Lightroom Lesson #2 - Run Actions?

[Mr. Pickles]

Do you typically export images from Lightroom, only to open them in Photoshop and run some action on them?

Lightroom can't run an action, right? Well, that is sort of wrong.

In Photoshop, lets say you have an action already created that you use a lot called "PhotoCamel". Now, inside of Photoshop, go to "File - Automate - Create Droplet", and using the drop downs, highlight your PhotoCamel action. Now select the Choose button under the "Save droplet in..." section (at the top of the dialog).

Typically, and we'll check this in a minute, but the file needs to go to:
"Documents and Settings\your_user_login_folder\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom\Export Actions"

Why there and how do you know which folder? Inside of Lightroom, under File-Export you get the Export Dialog box. At the bottom is a post processing section. In that drop-down is a option called "Go to Export Actions Folder Now". Do that and see where your Lightroom is pointing to. That is the folder to put the Droplet from the above steps, in.

Okay. Now inside of Lightroom select an image that you want to export. Do the File - Export Photos and set the options like you want them. Now, in the "post processing" section at the bottom, in the drop-down, your droplet (PhotoCamel) should be in the list. See it? Select it.

Now when you click the Export button, the image will export based on your settings (file type, size, location, etc), and when that is done, Photoshop will open (unless it is already open), with your exported image in it, and the "action" has already been run on it.

Neat?

So, if you have an action for noise reduction, make a droplet for it. If you use some sharpening method and have an action for it, make it a droplet too. If you have one for an image resize and watermark, another droplet. Sharpening inside of Lightroom will get better in version 1.1, so hold on for that one.

[waple]

Awesome tip! I'll try that tonight!