Archive for October, 2009
5 Fabulous Text Effect Tutorials
October 7th, 2009 | 
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Image taken from tutorial page
Image taken from tutorial page
Image taken from tutorial page
Image taken from tutorial page
Image taken from tutorial page
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A Definitive List of Photoshop Action Resources
The Sources
400+ Time Saving Photoshop Actions
This site is a mammoth in its own right when it comes to supplying actions. Many are geared for photography, but if you do a bit of digging in the mixed actions areas, you may strike gold!
Here’s another directory to some nifty actions. I’m fond of the old parchment and stamp actions, personally.
Small collection of some actions. My eyes lead me to the sharpening toolkit action.
Moderately tacky and outdated in terms of contemporary design, but if applied correctly and slightly altered gives them the possibility of creating something wonderful. Gradients don’t translate well into print, but I think that poor transition would suit some of these actions well. Also, can’t complain if they are free, right? Bonus points to the people who made them, nonetheless. 
20 Cool Text Effects Action Files
Yup, name implies all. This is a very nice hand selected set of actions. Even better is that all of them can be downloaded in one fell swoop on the site. Awesome.
30 Color Enhancement Photoshop Actions
These come from the same site as the 20 Cool Text Effect actions. Another great collection!
Addicted to Design Free Photoshop Actions
A handful of actions including infrared and Polaroid 600 instant film.
Productions Actions
These include the simple and tedious procedures in Photoshop… except action style!
Link to another blog post with more resources to finding more actions!
Final Thoughts
As you may have noticed, a good handful of the actions use photographs to portray the before and after results of the demonstrated action, but don’t be deterred from using them because of this! One of the great things about Photoshop, or any other design based application, is the ability to learn and create through playing. Play around with the actions on certain designs. Use more than one action and see what the end result is. Have fun and create something beautiful!
An Introduction to Photoshop Actions
What are Photoshop Actions?
A Photoshop action is simply a series of tasks and settings that are recorded and saved by Photoshop for later use and re-application. Actions can be used on a single file or in an automated batch. Also, when recording actions, the user can stop recording at any time to maybe adjust a few settings that they do not want to be added into the action. The action is saved in an .ATN file and can be easily loaded into your install of Photoshop.
Viewing the Actions Palette
If not already visible, the actions panel can be accessed by going under Window and clicking on the word Actions. Alternatively, you can press ALT+F9 to make the actions window appear. The window should look something like this when selected:
Photshop CS4 Actions Panel
How to Install a Photoshop Action
With the actions window selected, click on the menu for the window. There you will find the Load Actions option. Selecting it will cause a load dialog window to pop up. Select your actions, and you are ready to use them! In case you are unfamiliar with how to access the Load Actions option, the image below clarifies how and where to find it.
Actions Menu Location
How to Create Your Own Actions
Below is a video I found that does an excellent job of not only demonstrating the process of creating an action, but further strengthening the significance and increase of productivity of using Photoshop actions.
That’s really all there is to it. Next, we’ll be putting together a list of resources of where you can find a multitude of actions to increase creativity and productivity.
