Installing Actions in Photoshop Elements 9

Audience: Beginners
Category: Photoshop Elements Tips
Operating System: Windows 7
Software: Photoshop Elements 9

First, you want to be sure PSE is closed before you start to install your actions.

Some actions include several files for various versions of PSE. Also, some actions may include pattern (PAT) or brush (ABR) files which must also be installed in order for the action to work properly. Be sure to read any instructions that come with your purchase. For the examples in this tutorial I’ll be using Brandy Murry’s ScrapSimple Tools – Actions: Color Isolation 8501

This tutorial is written for Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. For operating systems other than Vista or Windows 7, see the instructions in the Scrap Girls ScrapSimple Instructions Handbook (Free ScrapSimple basics eBook)

Step 1 – After downloading and unzipping your action files, navigate to the folder where you have stored them on your computer. In my example, you’ll notice that Brandy has included folders for PS and PSE in addition to an instructions sheet, sample layouts and marketing images. I will want to open the PSE folder.

Step 2 – Within the PSE folder, there is one folder for PSE 5 and one folder for PSE 6, 7, 8, and 9. I will want to open the folder for versions 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Step 3 –Now I will press Ctrl + A on my keyboard to select all of the action (ATN) and image (PNG) files in the folder.

Step 4 – Now I’ll press Ctrl + C on my keyboard to copy the selected files.

Step 5 – Next, I’ll navigate to the PSE 9 Actions folder. In Vista and Windows 7 the path is:

OS (C:) > ProgramData > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.0 > Photo Creations > Photo Effects

MAC path:

Macintosh HD: Library > Application Support >Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.o > Photo Creations > Photo Effects

Step 6 – Now I’ll click once on any blank area in the window, and press Ctrl + V to paste my copied files into the PSE Actions folder.

Step 7 – Now I need to navigate to the MediaDatabase.db3 file to delete it. The path is:

OS (C:) > ProgramData > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.0 > Locale > en us

MAC: Macintosh HD: Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 9.0 > Locale > en_US

Now I’ll select the MediaDatabase.db3 file, right click on it and select delete from the menu that opens.

Step 8 – Next, I’ll close the window and restart Photoshop Elements. I’ll need to allow time for the database to rebuild, which may take up to 25 minutes or longer. While the database is rebuilding, I see a progress indicator in the middle of my workspace; when it closes, I’ll know the database has finished rebuilding.

Step 9 – Now I can go to the EFFECTS palette, click on the Photo Effects icon (third icon from the left), and from the drop down menu on the right, select Show All. Now I’ll scroll down to see that the actions I have just installed are ready for me to use.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful, and we’d love to see some of your digital scrapbooking creations using ScrapSimple Tools:  Actions. So if you’ve never used them, I encourage you to give them a try, have fun with them, and be sure to post your creations in the Scrap Girls Gallery for us to ooooh and aaaah over. If you have questions or problems installing your actions, don’t hesitate to post questions in the Scrap Girls Forum.

Tutorial written by Theresa Guyer