Skip to main content
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer jane-e

If the Action sets (folders) were saved from the Action panel menu, they can now be loaded from the panel menu. If the set was never saved, they are gone.

~ Jane

4 replies

Earth Oliver
Earth Oliver
Legend
September 10, 2023

Sadly, Adobe has refused to address this loooooooooong standing issue, leading to countless users losing countless hours of work. All that needs to be done is that Actions are autosaved to a folder where all the other settings in Ps are autosaved. That Adobe doesn't seem to care about this and the users who suffer from it just blows my mind. How many more decades do we need to wait before Actions are auto-saved (and synced/backed up to the cloud)?

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 10, 2023
quote

All that needs to be done is that Actions are autosaved to a folder where all the other settings in Ps are autosaved.


By @Earth Oliver

 

They are already.

 

In the Preferences folder there is a file called ActionsPalette.psp. All your actions are stored here. If you save out this file and wipe all your actions, you get them back by copying this file back in. I just tested this.

 

But that is obviously not the recommended method, partly because you can't tell what's in there, and partly because it doesn't safeguard against corruption. Like everything else in the Prefs folder, it is rewritten on every closeout, proper or irregular.

 

The recommended, and most practical/efficient way, is to save out as .atn from the panel.

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2023

    Well said, @D Fosse . And in addition to actions, everything that is customized needs to be saved: brushes, swatches, and gradients, to name just a few — but everything!

     

    IMO, users have three choices:

    • learn how to Photoshop works so you don't lose files and settings
      or
    • create a feature request or bug report
      or
    • complain in the forums that Adobe doesn't care as was done in this thread. 

     

    Photoshop is 33 years old, and I suspect some of the staff were toddlers or unborn in 1990 when these decisions were first made. We don't know what they are working on or how hard it is to implement some of these changes to decades old code. But they do care. They care very much.

     

    @Earth Oliver you might want to create a feature request following these guidelines:

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-ideas/how-do-i-write-a-feature-request/idi-p/12384447

     

     

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 8, 2020

      More here, however, I don't hold much hope... You just have to live and learn in this case:

       

      https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/01/photoshop-custom-action-file-backup.html

       

        Stephen Marsh
        Community Expert
        Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 12, 2021

        I wrote a script to open the various preference file folders which may be hidden:

         

        https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/script-to-help-back-up-photoshop-settings/m-p/11517871

         

        J
        jazz-y
        Legend
        July 8, 2020

        use system backup: restore points in windows or time machine in macos

          JJMack
          Community Expert
          JJMackCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 8, 2020

          Using a restore point may backup you Photoshop references in time if it does not you may be able to get your user ID old Photoshop if backup users Application data.  They are in your user ID Photoshop preferences in a file named  "Actions Palette.psp" On windows my path is

          "C:\Users\(your User ID)\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2020\Adobe Photoshop 2020 Settings\Actions Palette.psp"

          JJMack
            morrisc8583523
            morrisc8583523
            Participant
            February 12, 2021

            Thank YOU sir for the windows path.  Totally saved my day.

              jane-e
              Community Expert
              jane-eCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
              Community Expert
              July 8, 2020

              If the Action sets (folders) were saved from the Action panel menu, they can now be loaded from the panel menu. If the set was never saved, they are gone.

              ~ Jane

                T
                ThefatdudeUK
                Participating Frequently
                September 10, 2023

                The thing is and I might be wrong i think that ppl mean the atn file itself keeps going missing.  I did have over 60 actions saved on a folder called actions but they all go missing and I have to start again must be a reason for this ? Anyway thx for all help so far

                  Earth Oliver
                  Earth Oliver
                  Legend
                  September 10, 2023

                  the reason is neglect. Adobe has neglected to fix this issue FOR DECADES. 

                  Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                  Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices