:bow: I found the power in actions for HPE2 and LOVE IT! Can anyone point me to where I could find some more HPE2-PSE2 Certified actions (e.g. those that have been found to definitely work in Photoshop Elements 2)?

Sorry I missed your question, but better late than never...

You found the Elements compatibe actions available at the HPPE site, right?

http://www.hiddenelements.com/freetools.html

There's an alternative method called SnapActions. Save theory as HPPE, but different implementation SnapActions and HPPE add-on can co-exist.

See: http://www.geocities.com/rnlnero/PE2stuff2.html

I've said repeatedly that the snapactions package can't do anything Hidden Power can't. The actions there are easily converted to hidden Power, and the reverse is NOT true. many people are confused by the two packages...I wish we could stick to one. Both are free.

I've said repeatedly that the snapactions package can't do anything Hidden Power can't. The actions there are easily converted to hidden Power, and the reverse is NOT true. many people are confused by the two packages...I wish we could stick to one. Both are free.

After rereading the original post I realize now Doc was looking specifically for HPPE compatible actions, not Photoshop Elements-compatible actions in general as I had originally thought. Had that sunk in I would not have suggested he investigate installing SA as an additional source of Photoshop Elements compatible actions.

It's probably moot anyway. The original question was posted over a month ago and went unanswered until yesterday.

Actually, I still have been trolling for a response and appreciate both of you weighing in. Your post was helpful, Danny, in that I have been able to download some additional actions from that site, but have chosen to use them in the HPE interface.

In terms of being moot, maybe you or Richard could help me understand..... I now own Photoshop Elements 3 and am waiting until December to get the new tools that Richard has developed to get actions going again in Photoshop Elements 3. I know that the interface has changed from Photoshop Elements 2 to 3, but will those Photoshop Elements 2 actions themselves have to be rewritten or can those elements-compatible actions already out there still be used?

Actually, I still have been trolling for a response and appreciate both of you weighing in. Your post was helpful, Danny, in that I have been able to download some additional actions from that site, but have chosen to use them in the HPE interface.

In terms of being moot, maybe you or Richard could help me understand..... I now own Photoshop Elements 3 and am waiting until December to get the new tools that Richard has developed to get actions going again in Photoshop Elements 3. I know that the interface has changed from Photoshop Elements 2 to 3, but will those Photoshop Elements 2 actions themselves have to be rewritten or can those elements-compatible actions already out there still be used?

Hey, Doc:

Glad you found some value in my reply.

re: Will Photoshop Elements 3 run actions originally made compatible for Photoshop Elements 2?
My bet is, "Yes." As I understand it from Richard the underlying "plumbing" is different between 2 and 3 which required him to remodel the HTPE add-on. Sort of like "You'll still be able to drive the same cars (actions), but will need to park them in a different garage."

Richard will know for sure.

~Danny~

p.s. You hitched your horse to the right wagon. Ling (the SnapAction developer) told me recently SnapActions for Photoshop Elements 3.0 was not in her plans. Based on his track record, Richard will be around for the long haul.

> Based on his track record, Richard will be around for the long haul.

Yes, i will. To me the long-haul was never a question.

As far as actions are concerned, I had to change the deployment to the Effects menu. At once this is easier and more limiting. Easier because the installation does not require knowing HTML, and more limiting as each action has to be in its own set (the Effects menu has categories so things can be segmented). That may mean re-recording (or editing) actions. There have also been changes prompted by the shift...actions can't reference other actions (at least not that i have found), and some of the functionality has changed. For example, steps taken by an action are not held in undo, so actions recorded to take a step backward will likely fail.

My tools will NOT move directly into Elements 3 -- neither the ones from the book or the free tools. the Mend and Dynamic Image tools which I released later will work in PE3.

What specificaly are you looking for?

I see that it will be a little more complex. For actions, I mostly use the ones like Bud's frames, text effects, 10D workflow, and some of the noise reduction and sharpening actions. Do you think there will be a starter set of actions like there was when the HPE tool came out? Hopefully, more people will help to get a nice library of Photoshop Elements 3 certified actions set up over the next several months.

Thanks again to both of you for your replies!

> Hopefully, more people will help to get a nice library of Photoshop Elements
> 3 certified actions set up over the next several months.

I can pretty safely say that almost no one was interested in helping develop or convert actions -- even people that were making money off of them! I don't know why that is. If we can get a list going here, and/or get some people interested, I would be glad to promote their stuff -- so long as they work WITH me... that other tool set was a result of someone working with me for a while, and then deciding it was best to just take the idea and run. I can't guarantee I'll have tons of time to convert actions myself, as I may be picking up a very demanding project over the next few months.

I'd make a good try at it though!

I am disappointed about the lack of enthusiasm for others to develop or convert actions for elements.... :bawling:

Is it really that hard? I mean, no need to give a detailed explanation, but what skills does it take to convert an action already written? I can imagine it is one thing to overcome the lack of a channel mixer in a pre-written action, but for the more simple ones, is it a big mess?

I am disappointed about the lack of enthusiasm for others to develop or convert actions for elements.... :bawling:

Is it really that hard? I mean, no need to give a detailed explanation, but what skills does it take to convert an action already written? I can imagine it is one thing to overcome the lack of a channel mixer in a pre-written action, but for the more simple ones, is it a big mess?

My .02 (or maybe .03):
* Having converted some of my actions to be Photoshop Elements compliant (for Richard) I can say that as long as one has accurate and complete specifications (or Photoshop Elements limitations if you will), converting most actions isn't a big thing.
* It can, however, be very challenging to bring complex actions into Photoshop Elements compliance. For example the new PSE3 restriction against "actions calling actions" could stand in the way of upgrading popular actions like some of those in the Bud Guinn Frames collections. As I recall Bud used this technique fairly often.
* Since actions can only be written and modified in Photoshop, what incentive (other than the satisfaction of doing a kind thing) does a typical Photoshop user have to convert actions that already work on his computer?
* Along the same lines I sense that many $500 Photoshop users (still) look down their noses at (and are somewhat resentful of) less than $100 Photoshop Elements users and are inclined to "hold onto" one of the few major differences remaining between these two programs.
* IMO to do this right (quality-wise) one should have PSEx and the HPPE actions add-on installed (or know someone who does) in order to test / certify the modifications. While not required, many Photoshop users would not go out of their way to acquire and install Elements or HPPE tools.

I believe you gotta love doing this kind of thing, enjoy doing it for no reward other than personal satisfaction, have the time to do it and, ideally, PSEx and the HPPE add-on installed. That eliminates a lot of folks who listen to radio station WII-FM (What's In It - For Me?).

~Danny~