Photoshop Action location in Windows

[Plus24]

I am still using Photoshop 5 on my computer. I'll be replacing my computer shortly (still going to use Windows 7 64) and am hoping to transfer my actions, presets, etc. to my new computer so I don't have to re-create them.

I've located an Actions folder (C:/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CS 5.1/Presets/Actions.

All files in the Actions folder are .ATN files (whatever that means). All files in the folder were created on the same day. I'm guessing these files are default files that came with Photoshop and not my custom action files that I created over time. It is these custom files that I wish to locate and transfer to my new computer.

I also have several crop tool presets (different standard crop sizes for printing). Does anyone know where they are located so I can also transfer them to my new computer?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Plus24

 

[Historicity]

I am still using Photoshop 5 on my computer. I'll be replacing my computer shortly (still going to use Windows 7 64) and am hoping to transfer my actions, presets, etc. to my new computer so I don't have to re-create them.

I've located an Actions folder (C:/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop CS 5.1/Presets/Actions.

All files in the Actions folder are .ATN files (whatever that means). All files in the folder were created on the same day. I'm guessing these files are default files that came with Photoshop and not my custom action files that I created over time. It is these custom files that I wish to locate and transfer to my new computer.

I also have several crop tool presets (different standard crop sizes for printing). Does anyone know where they are located so I can also transfer them to my new computer?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Plus24

Plus 24

From what you've written, if I haven't misunderstood you, I've done something like what you want on two different computers -- not transfer individual files, however. I used to do things like that ages ago but can't imagine doing it nowadays.

What I did was to make a system backup of the drive containing my operating system and all my programs, in my case, my C drive. In other words I backed up my entire C Drive. I think Windows 7 in its backup utility calls it a "System Image". I don't use Photoshop, but I do use Lightroom, but that doesn't make any difference. Windows 7 64 allowed me to back up my entire drive and then install it on a new drive in a new computer. I did that when I needed to upgrade my desktop to get more memory than my motherboard permitted. Later the lid on my laptop cracked so I did it again with that.

However, if I had to do that today, I would think twice about it -- that is about using Windows 7 again. I read recently that Microsoft was going to quit making upgrades for Windows 7 in about 6 months. As much as I hated Windows 8 (deleting it from my laptop and replacing it with 7) I think I would bite the bullet next time and accept Windows 8. I understand, although I don't have any first hand knowledge, that you can install 8 and then make it look and behave just like (or perhaps almost like) 7.

Lawrence

 

[BrianPriceUK]

Hi

Copy the entire contents of the Presets folder to a USB stick, and paste them to

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 (64 Bit)\Presets

on your new computer

Brian

 

[Plus24]

Historicity,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, my new computer is a laptop provided at work. They are going from a laptop that was upgradable to one that is not. I had upgraded my current laptop with more RAM and a larger HD. The new laptop is not upgradable and comes with an SSD that is much smaller in size than my current HD. I will have to use an external USB HD to provide enough space to hold all my photography.

Photoshop CS 5.1 will be on my new Laptop's SSD but not of my personal files, including my photography, will be on the SSD. They will now have to reside on my external HD.

My employers image my new computer at the tech dept. and I then am free to add whatever programs I want on remaining SSD space. So, your suggestion of imaging my current C Drive on my new laptop is not possible for me.

I do appreciate your thoughtful reply and wish I could implement your suggestion. It would make my life easier!

Plus24

 

[Plus24]

Brian,

Thanks for also replying. I'll try your suggestion as soon as I get the new computer with Photoshop CS 5.1 (same version as on my current laptop) installed. I should get the new computer within a week and will post again with the results of implementing your suggestion.

Plus24

 

[Wayne Larmon]

Hi

Copy the entire contents of the Presets folder to a USB stick, and paste them to

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 (64 Bit)\Presets

on your new computer

I'm just in the process of configuring my new computer and one of the things yet to do is copy over the collection of Actions that I created. I just looked at my desktop computer (where I will be copying from) and see

C:\Users\Wayne\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS6\Presets\Actions\Wayne's Actions.atm

Generally Windows programs saves any data that is specific to your account in the

C:\Users\{Your Account}\AppData\Roaming\

folder (where {Your Accout} means your user name. AppData is a hidden directory (folder) so you need to go to (Windows 7)
Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization/Folder Options/View
and make sure that "Hidden files and folders/Show hidden files, folders, and drives" is enabled.

And uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" if that is checked. To reduce the odds of clicking on an "HotEyeCandy.zip.exe" file that ends up on your computer. And so you can see file extensions so you know what kind of files they are. Defaulting to "Hide extensions for known file types" is one of the stupidest ideas that Microsoft ever had. IMO.

FWIW, if you made any custom camera DNG profiles, they will be in

C:\Users\{Your Account}\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CameraRaw\CameraProfiles

etc.

I have these directories in my list of directories that get backed up, so I can always retrieve them when needed. After I get a computer configured, the first thing I do is take a look at my

C:\Users\Wayne\AppData\Roaming\

directory and determine what data needs to be backed up on a regular basis. I do this selectively--I only back things (like Photoshop Actions) that I know and understand. I don't back up the entire "Roaming" directory tree and then blindly copy it to the new computer. I do this on a directory-by-directory basis.

Adopting a convention of hiding important user data in a hidden (!) folder also ranks up there on the stupid ideas list. In case anybody is keeping count.

Wayne

 

[Vernon D Rainwater]

Historicity,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, my new computer is a laptop provided at work. They are going from a laptop that was upgradable to one that is not. I had upgraded my current laptop with more RAM and a larger HD. The new laptop is not upgradable and comes with an SSD that is much smaller in size than my current HD. I will have to use an external USB HD to provide enough space to hold all my photography.

Photoshop CS 5.1 will be on my new Laptop's SSD but not of my personal files, including my photography, will be on the SSD. They will now have to reside on my external HD.

My employers image my new computer at the tech dept. and I then am free to add whatever programs I want on remaining SSD space. So, your suggestion of imaging my current C Drive on my new laptop is not possible for me.

I do appreciate your thoughtful reply and wish I could implement your suggestion. It would make my life easier!

Plus24

So, your suggestion of imaging my current C Drive on my new laptop is not possible for me.

Is this because you are not permitted to image the C Drive --OR-- because you don't have the proper software to accomplish this.

--

Vernon....

 

[Plus24]

I am a teacher and my school has a laptop program. All students have laptops and the school is wireless. Our tech department images all student and teacher laptops. Students own their laptops but they must use the school image for their computers so they can access our wireless capabilities. We teachers do not own our laptops. We can put personal programs on our laptops but the image is provided by the school. We do not have access to the software used for the image. They provide me with the Adobe CS suite 5.5 which includes Photoshop. I do professional photography on the side and also provide photographic services for the school gratis.

So, I suppose the answer to your question is yes: I am not permitted to image the computer and I don't have access to the software.

Once I have my new laptop with the school software, Adobe, and Office Suite loaded I am free to load my own software and modify Photoshop as I please. That's why I was asking about how to transfer all of my custom actions and presets that I had created in Photoshop on my old computer. I also need to find the ICC profiles that I created for custom printing. I calibrate my monitor with ColorMunki and create custom printer profiles for my Epson 3800 and Epson R2400 printers. So, any help in locating the printer and ICC profiles for my Epson Paper on my old computer would also be appreciated.

I've learned my lesson. This time I'll make a record of where everything is located so I'll know where to find it when I have to update my laptop again. We get a new laptop every 3 years now. Last time I just recreated all my presets and actions. I don't want to go to that trouble this time if I don't have to.

Plus24

 

[Plus24]

Thanks, Wayne. I'll check your path out on my computer and let you know if I have any problems. I won't be able to test the transfer for another week.

Plus24

 

[Flashlight]

.ATN files store your actions.

What you should do, anyway as a backup in case your C drive fails, is save your important actions. Select either a single action or a group, then choose 'Save Actions' from the drop down list on the top right in a folder you choose.

Afterwards you can just drag the . ATN file onto the Actions palette from the folder and drop it there to have them at your disposal again.

