Create actions in Photoshop

For our website we have taken many product shots the enhance the product pages. After taking a picture we often have to resize the photo and adjust the color balances. For a while I was doing it step by step on Photoshop. I figured there must be a better way and sure enough there is.

With Photoshop you can create an Action. Basically assign a series of steps to a function key like "F2". So that once you press "F2" all the steps will be done.

Here is how I did it:

• Save a copy of the files to be modified. Keep the originals safe. Using Photoshop open one typical file.
• Using a pen and paper write down each modification needed in order.
• Close this file. (No need to save)
• Open a typical file again.
  
• Using Photoshop, Click the Actions window. (If not visible go to the top menu select window and select action from the drop down list.
  
• Select New Action – bottom of window next to garbage can.
• Type a Name & select a Function Key
• Click Record – You will see a red circle (i.e. recording)
• Do everything as per your notes (from above)
• Click STOP.
• Test your action – select a typical file. Press your function key

You should be done. To take this a step further you can also batch automate this action. Namely, you can select a whole folder and get photoshop to process multiple files at once.

I used created actions to resize for posting on the web and watermarking photos with my logo.

Goodluck.

Market look for today

The CAD continued to make new lows yesterday as the market received a slate of firmer tone data. The more or less optimistic news helped equities close in positive territory and also took some further shine off an already lack luster USD. The juiciest report of the day was US CPI for March with the takeaway being that headline CPI dipped into negative territory silencing the cries of inflationary fears, at least for the time being.

We have another dose of Tier 2/3 data out of the US and Canada today with the focus being on Canadian Manufacturing Shipment numbers. The market is looking for a 2% M/M advance, or, in real world terms, any sign of fundamental weakness or strength. The US will receive March housing starts and building permits, data that is likely to be a non-event for the FX markets, although any insight into the state of the US housing market is closely monitored as this sector was one of the primary catalysts to our current economic situation.

We enter the day relatively unchanged after the overnight session. We are still bias towards the CAD today although likely to be more nimble as the market consolidates and decides whether or not a move lower is feasible. Flows will continue to drive direction with all eyes on the direction of equities at the open.