Deconstructing "actions" - DPChallenge Forums

01/04/2009 06:58:48 AM · #1

I'm not a total dweeb, but I can be dense at times. Is anyone out there good at deconstructing actions so I can better figure what the heck it's doing? The action is called "Super Fun Happy" and I got it from

timfythetoo. It does a folder's worth of stuff then adds four adjustable layers on top of that. I can figure the four layers. It's figuring out what, exactly, it does in the folder's worth of stuff. I can email it to someone for further study. I use it in CS3.

I'd also like to figure a few in Virtual Photographer but I'm not sure there's a way to figure those.

Message edited by author 2009-01-04 08:55:46.

01/04/2009 07:54:19 AM · #2

pm'd you :- )

01/04/2009 08:43:32 AM · #3

Need an email addy. :-)

01/04/2009 08:55:33 AM · #4

Update:

From what I can tell, the folder of layers has the following:

New layer
Stamp visible
Gaussian blur
Blending mode (overlay)

So I guess I'm wondering what "stamp visible" does?

After that it creates a dodge layer, a burn layer, a desat reds layer, and a warm up layer.

Those go as follows:
Curves layer
Invert
Curves layer
Invert (These are the dodge and burn layers)
Channel mixer
Blending options (normal, 40%)
Curves layer
Blending options (normal, 49%)

I can't figure how to see how the curves are set, though.

01/04/2009 09:09:00 AM · #5

Originally posted by Melethia:

Update:

From what I can tell, the folder of layers has the following:

New layer
Stamp visible
Gaussian blur
Blending mode (overlay)

So I guess I'm wondering what "stamp visible" does?

I can tell you about "stamp visible" -- it combines all of the visible layers of an image into a new layer. It is SO useful! The keyboard shortcut is ctrl + alt + shift + e

01/04/2009 09:22:16 AM · #6

Originally posted by cgino:

Originally posted by Melethia:
Update:

From what I can tell, the folder of layers has the following:

New layer
Stamp visible
Gaussian blur
Blending mode (overlay)

So I guess I'm wondering what "stamp visible" does?

I can tell you about "stamp visible" -- it combines all of the visible layers of an image into a new layer. It is SO useful! The keyboard shortcut is ctrl + alt + shift + e

So it keeps all previous layers as well as creating this new combined layer ?

01/04/2009 09:25:16 AM · #7

I dunno. I usually flatten everything first. Would the whole "new layer, stamp transparent" bit essentially be the same as flattening and creating a duplicate layer?

01/04/2009 09:41:16 AM · #8

Originally posted by Jedusi:

So it keeps all previous layers as well as creating this new combined layer ?

Yes. And layers that are not visible are not included in the new layer, but they are kept too.

01/04/2009 09:42:30 AM · #9

Originally posted by Melethia:

I dunno. I usually flatten everything first. Would the whole "new layer, stamp transparent" bit essentially be the same as flattening and creating a duplicate layer?

That's exactly it, like flattening everthing and making a duplicate layer. But it is so much better than doing that, because all of the previous layers are left untouched, so you can readjust them if need be.

01/04/2009 09:45:49 AM · #10

Originally posted by cgino:

Originally posted by Melethia:
I dunno. I usually flatten everything first. Would the whole "new layer, stamp transparent" bit essentially be the same as flattening and creating a duplicate layer?

That's exactly it, like flattening everthing and making a duplicate layer. But it is so much better than doing that, because all of the previous layers are left untouched, so you can readjust them if need be.

Hee! This assumes I do anything with my layers.... One of my goals for this year is to learn to use masking and such.

Thanks for the info!

01/04/2009 10:03:55 AM · #11

Originally posted by Melethia:

Hee! This assumes I do anything with my layers.... One of my goals for this year is to learn to use masking and such.

Well, when one is actually an excellent photographer in the first place (you), one doesn't need to rely so heavily on post processing tricks (me) :-)

01/04/2009 10:30:40 AM · #12

Originally posted by cgino:

Originally posted by Melethia:

Hee! This assumes I do anything with my layers.... One of my goals for this year is to learn to use masking and such.

Well, when one is actually an excellent photographer in the first place (you), one doesn't need to rely so heavily on post processing tricks (me) :-)

Oh, yeah, right. :)

01/04/2009 10:43:25 AM · #13

Originally posted by cgino:

I'm with you - I was going to set up a shrine to Deb . . but then I realised I wasn't worthy . . .

:- P

01/04/2009 10:47:41 AM · #14

Deb - if you run the action, then keep your 'layers' and 'history ' pallete open at once, surely you can just step backwards on the history and see what it does layer wise ? or am I being too simplistic ?