SF Rule of Thirds Instructions

ReadMe File for ShutterFreaks Rule of Thirds actions for Photoshop Elements

First, Extract the Files

If you haven't done it already, create an empty temporary folder, and extract the contents of the ZIP file into it. Then open this Read Me file from there.

In the following steps, you will be copying these files into other folders.

Instructions for Elements 4 and Earlier

If you have Elements 5, these instructions are not correct. Use Elements5ReadMe.html for Elements 5.

If you have Elements 4 or earlier, keep reading.

How to set up the actions

If you have Elements open, close it.
Then go to your Photoshop Elements folder on your hard disk.

The folder name will vary a little, depending on the version you have and where you installed it. On my system, the folder is:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 3

Remember, your folder name may be slightly different, and Mac folder names will be different from Windows folder names.
Now, from your Photoshop Elements folder, go to "Previews\Effects," and create a new folder for the actions. Name the folder "SF Rule of Thirds".
Put all the action files (ending in ".atn") and the image file (ending in ".psd") into folder you just created.

Note: Be sure NOT to put any other files in this folder. If you are updating a previous version of an action, you should probably delete the old files before adding the new ones, to remove any "extra" files.
Now we need to make sure that Elements will show these new actions in the list of "effects." To do that, go the the folder "Previews\Cache\Effects Cache" and delete these 3 cache files (Elements will recreate them the next time you use it):
1. CatagoryCache.che
2. ListCache.che
3. ThumbNailCache.che

How to use the actions

Start Photoshop Elements and open an image file.
Open the Effects Palette. Because you earlier deleted the cache files, Elements will take a minute or two to rebuild and then sort the cache. When it is done, you should see the SF Rule of Thirds effects listed there.
To make it easier to find the action you want, choose "SF Rule of Thirds" from the drop-down list in the Effects palette.
Double-click the thumbnail for an action to run it. The actions create a copy of your file, to protect your original.

Notes:

If you have trouble, try these steps:
- Double-check that the .atn files and the .psd file are in your Previews\Effects folder.
- Sometimes .psd files aren't properly associated with Elements. Try opening the .psd file with Elements and doing a Save As with the same name into the same folder, to associate it with Elements. If that doesn't make an immediate difference, try exiting Elements, deleting the 3 cache files, and clicking the Effects tab. Then reopen Elements and give the Effects list time to repopulate and resort.
- If you are still having trouble, you can contact us at shutterfreaks@shutterfreaks.com.
If you'd like an action that will help you crop your images to conform to the Rule of Thirds and the Golden Mean, check out our Rule of Thirds Pro Action.