[BethLang]

I am installing actions in PSE 6. What are XML files, and metadata files, and where do they go? I have installed the .atn and .png files, but don't know what to do with these.
Thanks,
Beth

[Sherry Lynn]

Hi Beth, I remembered this thread from years ago --- Adding Layer Styles And Actions to PSE 6

Hope this helps!

[BethLang]

Thanks Sherry Lynn.
That helps, but since I don't do it enough, I feel muddled, still. It'll just take practice, I am sure.
Thanks for the link!

[Sherry Lynn]

BethLang, on 26 January 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

Thanks Sherry Lynn.
That helps, but since I don't do it enough, I feel muddled, still. It'll just take practice, I am sure.
Thanks for the link!

Oh I know what you mean, when I first started doing it I wrote it down and had to refer to it every time. You are very welcome!

[BethLang]

Ok, now my question is do actions usually come with xml files or do I have to create these for each action? (ugh)

[BarbaraC1977]

I wrote instructions for this process for styles and/or actions a while back:
http://scrapgirls.ne...__fromsearch__1 Posts 19 & 20.

The only other comment is that if you double-click the xml file, it opens in a browser and can't be edited there. Right-click and choose Open With... Notepad.

Hope this helps.

[BethLang]

Thank you for your help!
I still do not know what xml files are or what meta data files are, and why I need them? Sorry, I am just not understanding. I know what to do and how to do it, but I don't know why I am doing it. ???? My actions are showing up in the palette, but not their pictures. Which I can live with. Is this what xml files do? Make the picture of the action show up in the effects palette?

[Belle]

I am usually in too much of a hurry to worry about things like 'xml' files and what not. I use Graffi's Add-O-Matic, easy peasy. All the work is done for you.

[MLLatscrapgirls]

Actually I agree with Belle - Graffi's Addomatic is worth every penny!

But I think the xml file's importance is that it gives the description of the style (or action I suppose) and puts the style in a place on your list. If I want a style to go into a category, ie Metals, I have to open the xml file (provided by Addomatic in my case) and change the category there. Actions also usually come with a descriptive image in a jpeg file, which you just copy into the action folder (replacing any generic image that may already be there - and will be there if you used Addomatic.)

I hope that helps - and if it is wrong that one of our more techy types will correct me!

[BethLang]

Just got add o matic and whew! What a time saver and a brain saver! I still had to identify png images when using add o matic, so it would enter the png as the action thumbnail. That being said, not all of the png files worked! Still trying to load the png files for my action files. It will just take some getting used to, I think! Thanks so much Scrap Girls!! You have certainly helped me!

[Sherry Lynn]

I'm glad to see you got your help Beth!

[Becster]

Thanks! I just searched for this and it really is inexpensive, $19.99. I normally do this myself but it looks as if it takes the headache out of the entire process, including re-building the database. This is going on my scrapping wish list!