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M
Michael_tB
Participating Frequently
October 31, 2019
解決済み

how to organize photoshop action(group)s

  • October 31, 2019
  • 返信数 2.
  • 4558 ビュー

I'm having a hard time organzing many, many photoshop actions. There seems to be something called "set" but nowhere can I find how to see the difference between an Action and an Action Set. I often download/buy actions, they too could be one or the other. When I creat a new action set from the menu, and then try to drag such actions (groups?) into the set, they simply change places/order, but no "nesting"occurs.

For example: I have several actions to help me create vectorized/line art/drawings from photographs. The actions names vary enourmously, so I just want one "container" within the actions panel for all of them.

I hope I've made myself clear, as googling this subject has left me almost empty handed.

    解決に役立った回答 jane-e

    Hi

    The set is the folder, or container, that you put the actions in. 

    • A folder (set) does not have to have any actions, but an action must be in a folder (set).
    • The set must be saved when you add,  delete, or edit an action or you risk losing those changes (use the panel menu).
    • Actions can be moved to another set by dragging or copied with Option+Drag (Alt+Drag on Windows)
    • As you note, sets cannot be nested. You can’t put a set into another set.
    • Each set can hold multiple actions. Save the set.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/creating-actions.html#creating_actions

     

    Jane

    返信数 2

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 21, 2025

    An action set is really a file (.atn), despite it's folder icon! As such, one can't drag a folder into a folder, as this is really dragging a file into a file, not a folder. Clear as mud?

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert解決！
      Community Expert
      October 31, 2019

      Hi

      The set is the folder, or container, that you put the actions in. 

      • A folder (set) does not have to have any actions, but an action must be in a folder (set).
      • The set must be saved when you add,  delete, or edit an action or you risk losing those changes (use the panel menu).
      • Actions can be moved to another set by dragging or copied with Option+Drag (Alt+Drag on Windows)
      • As you note, sets cannot be nested. You can’t put a set into another set.
      • Each set can hold multiple actions. Save the set.

       

      https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/creating-actions.html#creating_actions

       

      Jane

        M
        Michael_tB作成者
        Participating Frequently
        November 1, 2019

        Thank you Jane, for this answer.

        You say an action always has to be in a folder i.e. "action set", but how does it get there, e.q. when one records an action? I have done that, and was never asked to create a folder for it .....

        Secondly, if I receive an action I bought, does this mean it automatically comes in its own folder/set? And if so, how to tell where and individual action begins and ends?

         

        jane-e
        Community Expert
        jane-eCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 1, 2019

        Hi Michael,

         

        You're welcome.

         

        "how does it get there, e.q. when one records an action?"

        When you click the New button for an action, you should get this dialog box. Name the Action and select a set from the set text box next to "Set: ".  If you need to create a new set (folder, container) first, then click the folder icon at the bottom of the Actions panel. If you are not chosing a location, then it is being chosen for you.

         

        What does this dialog box look like for you if you are not choosing a set when creating a new action?

         

         

        "how to tell where and individual action begins and ends?"

        When you expand a set, you will see each action listed in the set. Expand an action to see each step in the action.

         

        'if I receive an action I bought, does this mean it automatically comes in its own folder/set?"'

        I have never bought an action — I've only used actions I've written because I need to perform the same steps on multiple files. I don't think an action can exist outside of a set. When the set is saved, it has a .atn extension.

         

        Please ask again if this is not clear.

         

        ~ Jane

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