20 Essential Photoshop Actions Every Designer Needs

Imagine if you could automate repetitive tasks and save precious time in your design process. Well, with Photoshop, it’s possible! Adobe’s incredible software offers a feature called “actions” – powerful scripts that perform multiple actions with just one click. While there are countless websites that provide Photoshop actions, most of them cater to photographers. However, fear not! I have curated a selection of must-have actions specifically designed for UI designers, icon designers, and product designers working on web and mobile interfaces. Best of all, these actions are all completely free to download and use. Just make sure to double-check the details to ensure compatibility with your version of Photoshop.

Discover Over 20 Websites to Download Incredible Photoshop Actions for Free

Are you looking to enhance your photo editing skills? Well, I’ve got you covered! Today, I’ll be sharing with you the top 20 websites where you can download free Photoshop actions. These actions will take your editing game to the next level and help you create stunning visuals. So, let’s dive right in!

Let’s start with iOS Blur.

Have you ever noticed that milky-glass blur effect on iOS 7? It’s a beautiful design element that adds a touch of elegance to the interface. And guess what? You can replicate this effect in Photoshop too! It just requires a little bit of layer manipulation.

Lucky for you, talented designer Matt Smith has created a set of iOS 7 blur actions. These actions allow you to easily apply the same gorgeous blur effect to your images. However, if you’re having trouble running the actions, don’t worry. You can download a PSD file that already has the frosted glass layer applied. How convenient is that?

With these iOS blur actions, you’ll be able to give your photos a modern and sophisticated look. So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your editing skills to new heights. Download these actions today and let your creativity soar!

Bjango Actions

Hey there, I’m a creative studio called Bjango! I create cool apps and open source projects for designers like you. My website is packed with helpful articles for users of Photoshop. Plus, I have a full GitHub repository where you can download a bunch of actions for free!

These actions are super handy for all sorts of things in Photoshop. You can use them to do all kinds of cool stuff, like toggle pixel snapping on and off, duplicate an entire canvas with just one click, or center your design perfectly in a selected area. I even have an action that lets you crop a shot to a Dribbble-sized image right from your document!

Right now, my collection of Bjango Actions is in version 4. It’s got tons of actions, scripts, and OS X workflows for you to explore. So go ahead and give them a try!

ScreenShot Photoshop

Check out this amazing effect created by the talented Albanian designer, Vasjen Katro. I’ve got an action for you called ScreenShot Photoshop, which will blow your mind. It lets you easily take a flat mockup and magically transform it into a photo of a tilted screen. How cool is that?

Now, you must be wondering how it works. Well, this clever action automates a skew effect along with some fancy lighting to give your design that realistic look. It’s like looking at a screen that’s been tilted to the side, captured perfectly in a photograph.

But wait, there’s more! This effect is perfect for showcasing your interfaces in a whole new way. With these skewed perspective shots, you can make your designs stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How is this going to improve my design skills? Well, it might not directly make you a better designer, but it can definitely elevate your presentation game. With this action, you can wow your clients and colleagues with eye-catching visuals that will make them take notice. It’s all about making a strong impression and standing out.

Automate Converting PSD to PNG Files

Converting a design into a different file format can be a time-consuming task. However, with the help of Luis da Silva’s PSD to PNG Automator, this process becomes much simpler. By using this tool, you can effortlessly convert a complete PSD file into a PNG format within Photoshop’s action panel. This convenient solution works seamlessly across all versions of Photoshop, from CS to CC.

Browser UI

Have you ever wondered what your design would look like in a web browser? With the Browser UI action, you can find out with just one click.

This amazing feature is available in both the free and premium versions. Even in the free version, you’ll get access to a wide range of tools and options. When you preview your mockup in a browser window, it will be displayed in the sleek and stylish OS X design. The best part is that you can adjust the size of the window to fit your canvas perfectly.

Retinize It

Hey there! Welcome to Retinize It, a nifty little Photoshop action that’s going to make building retina copies of your icons and interface elements a breeze. Seriously, it’s super easy.

So, here’s the deal: You just need to choose a layer (or a group of layers) and give the action a go. Boom! Retina version all set and ready to go. And guess what? You even have the freedom to name your graphics and export them in whatever custom size you desire – whether it’s the fancy “@2x” or the super snazzy “@3x”. It’s all up to you!

Now, I have to give you a little heads up. While Retinize It works like a charm with shapes and vector elements, it doesn’t play so nice with raster graphics. So, if you want to keep that top-notch quality consistent, stick to using shapes, vectors, or smart objects. Trust me, it’s the way to go when you need to scale things up.

Turn Your Designs into SVG

If you’re like me, the tedious task of exporting layers as vectors for the web is something you’d rather avoid. Well, fear no more! This amazing PSD to SVG export action will save you loads of time and effort.

Just to clarify, this super cool action is designed specifically for Photoshop and Illustrator. However, it’s only compatible with CS5 and newer versions of these software programs.

Explore the Flat Browser UI

Hey there! I’ve got another cool browser templating tool to share with you. This one has a sleek and modern flat user interface, perfect if you’re not really into the Mac-styled browsers. Give it a go – it’s an awesome Photoshop browser action!

Now, when it comes to using this tool, rasterized document elements are your best bet. But don’t worry if that sounds confusing – it’s just as simple to flatten all the contents onto a brand new layer and use that instead. Easy peasy!

Stereo Display

If you’re looking for a way to create a cool 3D effect with your flat UI elements, you’re in for a treat. This awesome stereo display action is just what you need!

