Watercolor Artist Action Set from Adobe Create Magazine

[Walter_H]

Will the Watercolor Artist Action Set from Adobe Create Magazine work in PSE 2020?

[Greg_S.]

It sort of works.  There are a few commands in the Action that are not available in Elements 2020 and you have to click through them many times to continue with the action.  I didn't fully read the instructions for the Action before trying it and it took me a few attempts to get it going.  Also, be aware that the action takes several minutes to complete.    Here is a screenshot showing the result within the original image.  Had I read the instructions properly, I may have ended up with something better.

[Phinny]

It's always been my understanding that "some" Ps actions (created in Photoshop) can be imported and used in PSE.  Other Ps actions simply won't work.  You probably knew that much.  After giving your link a look over (and the video) I'm inclined to think those actions might be a little above PSE's paygrade but who knows.  Pretty cool if it could be used.

https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/photoshop-elements/using/using-actions-process-photos.html

[Walter_H]

I may give it a try! Greg, Phinny, thanks for your feedback. Do you have any info or advice on install differences between PS & PSE? I don't want to muck up my smoothly running PSE 2020.

[Greg_S.]

I just tried it in PS Big Brother and ran into the same problems as I had with PSE.  So, I think it's a problem with the Action itself.  Or maybe I should RTFM.   😁

Running the same photo in PS CC:

[Phinny]

I wish I could offer some useful advice, wchettel.  There was some chit chat in the comments section about problems even some Photoshop users were having but no mention of PSE.  Darn it.

[Greg_S.]

OK.  I finally read (and followed) the instructions.  I didn't see that you had to load some brushes and patterns into the program for the Action to work.  CC worked without issue.  I still had a couple of hiccups in PSE but here are the finished results in each. 

The CC is more vibrant but this may be because of differences in the original selection that has to be made.  And the image can be edited in Expert mode, although the layer structure is daunting.

[Walter_H]

Thanks for your feedback Greg & Phinny! When I have time this weekend I think I'll give it a try and report back on my experience.

[Phinny]

Amazing.  Thanks for running away with the show Greg and kudos.  I need to give this a whirl in 2019 now and, if things go well, may try flattening the result and selectively pumping up the vibrance manually.  One of the variables is it works best on photos with a balance of shadow/midtones/highlights like the one of the sax player.  Sheesh that one is just perfect.

[Phinny]

A quick follow up, not surprisingly, PSE 2019 and this action didn't pair up well.  By that I mean, at a few intervals along the way, the action paused to report something or other couldn't be found (no pixels selected, etc) and offered a continue button to resume playing the action anyway.  The end result was very similar to Gregs attempt to run it in PSE 2020.  Meh.