Photoshop Actions

[Wilfried Buender]

I like to learn how to use actions in Photoshop CS4. Going about it by downloading some specific actions from the internet, using them and, to a certain degree, modify them to accommodate my needs. By reading up here and there I got the impression that action files (.atn extension) are compiled in Photoshop and cannot be edited in a word processor or similar.

I downloaded an action which generates a gallery type frame. One command of this action is ‘Set Layer Styles of Current Layer’ which includes the setup for ‘Dropshadow’ and ‘Bevel and Emboss’. Having a detailed look at the action step I realized that the individual vales for ‘Structure’ and ‘Shading’ setup for the ‘Bevel and Emboss’ section are not in sequence, i.e. first all values for ‘Structure’ setup, then all values for ‘Shading’ setup, or vice versa.

Does Photoshop compile an action that way or does that mean that this particular action has been altered using some other means. If there is another way to generate/edit and action, please let me know.

PS I can forward the action file by email, if necessary.

[Andy]

There's a guide at:

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/photoshop-actions/page-10.php

This is actually page 10 of what is a fairly comprehensive Photoshop tutorial.
Sorry I can't provide better detail but I've never tried editing actions myself so I'm learning too!

[Wilfried Buender]

Thanks for your reply, Andy. This guide is very comprehensive and I am going through it the last few weeks. It covers the complete array of tools available within PS, very good and handy. PS is compiling its actions using its very own method.
I thought there might be something else available in terms of coding which might make things more efficient, similar to HTML or JavaScript for example.

[Andy]

From what I understand there doesn't appear to be any way to edit the actions outside Photoshop. There are no decompilers or anything like that.

[Wilfried Buender]

Thanks Andy, I appreciate your response. A pity that Adobe keeps things so tight.

Cheers, Wilfried