#psd action

⠀𓂄 ⠀How to use:

1. This actions requires Topaz Clean 3. If you don’t have it yet, you can download it here.

2. After downloading the file with TC3 already installed and Photoshop already open, go to your actions windows (press F9 or go to Window - Actions). 

3. Import the action pressing the actions window’s settings (the four horizontal lines) and clicking Load action. 

STEP ONE: Download your video from YouTube or other sites.  STEP TWO: Open Photoshop. (I’m using CC 2017). File >> Import >> Video Frames to Layers.

When this screen pops up, click the “Select Range Only” dial and make sure the “Limit to Every 2 Frames” box is checked. Use the sliders to select the portion of the video you want to gif and then press OK.

STEP THREE: If your actions panel is not already showing, go to Window >> Actions or press ALT + F9. You’ll see a little play button appear on the right column. Click it.

STEP FOUR: In the Actions panel, there are a few buttons on the bottom. The folder icon (circled in blue) creates a new folder that you can house all of your actions. The page with the folded corner icon (circled in red) allows you to create a new action. Create a folder for your actions, name it whatever you like and then click the new action button.

I like to name my actions something I’ll remember. This action I’ll be creating is for 80x80 px gif icons, the set is the folder I created. The Function Key allows you to create a shortcut for your action. I didn’t take a screenshot of it, but I made this one F3. (You can even color code your actions.) Press “Record” once you’re ready.

STEP FIVE: Photoshop will immediately begin the recording. You can tell by the recording button on the Actions panel now being illuminated red.

Now, Photoshop is taking note and documenting all of the clicks your mouse makes. 

STEP SIX: The first thing I do with my gifs is crop them to the correct size.

Select the cropping tool from the toolbar on the left-hand side.

Make sure your settings in the highlighted square above are 1 x 1 (Square Ratio). Select the area for your gif and then press OK.

STEP SEVEN: Next up, it’s time to resize ! On the Menu Bar at the top, select Image >> Image Size. (Or press ALT + CTRL + I on your keyboard.)

These are my settings. Press OK.

STEP EIGHT: If the Animation/Timeline window isn’t showing on the bottom, go to Window >> Animation (or Timeline). Click the menu button on the right-hand corner and “Select All Frames.”

STEP NINE: With all of your animation frames selected, click the little down arrow on any of the frames.

Set the frame rate to something that looks natural on the preview. Anything between .07 and 0.12 usually works well for me. The less frames in your gif, the longer you want the delay to be so it doesn’t look like it’s moving too quickly. Once you’re finished, press OK.

STEP TEN: You are now ready to stop recording your action. Go back to the Actions panel and press the “Stop” button.

Your action is now ready to be used for future creations !! It’s super easy and honestly saves so much time when you’re working on repetitive actions in photoshop. You can use actions for just about anything ! 

A fun little tip that’s useful. Those little blank squares to the left of each step in the action? You can click them and sort of create a pause in the action where it will require your input before it moves along to the next step. When making gif icons, I normally place a pause on the “Crop” step and sometimes on the “Set current animation rate” step.

STEP ELEVEN: You’re pretty much done! All that’s left to do now is apply your sharpening technique of choice (I use another action) and throw on a psd over it. And you’re done ! Go to File >> Export >> Save for Web and Devices (or press ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + S on your keyboard.) Earlier versions of Photoshop might have Save for Web right on the File menu. 

Here is my final gif after applying a sharpening action and psd.