 

[Vernon D Rainwater]

I am a teacher and my school has a laptop program. All students have laptops and the school is wireless. Our tech department images all student and teacher laptops. Students own their laptops but they must use the school image for their computers so they can access our wireless capabilities. We teachers do not own our laptops. We can put personal programs on our laptops but the image is provided by the school. We do not have access to the software used for the image. They provide me with the Adobe CS suite 5.5 which includes Photoshop. I do professional photography on the side and also provide photographic services for the school gratis.

So, I suppose the answer to your question is yes: I am not permitted to image the computer and I don't have access to the software.

Once I have my new laptop with the school software, Adobe, and Office Suite loaded I am free to load my own software and modify Photoshop as I please. That's why I was asking about how to transfer all of my custom actions and presets that I had created in Photoshop on my old computer. I also need to find the ICC profiles that I created for custom printing. I calibrate my monitor with ColorMunki and create custom printer profiles for my Epson 3800 and Epson R2400 printers. So, any help in locating the printer and ICC profiles for my Epson Paper on my old computer would also be appreciated.

I've learned my lesson. This time I'll make a record of where everything is located so I'll know where to find it when I have to update my laptop again. We get a new laptop every 3 years now. Last time I just recreated all my presets and actions. I don't want to go to that trouble this time if I don't have to.

Plus24

Thanks for your details. If it was just due to not having proper software, I was going to suggest the software that was recommended for me when I got Windows 7 Pro 64 bit which does a good job and I have actually used it two times to Restore two different Image Backups just to make sure it actually does the entire job correctly.

I use Macrium Reflect - free version. I may in the future either donate or change to the pay version since it is very helpful for my use.

Keep up the good work as a Teacher. One of my Brothers and only Sister were Teachers for many years -- so I at least have some idea what devotion/dedication it requires to be a good Teacher.

My Photoshop is older so it may not store the mentioned file types in the same area as later Versions. I would search the C drive for the applicable file Extensions to find where stored for active usage.

--
Vernon...

 

[Wayne Larmon]

Thanks, Wayne. I'll check your path out on my computer and let you know if I have any problems. I won't be able to test the transfer for another week.

I left out a few steps in my other post.

1. You need to save your actions on your old computer. In Photoshop, click on the little control thingy that opens a long menu (with "Button mode" at the top.) Get out of button mode and select the root of the collection of actions that you are saving. Open the popup menu again. Somewhere down the middle of the menu will be "Save Actions..." Click on "Save Actions" and give your collection a meaningful name. Note where it is saving the action to. (My other post should be accurate about this but double check when you are saving.

2. Now you can back up your collection of actions. (All the actionsy are saved in a single file.) And restore it like I said.

3. On the new computer, open the pop-up menu and choose "Load Actions..." You should see the set of actions you just saved/backed up/restored.

There are a bunch of tutorials about this on the web (because the process is a bit involved.) Here is one:

Photoshop Actions – Saving And Loading Actions

I just did this and now my actions show up on my new computer.


Loading my set of actions into Photoshop

Here is a screen shot from me loading the actions into Photoshop.




The actions I saved/loaded in CC 2014

Here they are after I restored them. I'm using CC 2014, but I'm pretty sure this is how it has always worked in Photoshop.

Sorry for the incomplete advice in my other post.

Wayne

 

[Plus24]

Wayne,

Great! Thanks for the detailed follow-up. It makes sense. I'll save my actions tomorrow. Tell me, do you know who to save presets such as crop presets. I make standard crop presets for just about every standard crop size a photographer would use for printing. For instance:

4x5 V

5x4 H

5x7 V

7x5 H

etc.

I have about 40 crop presets from Wallet to 30x40.

Plus24

 

[Plus24]

Thanks for the support, Vernon! I teach at a private school so I don't have the discipline problems teachers encounter in the public school system here in the U.S. I can actually teach and not just baby sit. I've been teaching for many years and never get tired of it. I've been fortunate to have a career where I love what I do and can count on one hand the Mondays that have come around when I woke up and didn't want to go to school!

 

[Plus24]

Thanks, Flashlight, for that information. I'll be working on saving my actions this weekend and get back with you if I encounter any problems.