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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 10, 2019 17:02:10 GMT
I found Curves in PSE13. It's under Effects and is called Action Curves. I'm not sure if it's in PSE, I installed Grants Tools a long time ago this may be one of his Tools. Perhaps Sepiana can help me here. Here's a screen shot:  upload images |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 10, 2019 17:31:27 GMT
Wait a minute... Action Curves must not be a feature of PSE. It must be from Grant's Tools. However, the "Options" button is not working.
Paul |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 10, 2019 23:17:48 GMT
Paul, The built-in Curves feature in Elements is Color Curves (accessed via the Enhance menu). If you have Curves available via the Effects panel, then, it is an add-on. It looks like you are using Grant’s Tools; Curves is one of the actions in this set. Here is my experience with Curves in Grant's Tools using PSE 11 and PSE 13 (the same versions you have), loaded via both the Effects and the Actions panel. PSE 11 – No problem using Options. It works just fine PSE 13 – It is a no-go. An error message pops up when I click on the Options button. Possible workaround: Use PSE 11 as this action works just fine in this version. |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 11, 2019 13:01:22 GMT
I do have version 11... terrific! I'd forgotten it was there. I opened it, but it doesn't have Grant's Tools installed. So, all I need to do is install that.
I'll probably need some help installing Grant's Tools, stay tuned.
Thanks, Sepiana!
Paul
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 11, 2019 13:53:36 GMT
Yep, I do need help installing Grant's Tools in my PSE11. I've unzipped my Grant's Tools, the folder contains all the tools. My understanding is to copy them over into the Effects folder of Elements. Where is that holder, I'm wondering.
PS: Wait a minute, is this it? C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\11.0\Photo Creations\photo effects
I was about to copy the Tools over but some of them are already there.
Anyway, after I figure this out, don't I delete the db3 file, restart Elements and let it rebuild the db3? It's coming back to me now.
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 11, 2019 14:49:07 GMT
Starting with PSE 11, Adobe made it much easier to use actions. There is no longer the need to install them in the photo effects folder, delete the MediaDatabase.db3 file, etc. You just load the .atn files to be accessed via either the Actions panel or the Effects panel. Via the Effects Panel:1. Go to Window>Effects. 2. Click on the four-lined square in the upper right corner of the Effects panel and select Load Effects. 3. In the dialog box that opens up navigate to where you saved the action (.atn file) on your computer and click on the Load button. (Or you can just double-click on the .atn file.) 4. The action you loaded will appear in a category called My Effects.  Via the Actions Panel:1. Go to Window>Actions. 2. Click on the four-lined square in the upper right corner of the Actions panel and select Load Actions. 3. In the dialog box that opens up navigate to where you saved the action (.atn file) on your computer and click on the Load button. (Or you can just double-click on the .atn file.) 4. To run the action click on the Play button in the panel’s upper right corner.  |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 11, 2019 18:28:27 GMT
Installing Grant's Tools in my PSE 11 went well except that each file in the My Effects panel depicted a tree. (I chose the Effects route because that's what I'm used to my PSE 13. When I click on the tree nothing happens.
I did some searching for help but no luck. Sorry!
Paul
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 11, 2019 19:24:41 GMT
In PSE 11, I am getting the action-specific thumbnail, not the "tree" thumbnail. For some reason, sometimes, Elements will not generate the specific thumbnail for an action; it just uses a "generic" thumbnail. However, this should not prevent the action from working. Try double-clicking on the thumbnail. Just single-clicking won't work for me; I have to double-click.
If you still can't get the action to work via the Effects panel, then, the solution is to run it via the Actions panel. There have been confirmed reports that some actions won't work when loaded via the Effects panel but will work when loaded via the Actions panel. As a matter of fact, the experts recommend using the Actions panel.
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 11, 2019 23:28:31 GMT
Sepiana,
At first, when I opened the two actions, Curves and Channel Mixer in the Effects panel, they showed trees in the thumbnails. And the actions didn't open either. This afternoon, they suddenly started working, although the thumbmails continue to show trees.
As for opening the actions via the Actions panel, I wasn't able to get those up and running. Maybe they'll pop in eventually too. Which tab do I use to call up those actions? They very from 3 or 4, up to about half a dozen. I think I should use the first tab.
Thank you!
Paul
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 11, 2019 23:56:51 GMT
Paul, did you follow the instructions I posted earlier in this thread on how to load actions via the Actions panel? Curves should show up there. If the folder is closed, you need to open it. Then, select Curves and click on the Play button.   |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 12, 2019 13:17:56 GMT
Sepiana,
Yes, I was following your instructions, and it's working now. In fact, both approaches, Effects and Actions are working. The only thing not working are the action specific thumbnails. But as long as the title is there, I can live without those thumbnails.
Thanks so much for all your help!
Paul
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 13, 2019 5:40:06 GMT
You are most welcome! Glad to hear the Curves action is working in both panels (Effects and Actions). As far as the problem with the specific thumbnail for this action, . . . I tested loading this action in PSE 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2018, 2019, and 2020 installed on two computers. No problem! The action-specific thumbnail was generated. However, in some situations, this does not happen. Then, the workarounds suggested are to use the Actions Panel or to accept the present thumbnail (generic). Now, here is something you could try . . . When you load an action via the Effects panel, Elements automatically places the .atn file and generates a .png file (for the thumbnail) in the photo effects folder.
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\x.x\Photo Creations\photo effects Check if you have this action-specific file. If you do, then, try to force Elements to accept it. Delete the ThumbDatabase.db3 file. C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\x.x\ThumbDatabase.db3Hopefully the new generated .db3 file will display this thumbnail in the Effects panel.  |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 13, 2019 12:22:15 GMT
Sepiana, Sorry to report no .png files... I do have .atn and .jpg files. The jpgs are our beloved trees. Other actions in the folder (not related to our needs) do have their pngs. But not us  Shall I proceed with the db3 route? Or maybe delete the Tools and do a fresh install? Paul |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Dec 13, 2019 12:30:43 GMT
Wait a minute... why don't I just go back to my original unzipped folder for Grants Tools - and just manually copy the needed png files over to the Photo Effects folder?
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 13, 2019 12:54:04 GMT
Paul, great idea -- to use the .png file included in the Grant's Tools! Kudos to you! Keeping my fingers crossed.
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