Have you ever wanted to quick shortcut when opening an image, supply, or photo within Photoshop or Photoshop Elements?
Here is how to do it!
Computer files have pre-assigned, default programs to open the and view the file. This happens so that the computer automatically selects the best, or at least the most common, program to open and view a particular file.
Since JPEG or PNG files can be opened by many different programs (including Web browsers) they may not automatically open in Photoshop Elements or Photoshop when you double click on them.
See the image of the tomato basket embellishment (example image above)? When I double clicked on this image (that was in a folder on my computer), it opened within a program that shows this particular image at a larger size (see red arrow within this example). This is the default program that my computer has programed to open all my JPEG or PNG files (which means most of my digital scrapbooking supplies and photos are all in these two file formats). Because this program is the default, this also means that when I double click on other JPEG and PNG they will, similarly, open within this default program too.
Because my computer’s default settings for opening a JPEG or PNG file is not Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, I will have to go to Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, start the program, and open load them into my workspace, all before I can start working with any of them!
But wouldn’t it be nice to just double click on an image in my folder and have it open up in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements- especially if it’s a digital scrapbooking supply or photo that I want to work with?
Well, here’s how! (Using a PC with Vista Operating System):
1. Find a image that is the file type that you would like to open within Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (if you don’t know how to make your file extensions show, and you’re not quite sure what type of file your photo, image, or supply is, then read this blog article ~ Showing File Extensions for Better Digital scrapbooking Experience. It explains how!)
In this example to the left, I wanted to be able to double click on all digital scrapbooking supplies in the PNG format, like this basket of tomatoes which is a digital scrap embellishment, and have them automatically open in Photoshop Elements as the default program.
2. Right-click on the image and a drop down menu will appear select Open With (see 1 in example below).
Then go to Choose Default Program (see 2 in example below).
Next, select the program you want to open your images, like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (note you can select only one program even if you have more than one!). Be sure to check the box: Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.
3. Double click on your image. Now when you double click on your item, it should automatically open within Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (whichever program you selected).
This tip is a huge time saver! Especially when you’re dedicating some time to digital scrapbooking and photo editing and you want to pick, choose, and add files, pictures, photos, and digital scrapbooking supplies into Photoshop/Photoshop Elements fast!
If you have a different type of Computer or Operating System, then follow these Instructions:
PC using Windows XP Instructions:
In order to change what program opens a certain file type (like JPEG or PNG files) in Windows XP, you must change the file association. To change the file association for a specific file, you first need to view the file’s properties.
You can view a file’s properties by selecting the file (right-click on one of your images) and select “Properties” from the pop-up. In the pop-up menu, click the “Change…” button. You are given a list of recommended programs to open the file, along with several other programs on your computer. In this case, select Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
After you select your program, then click the checkbox: “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”
When you double click that type of file, it should open up in the new default program you choose!
MAC Instructions:
Mac OS X makes it easy to change file associations, which determine what programs are used to open various file types.
On a Macintosh, this can be done by selecting the file (for example, any JPG or PNG file) and clicking “Get Info” from the File menu. Or you can simply right-click (Control-click for single button mouse users) on the file and select ”Get Info” from the menu that pops up.
In the middle of the pop-up window, look for “Open with.” When you click the drop-down menu, it will show you a list of programs that can also open your file type. For the image files, pick your program- either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Before closing the window, click the “Change All…” button. You will be prompted to confirm the change with an alert window:
After selecting the new default program to open your file, then close the information window. Now when you double-click on the image, it should automatically open using the new default program you selected!
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Save time in digital scrapbooking and photo editing by setting a new default program like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to open up your images!
Guess What? Another blog is on it’s way today! It is a special treat! Check back for more info about the new FREE Digital Scrapbooking Supply that we will be giving away this week- but only for those that sign up for the FREE Newsletter! So check back today to find out more about this digital supply FREEBIE!
Also you might want to use this free digital supply to test opening it up directly in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements that we talked about in this blog article!
Have a nice day!
