Install Actions in PSE

[herrington760]

Hello everyone. This is my first post and I am VERY new to PSE so I hope you all will be patient, but.... I was reading through the forum and saw a thread that mentioned being able to actions in PSE. I went to the various sites, downloaded the actions, installed them in my plugins folder but they do not show up in the Filters menu. Specifically, I am looking for a softening filter to use on my portraits. If someone can explain how to upload an image, I will show you an example. It is of an older couple and she would like to look a little less wrinkled, but I don't know how to do that. Sorry for the long post. I look forward to meeting all of you.

[AngelicKim]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You can uplaod a photo at www.pixentral.com Save you photo as Save for Web and make it 700ppi at the widest side and make sure .jpg is chosen. Click ok, name file, go to Pixentral and upload it. Then copy the link below the photo and come back to this thread a paste the link into a new post.

You should do a search from the menu above of installing actions in PSE5. There have been a few threads about it. I don't have it but have read some of the threads and it looks like loading actions in it is hard. Upload your photo and someone will most likely be able to help you as several are already using v5

[Wendy]

Hi ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

Did you make sure that the actions you downloaded were written for PSE and not for the full version of Photoshop.... ??

This thread should help you to install actions but if you are very new to Elements then it may be better to find your way around Elements before you experiment with actions ... :)

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14279

Wendy

[graficalicus]

I went to the various sites, downloaded the actions, installed them in my plugins folder but they do not show up in the Filters menu.

In PSE 1-4, they'll show up in your Styles & Effects palette - not the Filters palette - in a drop menu to the right at the top of the palette. in PSE 5, they show up in the Artwork & Effects palette, in the Special Effects section (the middle icon at the top of the palette). Use the drop menu to the left of the top of this palette to choose "Photo Effects", and use the drop menu at the right to select the action set you added.

Specifically, I am looking for a softening filter to use on my portraits.
You might like the Glam Photo set over at my place - looks like you made an acct the other day.

For a really quick way to soften, though, duplicate the layer with your subject on it, run a Gaussian Blur on it, change the layer's blend to Soft Light, and adjust the layer's opacity. Use a mask (if you have that tool available) to bring back some crispness to certain areas (eyes, lips, hair, etc.) - - if you don't have a mask, you can use a soft-edged eraser to bring these areas back into focus.

Contact me off-list - - - - :cool:

[herrington760]

Thanks guys for responding so quickly - I will try your suggestions and let you know how it goes.