Modified:
Oct 20, 2017
Created:
Oct 19, 2017
Views:
12188
Author:
RN

Converting Lightroom Presets to Photoshop Actions for use in ProSelect

Quite often Lightroom presets are used to create image effects for unique results. The usual practice for LR users is to make a virtual copy of the image so images with and without the effect can be shown. The problem is that in a ProSelect workflow, when a virtual copy is imported, links are lost to the original image for the purpose of raw file access for direct modifications.

A better practice is to apply image effects using Photoshop actions within ProSelect. If you are wanting to add an effect from a LR preset, that can be converted to a Photoshop action.

In Lightroom

  1. Open the Develop Module with the Presets Panel visible.
  2. Select an image. Look at the History to see if any modifications have been done to the image. If there has been, choose the Import step to reset the file so no image adjustments are recorded.
     
    Reset to import state

  3. Select the Preset you want to convert to an action.
  4. Right-click on the Preset and choose rename. Copy the name to your clipboard (it will already be selected), then click Cancel.
  5. Double-click the Preset to apply the adjustment to the image
  6. Right-click in the image. From the options, choose Edit In > Open as Smart Object in Photoshop.

    Open as SO

In Photoshop

  1. The image will now be open in Photoshop. 
  2. In the Layers palette, double-click the thumbnail preview with the smart object icon. The Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) dialog will open. 

    Open SO

  3. Open the Camera Raw Settings Menu, click the button in the upper-right corner of any of the image adjustment tabs. Choose Save Settings.

    ACR Settings Menu

  4. Be sure nothing is selected in the Auto Settings section.
  5. Click save.
  6. In the Save As dialog, paste the preset name from your clipboard. Click Save.
  7. Click Cancel in the ACR dialog.
  8. Close the image, then open a new image with no effect applied

Creating the Photoshop Action

  1. Create a new action set “LR Presets”
  2. Click the New Action icon on your Actions Palette. In the name, paste the Preset name. It should still be on your clipboard.
  3. Click Record
  4. Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter
  5. Choose "Load Settings”, then navigate to the preset
  6. After the preset is applied, click OK. 
  7. Stop recording. Your action is now recorded and can be loaded into ProSelect Preferences

You can also watch the Tutorial Movie on this topic: Converting LR Presets to Photoshop Actions in ProSelect


KnowledgeBase Article: Converting Lightroom Presets to Photoshop Actions for use in ProSelect