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How do you resize an image in a Photoshop action?

Published in Photoshop Actions 3 mins read

Resizing an image within a Photoshop action involves recording the steps you take to resize an image, which can then be applied to other images automatically. Here's how to do it:

Steps to Record an Image Resizing Action

  1. Open Photoshop: Launch Adobe Photoshop on your computer.

  2. Open an Image: Open the image you want to use as a sample for recording the resizing action (File > Open).

  3. Open the Actions Panel: Go to Window > Actions. The Actions panel will appear, where you'll manage your actions.

  4. Create a New Action Set (Optional but Recommended):

    • Click the "Create new set" icon (looks like a folder).
    • Name the set (e.g., "Image Resizing"). This helps organize your actions.

  5. Create a New Action:

    • Select the Action Set you just created (or the default "Default Actions" set).
    • Click the "Create new action" icon (looks like a page being turned over).
    • In the "New Action" dialog box:
      • Name: Enter a descriptive name for your action (e.g., "Resize to 1920px Width").
      • Set: Ensure your Action Set is selected.
      • Function Key (Optional): Assign a function key (like F2) for quick action playback.
      • Color (Optional): Assign a color for easy identification.
      • Click "Record". Photoshop is now recording every step you take.

  6. Resize the Image:

    • Go to Image > Image Size.
    • Enter the desired width or height: For example, type "1920" into the Width field. Make sure the chain icon (constrain proportions) is enabled to maintain the aspect ratio. If you change the width, the height will automatically adjust proportionally.
    • Resolution (Optional): You can also change the Resolution here. For web images, 72 dpi is common. For print, 300 dpi is typical. If you are only concerned with dimensions, leave this untouched.
    • Click "OK". Photoshop has now recorded the resizing step.

  7. Stop Recording: In the Actions panel, click the "Stop playing/recording" button (the square icon). Your action is now complete.

Playing Back the Action on Other Images

  1. Open the Image: Open the image you want to resize.

  2. Select the Action: In the Actions panel, select the action you created (e.g., "Resize to 1920px Width").

  3. Play the Action: Click the "Play selection" button (the triangle icon). Photoshop will automatically resize the image according to the recorded steps.

Important Considerations

  • Constrain Proportions: Always make sure the "Constrain Proportions" option (chain icon) is enabled in the Image Size dialog box unless you intentionally want to distort the image.
  • Resolution: Pay attention to the resolution, especially when working with images intended for both web and print.
  • Flexibility: For more flexibility, you can use variables in your actions by using the "Insert Menu Item" command, which allows you to pause the action at specific steps and enter values manually. This is more advanced and not required for simple resizing.
  • Batch Processing: Actions can be used with Photoshop's Batch Processing feature (File > Automate > Batch) to resize multiple images at once. This is a powerful way to automate repetitive tasks.

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