How can I create an new action at Photoshop Elements?

[Katrin5E40]

Hi, I just bought and installed Photoshop Elements on my Mac Book Pro. Unfortunatelly I cannot create a new action, because the button "actions" does not offer "new action". Just the presets.... Who can help me?

[jane-e]

Hi

Since your question is about Photoshop Elements, I have moved this from the Photoshop forum where you posted.

~ Jane

[MichelBParis · Accepted solution]

No Elements versions can create actions, they can play actions. You need Photoshop to create actions.

[nickli22]

Michel how can I get actions as well as plug ins for my Elements 2020?

[Walter_H]

@nickli22, Why not try searching the internet for "photoshop elements actions" or "photoshop elements plug ins"?

[nickli22]

I have done that Walter. and every time I do all I come up with is photoshop plug ins and Actions. I would be fine with purchasing some of them but they dont seam to work on elements..If you have any ideas on how to go about this I would love to hear them. That being said thanks for taking the time. Cheers.

[Walter_H]

Nickli22, You may not be digging deep enough in your search. There are LOTS of them available! What type of action or plug-in are you looking for? I'm not going to search for you, but here's one website with lots of free actions. The Coffeeshop Blog.

[nickli22]

Thanks Walter. 

[nickli22]

Jane you could have answered her  question first  then moved the question. Just sayin.

[jane-e]

---

@nickli22 wrote:

Jane you could have answered her  question first  then moved the question. Just sayin.

---

If I used Elements or thought I might have an answer for Katrin, I would have done so, Nickli22. @MichelBParis was able to give her an answer fairly quickly on 3 January.

~ Jane

[hatstead]

Lo

Here is a source for actions;
200+ free Photoshop actions: 3D, animation, special fx (panosfx.com)

[Wuastr]

Action files cannot be created in Photoshop Elements. However, you can load more action files (.atn files) that have been created in Adobe Photoshop. Just need to find a way to create an .atn file outside of Photoshop elements.. 

[Glenn 8675309]

Bajillions of free actions available:  a good place to start:

https://fixthephoto.com/free-photoshop-actions

When you run actions, they will mostly work- till they get to something that PS can do, but PSE cannot- the action simply stops-  leaving the action producing poor results when the action is played. 

I just slap the ATN files here for PSE 2023:

C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\21.0\Presets\Actions

[Wuastr]

Thanks! I actually do not use PS or even PSE professionally and certainly cannot justify the monthly fee for PS. I have a small project of documenting 600 artworks from an undiscovered artist who was born in 1900 in Vienna and experienced WWII in Berlin. Really wonderful pieces. I wish to present photos of his work on the web [link removed as per forum guidelines]  and need a simple action to add a watermark layer to each. The website is a work in progress. Tough having to learn PSE and Wordpress simultaneously, but keeps this retired avionics engineer busy.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/watermark-design.html

I just don't wish to go the trial period route for 7 days with PE just to get a simple action made, but will if necessary. 

[Glenn 8675309]

I only pay $10.84 a month....with tax.   Yes it really is that cheap.   

The $9.99 plan can be difficult to find:   

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html

It's one of those things that I pay for each month without thinking about it---- it's the cost of two foo foo coffees...

[Wuastr]

Thanks Glenn. In Germany the cost would be over $150 a year with a year subscription for PS only that cannot be canceled. PS is like a Ferrari and I just need a Golf!. I will stick with PSE and live with the limitations. Good tip though 

[Jeff Arola]

In the photoshop elements editor have a look at File>Process Multiple Files from which you can add watermark text to your files.

[Wuastr]

Excellent! Thanks. That sounds like a good solution.

[Jeff Arola]

On the Mac side

/Users/UserName/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop Elements 21/Presets/Actions