Magical Zoom

Wow, do I have a cool trick to share with you! It’s like having a secret superpower for making things bigger and more attention-grabbing. You’re going to love this magnifying action created by the genius magician Mario Semeš. It’s perfect for those times when you want to make a big impact with your graphics or presentations.

Here’s how it works: imagine you have a stunning Photoshop design, but you want to draw extra attention to a specific element. With this action, you can effortlessly add a mesmerizing magnifying glass on top of your artwork. But that’s not all! To make the magnified area really stand out, it applies a slight blur effect to the rest of the image. It’s like having a zoom lens that focuses all your attention exactly where you want it.

Now, just think about all the awesome ways you can use this magnifying action. Imagine showing off your beautiful design to a client or a team. By zooming in on the important details, you can highlight your hard work with just a few clicks! Or maybe you’re creating an online tutorial, and you want to guide your audience’s eyes to the most crucial parts. This magic magnifier is the perfect tool to make your explanations crystal clear.

The best part is that you don’t need any special powers to make it work. Just follow Mario Semeš’ simple instructions, and you’ll be a master of magnification in no time. So, are you ready to make your designs bigger and bolder than ever before? Let’s dive into this enchanting magnifying action and let your creativity soar!

What I Can Do with my iPhone

Hey there! I have some really cool stuff to show you. See, this digital designer named Geof Crowl came up with a bunch of special actions just for iPhone 6. These actions are great for when you want to organize graphics from a Photoshop file and make them perfect for retina displays.

Now, I know you might be wondering what the big deal is. Well, let me tell you. When it comes to designing mobile apps, shape layers are a big deal. They make the whole process smoother and easier, and these iPhone 6 actions can make your workflow even better!

Save For iOS

Hey there! I wanted to tell you about this cool thing I found. You know how Photoshop has that awesome “save for web” option? Well, the folks over at ENVOY, a really creative agency, came up with a unique concept just for exporting stuff to iOS. Isn’t that neat?

Artista

Artista is an amazing tool that lets me play around with my photos and digital designs in Photoshop. With Artista, I can apply custom actions to individual layers or the entire document, giving my creations a unique and artistic touch. If you’re looking to add some flair to your designs, you’ll love the energetic lines and paint canvas-style filters that this action set offers. Don’t just take my word for it, though – check out the sample previews and see the endless possibilities for yourself!

GUI Automation Toolbox

When you think of GitHub, you probably think of it as a place for developers to work on projects. But did you know that you can also find amazing design resources there, like the GUI Automation Toolbox? This toolbox is a treasure trove of scripts for popular design software like Photoshop and Illustrator. If you’re looking to automate tasks like exporting graphics or organizing layer groups, these scripts are here to save the day!

Pixel2Vector: Transforming Pixels into Vectors with Ease

Step into the revolutionary world of design with Pixel2Vector, an innovative Photoshop tool that brings unprecedented power to your fingertips. Created by the visionary genius Michael Tzscheppan, this one-of-a-kind action pack allows you to effortlessly transform pixel layers into versatile vector shapes. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a budding artist, Pixel2Vector will revolutionize the way you work, elevating your creations to new heights.

Pixel2Vector is a true game-changer, offering compatibility with Photoshop CS3+ and the added bonus of operating as a plugin for CS5+. With this unique functionality, designers of all skill levels can harness the full potential of their artwork, rapidly converting raster shapes into editable elements. The days of laborious manual tracing are long gone – now, fluidity and efficiency reign supreme.

A Shadow That Stretches On

Hey there! I wanted to let you know about something really cool from Moscow designer Aram Mirzoyants. He just released these incredible free tools called long shadow actions on Dribbble. The best part? You can download and use these actions on any layer you want – whether it’s vector shapes, text, or even icons!

What do these actions do, you ask? Well, they automatically create a mind-blowing 3D shadow effect that stretches way out. Not only that, but you can also adjust the angle and length of the shadows however you like. It’s like having your very own shadow-warping superpower!

Bring Your Designs to Life with 3D Isometric Actions

Hey there! Are you ready to take your designs to a whole new level? Well, I’ve got just the thing for you! Allow me to introduce you to Mapita, the incredible isometric conversion action that can bring your flat graphics to life right here in Photoshop. It’s like giving your designs a 3D makeover!

Create your own wallpapers

Hey there! I’ve got something really cool to share with you. It’s a special tool for all you Photoshop wizards out there – a Wallpaper Maker! With this amazing script, you can whip up your very own custom wallpapers.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “Why would I need a wallpaper maker? Isn’t that for UI designers?” Well, hang on a second. This script may not be specifically related to UI design, but it’s just too awesome to ignore.

Here’s why you’re going to love it. This wallpaper maker can export your creations in different sizes, so they fit perfectly on all kinds of screens. And the best part? It won’t compromise the quality of your stunning designs.

So go ahead and give it a try. Get creative, have fun, and make your desktop truly your own. You’ve got all the tools you need – now it’s time to let your imagination run wild!

Hey there! I’ve got some great resources that I think will really help you with your design work. These actions are designed to make your Photoshop experience easier and more efficient. And the best part is, they’re all right here for you to explore and try out!

Now, I’m pretty confident that the actions I’m about to show you will be really useful. They can save you a ton of time and effort, and make your designs look even better. But hey, if I’ve missed any awesome Photoshop actions, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments below. I’m always open to new suggestions!