PSE Panos fx Actions & Grant's Tools

[landorasue]

Do any of you use Panos fx Actions or Grant's Tools in PSE 8, Win7 64-bit? is it safe to follow the instructions recreate the application's media library by renaming/deleting MediaDatabase.db3? I don't want to screw up anything in PSE 8. :confused: I'm very fearful of trying this.

[MsKaty]

I have used Panos actions since he first started making them for PSE (he started in Photoshop only) and have had no trouble. Also used Grant's Tools altho I haven't put them in the last few versions. Panos has some super actions and I think you will love them. I don't use PSE 8, bought it but liked 7 better, but I'm sure they will work there too. Be sure and use the instructions for your version. Good luck!!

[GreenEyedLadyDesigns]

Yes, it's safe to do that. Always rename tho, don't delete. That way, if there's a problem, you can rename it back and be fine.

Be prepared for a wait once you restart after renaming the file. It can take awhile for the file to rebuild.

[msbrad]

I would always trust those 2 men and the products that create. A third is Graffi.
m

[pssequimages]

Love Panos and Grant too! I love Al Ward too. (http://www.actionfx.com/) Amazin action writer for CS, but has incredible styles and goodies for Elements users too.

(http://www.graficalicus.com/graffishop/)

[Karen]

Lana I use both with PSE8 and they are brilliant. I don't think I could live without the layer mask in Grant's tools [grinning]

Karen

[Magnolia57]

I've used the Panos actions with both PSE 5 and 7 and never had a problem. Never used Grant's Tools though.

[Miss Pepper]

Lana I use both with PSE8 and they are brilliant. I don't think I could live without the layer mask in Grant's tools [grinning]

Karen

Me too, Karen, love it.

[Miss Pepper]

I would always trust those 2 men and the products that create. A third is Graffi.
m

Have used them all also, M, and never had a problem. :)

[landorasue]

Okay, well thanks, everyone. Maybe I'll get brave. I used Panos fx actions when I had CS2, but there was no need to rename/rebuild the mediadatabase file. That's the part that has me concerned. So, when I'm brave enough, I'll do what Vicki says about renaming the old file and not deleting it so I can restore it if necessary.

[Karen]

If my memory serves me correctly, the destructions with Panos' actions do tell you how to rename the file. Just make sure you follow the destructions to the letter and you will have no problems.

Karen

[landorasue]

If my memory serves me correctly, the destructions with Panos' actions do tell you how to rename the file. Just make sure you follow the destructions to the letter and you will have no problems.

Karen

Okay, thanks.

[Wendy]

Hi Sue ...

Don't worry about either of those :)

Panos does some fantastic actions and although Grant stopped supporting the Grant's Tools back in the days of PSE4 we have updated them for each version of Elements since then and Grant has posted them on his site.

When you download the Tools and unzip them you will see a Read Me Text File ... the instructions are in there. They don't cover Windows 7 but its the same as Vista ... so just follow the Vista paths regarding where to place the item.

If you do have any problems then just ask and someone will talk you through it :)

Wendy

[landorasue]

Hi Sue ...

Don't worry about either of those :)

Panos does some fantastic actions and although Grant stopped supporting the Grant's Tools back in the days of PSE4 we have updated them for each version of Elements since then and Grant has posted them on his site.

When you download the Tools and unzip them you will see a Read Me Text File ... the instructions are in there. They don't cover Windows 7 but its the same as Vista ... so just follow the Vista paths regarding where to place the item.

If you do have any problems then just ask and someone will talk you through it :)

Wendy

Wendy, how come when I used CS2, I only had to place the Actions in the correct folder without renamng/rebuilding anything?

Also, about how long does it take for the mediadatabase to rebuild?

[Karen]

I can answer the second question for you Lana, it can take quite a long time to rebuild the media database - make sure you wait until it has completely finished.

As to the first question, remember PSE & CS are similar but also very different.

Karen

[NancyP]

Oh my!! I feel like an alien!! You have no idea how long I have been trying to learn how to install plug ins, actions, styles, etc etc etc and I just can't grasp it!!! I just recently got PSE 8 and I DON'T LIKE IT!! I want my PSE 7 back!!! :o(

[Karen]

Nancy persevere with PSE8, it has some great advantages over PSE7.

Karen

[landorasue]

I can answer the second question for you Lana, it can take quite a long time to rebuild the media database - make sure you wait until it has completely finished.

As to the first question, remember PSE & CS are similar but also very different.

Karen

So, like an hour or two to rebuild?

[Karen]

No, I've never had a rebuild take that long. How about we yell for Priss?

Karen

[landorasue]

No, I've never had a rebuild take that long. How about we yell for Priss?

Karen

P-r-i-s-s..........W-e-n-d-y........About how long does it take for the PSE 8 mediadatabase to rebuild?

[msbrad]

I YELL in CAPITAL LETTERS, LOL.

I don't have vista on this computer, although will work with DH's laptop next week with it.

For me with actions in pse8...I stick them in the pathway...and restart.They've been there. (now...this computer has XP).

[Wendy]

Hi Lana ...

How long it takes to rebuild depends on your computer and how much you have installed in the Elements database ... the less powerful your computer and/or the larger your database the longer it takes.

I have quite a powerful MacPro and not many extras installed in the database so on mine it only takes a few seconds. Hopefully one of the others may be able to say how long it takes on their computers.

As far as Photoshop not needing all this messing about to install actions well its all to do with how Adobe designed Elements. Basically to write Elements they took Photoshop and removed some parts of the coding ... and they also took options out of the menus so that there wasn't access to those options.

Well back in the early days we found out that because some of the coding was still hidden inside Elements then we could use actions created in Photoshop to access them by the back door (instead of simply using a menu option as you would in Photoshop). However one of things Adobe had removed was the ability to install actions so we had to find a workaround to do that. Sadly its a bit complicated to install them.

... but the good news is that many versions later Adobe did create the Action player which does a similar if somewhat more limited feature.

Wendy

[KathyJ]

Hi Lana,

I am using PSE8 with Windows 7 and have Grant's Tools installed (could not live without them). As Wendy said, the rebuild depends on your computer. I have an HP Pavilion dv6-2064ca. Mine took a few minutes ( less than 10) ... which seems like forever ... LOL .... but worth it.

[landorasue]

I YELL in CAPITAL LETTERS, LOL.

I don't have vista on this computer, although will work with DH's laptop next week with it.

For me with actions in pse8...I stick them in the pathway...and restart.They've been there. (now...this computer has XP).

Hmmm, I wonder how come it works this easily on your compter. And the Actions perform correctly?

[landorasue]

Wendy, thanks for that explanation. It was very helpful. Thankfully, there are people like you who understand how to create the work arounds.

[landorasue]

Hi Lana,

I am using PSE8 with Windows 7 and have Grant's Tools installed (could not live without them). As Wendy said, the rebuild depends on your computer. I have an HP Pavilion dv6-2064ca. Mine took a few minutes ( less than 10) ... which seems like forever ... LOL .... but worth it.

Oh, okay. That's not too bad. Since I've never added any actions, mine should go quickly.