Actions with 3rd party filter (not working)

[sahne_...@adobeforums.com]

Hello all! I had tried to post this earlier but it didn't seem to work. .

Anyhow here is my problem:

I have a sequence of images (time lapse) that I have created an action for as follows:

Resize > (auto)color correction > (auto)tone correction > Alienskin 2 b+w filter

Now, everything works, except the last step, using that particular filter. Everything resizes, gets color corrected, but that last filter wot take. .

Now, is this because it is a 3rd party filter? is there a way to make this step work in the action by re-arranging it? Can i use Apple's automator to create the action?

Im using CS4 on my school's Mac computers. . .

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
sahne

[Buko]

is the filter compatible with the computer?

Why not use Photoshops conversion to grayscale?

[Chri...@adobeforums.com]

And is that filter setup to work with actions?
Have you asked Alien Skin about it?

No, Automator won't help at all - it can't see anything about actions.

[sahne_...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for the help everyone!

The filter is compatible with this computer, it worked when I created the action, just not when I run it =) I dont just use photoshops conversions or channel mixing because it doesnt create the desired effect I am looking for . . . It does potentially have the ability, but the action will be enormous by my guess. .

Chris: Not sure if it is setup, I just assumed anything within photoshop had the ability to work with actions, but I guess im wrong on that one!

I haven't asked AlienSkin and didn't even think about that! Which is what I will be doing now!

Thanks for your help everyone!

enjoy!
shane

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

You obviously haven't explored the Black and White adjustment in CS4.

[Chri...@adobeforums.com]

Things shipped with Photoshop work with actions (at least we try to make everything work).
But you're using a third party plugin. If the plugin is not written to work with actions, then it won't work with actions.

[randa...@adobeforums.com]

Did you run the filter which would not work, or did you INSERT the menu item which with Alien Skin should work?

R

[steve_g...@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

Just to revisit this, the problem is that when the plug-in is set to return a new layer it fails. What you need to do is check 'Disable Output to New ayer' in the Alien Skin dialog.

If you want to mimic output to a new layer, include a 'Duplicate Layer' command in the action just before calling the 3rd party plug-in.

thx,
steve