Last week I talked about How to Load Photoshop Styles, using CS6. Today I am going to focus on Photoshop Elements.

With each new version of Elements, improvements are made that make Elements so much easier to use!  One of those improvements in Photoshop Elements 11, is the ability to now “load” styles in Elements “on the fly,” as they call it.  What that means is that you no longer have to copy the Style and/or metadata, navigate to your Adobe folders, and then paste those items in the appropriate folders in order to utilize Styles in Elements.  I think this is a tremendous improvement, and one that I think makes the upgrade to PSE11 definitely worth consideration.

Loading Styles in PSE 11 is now very similar to loading styles in the full version of Photoshop. Let’s take a quick look!

I have a blank document open in PSE11.  Notice the options you have in the bottom right corner of the screen?  Click on the “Effects” button.

Then look at the top of the Effects Panel.  You will see 3 tabs across the top.  They will be:  Filters, Styles, Effects.  Make sure you click on the Styles Tab.

To the right of the Effects Tab, you will see a down-p0inting arrow with 4 horizontal lines.  Click on that.

Now, just  like in Photoshop, you will see the option to “Load Styles.”   When you click on “Load Styles”, a window will open, which will allow you to navigate to the folder where you have your Styles saved.  Locate the ASL file you want to use, then click on the Load button at the bottom of the window, and your selected Style will automatically load in your Styles Panel, ready for your use!

I absolutely LOVE this new feature in PSE11!  It makes it so much easier for PSE users to use Styles!

But what if you are using versions of PSE prior to version 11?  You have several options.

1)  You will need to copy the ASL file, navigate to the appropriate Adobe folder (based upon your operating system and PSE version), paste the ASL file, then typically restart PSE.  Some versions require the deletion of the old database and the creation of a new database.  This can be intimidating, to say the least. However, to help make it easier for you, I have written a comprehensive tutorial on this, which you may download for your use.  This Tutorial is also included in all of my Styles products.

2.  I also created a PSE User-friendly Strip, which is included in all of my Styles products.  You can view a short one minute video on How to Use SnickerdoodleDesigns Photoshop Elements Styling Strips on You Tube. The Strip allows you to use Styles without having to install them.

So now that you have Styles loaded in Photoshop Elements, just exactly what do you do with them?

Join me at a Webinar next Monday, January 14, 2013, at 5:30 PST to find out!  Hosted by the National Association of Digital Scrapbooking, the cost of this webinar is $15; however, if you sign up using the following link, you can attend for FREE:   REGISTER FOR KAREN’S NAODS WEBINAR

Important: You will be asked for a Password.  Use the Password:   Karen

Also, you will need to register at least several hours prior to the webinar.  Why not take the time to do it right now?  I hope to see you there!