation box. Just nudge up the saturation a few clicks:

Step 10

Right, the effect is finished so it is time to press stop and finish our recording. Click on the 'toys' action to get it ready to be used on the next image.

Step 11

Here's the before image:

Step 12

Oh dear. What went wrong? Well let's have a look at the action list:

Step 13

Ah, I know. If you look at the actions list in step 10 you will see two gradients. Can you see the first gradient? That shouldn't be there. Drag it over the trash can icon to delete it.

Step 14

As you can see, the actions are editable, which is a very powerful feature. Some images work well with this particular action and some other images need a bit of tweaking (and others look downright horrible). The great thing is though that you no longer need to do the whole process by hand (or mouse).

Some things can't be recorded, like the paint brush tool. But what you can do in this instance is to enter a stop command in the action. There is a whole lot more to actions and their uses, so now that you have the basics you can start to delve more deeply.

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