Download the Free Trim Action
As a long-time Photoshop user, when I work in Elements, one commmand I miss a lot is the Trim command. This command removes excess blank image area from around an image. This can be either a solid color or transparent background area.
Installation instructions can be found on the next page.
Installing the Free Trim Action
The action zip file consists of three files: Trim.png, Trim.atn, and Trim.metadata.xml. The XML file is only needed for Photoshop Elements 7.0. If you don't have Elements 7, you can delete this file. Copy the files to the folder shown for your operating system below. (Replace 7.0 with 6.0 in the paths below, if that is your version.)
Windows Vista:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Photo Creations\photo effects
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Photo Creations\photo effects
After copying the files, hold the Shift key down immediately after launching the Editor from the Welcome Screen and keep it held down until the Editor fully loads.
If holding the shift key doesn't work, you will need to delete (or move to the recycle bin) the MediaDatabase.db3 file in the following location:
Vista:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Locale\en_US\MediaDatabase.db3
XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Locale\en_US\MediaDatabase.db3
Note: MediaDatabase.db3 will be rebuilt the next time Elements is launched. Be patient--it may take a long time.
Mac Installation:
On the Mac, you do not need the Trim.metadata.xml file. Only copy Trim.atn and Trim.png to the following folder: Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 6.0 > Photo Creations > photo effects
Then navigate to the following folder and move the MediaDatabase.db3 file to the trash.
Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 6.0 > Locale > en_US
Note: MediaDatabase.db3 will be rebuilt the next time Elements is launched. Be patient--it may take a long time.
Using the Trim Action
To use the action, open an image with either a transparent background or a solid color background. This Beetle is a PSD file with a transparent backgound, so you can see the transparency grid that surrounds the car.
In the Effects palette, chose the Photo Effects icon. If you have Elements 7, select the Trim category from the Type menu. Otherwise, choose "Show All" from the menu and find Trim in the list.
Apply the Trim action to your image by double-clicking on the Trim icon in the Effects palette, dragging the Trim icon from the Effects palette to the image and dropping it, or by selecting the Trim icon, and then clicking the Apply button at the bottom of the Effects palette.
Your image will be trimmed based on the upper left corner pixel, whether color or transparent.
As a long-time Photoshop user, when I work in Elements, one commmand I miss a lot is the Trim command. This command removes excess blank image area from around an image. This can be either a solid color or transparent background area.
Download the Free Trim Action
The Trim Action is compatible with Photoshop Elements 6 and Photoshop Elements 7. It has not been tested with earlier versions. The Action is free for your own use, but you may not distribute it. You may share the action by referring others to this page.Installation instructions can be found on the next page.
Installing the Free Trim Action
The action zip file consists of three files: Trim.png, Trim.atn, and Trim.metadata.xml. The XML file is only needed for Photoshop Elements 7.0. If you don't have Elements 7, you can delete this file. Copy the files to the folder shown for your operating system below. (Replace 7.0 with 6.0 in the paths below, if that is your version.)
Windows Vista:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Photo Creations\photo effects
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Photo Creations\photo effects
After copying the files, hold the Shift key down immediately after launching the Editor from the Welcome Screen and keep it held down until the Editor fully loads.
If holding the shift key doesn't work, you will need to delete (or move to the recycle bin) the MediaDatabase.db3 file in the following location:
Vista:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Locale\en_US\MediaDatabase.db3
XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Locale\en_US\MediaDatabase.db3
Note: MediaDatabase.db3 will be rebuilt the next time Elements is launched. Be patient--it may take a long time.
Windows Users: If you can't find the folders mentioned here, make sure you have hidden files and folders set to show under Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab.
Mac Installation:
On the Mac, you do not need the Trim.metadata.xml file. Only copy Trim.atn and Trim.png to the following folder: Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 6.0 > Photo Creations > photo effects
Then navigate to the following folder and move the MediaDatabase.db3 file to the trash.
Library > Application Support > Adobe > Photoshop Elements > 6.0 > Locale > en_US
Note: MediaDatabase.db3 will be rebuilt the next time Elements is launched. Be patient--it may take a long time.
Using the Trim Action
To use the action, open an image with either a transparent background or a solid color background. This Beetle is a PSD file with a transparent backgound, so you can see the transparency grid that surrounds the car.
In the Effects palette, chose the Photo Effects icon. If you have Elements 7, select the Trim category from the Type menu. Otherwise, choose "Show All" from the menu and find Trim in the list.
Apply the Trim action to your image by double-clicking on the Trim icon in the Effects palette, dragging the Trim icon from the Effects palette to the image and dropping it, or by selecting the Trim icon, and then clicking the Apply button at the bottom of the Effects palette.
Your image will be trimmed based on the upper left corner pixel, whether color or transparent.