with Adobe's revamp'd brush engine, you can use any ABR (brush file) "forward" (any upgrade will work) but NOT "backward" (at least not without going through a mean set of hoop-jumps)

so feel free to go up as far as you like.
i've yet to run into any problems with brushes and upgrades (now "plugins" are a whole 'nother story!!)

 with dreamstime you can register for free and download up to 50 images before you need to buy credits...

iStock and Stockexpert are great sources for very inexpensive images, many for just a buck ($1)

i've been able to find some great shots at stock xchng (www.sxc.hu/ )

another site to look at is
www.morguefile.com/ (morgue file)

hopefully you'll find what you need
:)
retrocity

as PaganArtist stated "you want to make sure to buy from a seller with good feedback..." 

this is very critical (more now than ever before) with Adobes "activation" process, cause if the apps already been registered, you need to track down the original owner and get the license transfered...

Quote - Ooops. I was in Photoshop :)

Now how do I get the action to run on a folder and sub-folder as a batch proccess.

momdot;
if you made the action in PS  just launch PS and go to FILE >> AUTOMATE >> BATCH
select your "action" from the drop down menu
source FOLDER 
choose: (locate the folder of images)
check the box for INCLUDE ALL SUBFOLDERS
destination FOLDER
choose: (select a folder for the converted files)

hit the okay button (to run the batch)

you may want to  check the boxes for OVERRIDE or the SUPPRESS options  depending on how you set up your action...

hope this helps
retrocity

humm...

the post has been up a week now, it's been viewed 75 times and a whole "4" members may be interested...

looks like it might be a small competition!

anybody interested???
:|
retrocity

 as a side note, when ever PS starts to act a bit wonkey, toss out your PS Pref file (preference file) and let PS rebuild a fresh one.

do one of the following:

• Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (Mac OS) as you start Photoshop. You are prompted to delete the current settings.
• (Mac OS only) Open the Preferences folder in the Library folder, and drag the Adobe Photoshop CS Settings folder to the Trash.

New Preferences files are created the next time you start Photoshop.

this usually clears up any odd and unexplained problems that arise.

:)
retrocity

 you'll need a PDF writer to be able to output to PDF (the writer installs itself as a "printer subsystem" and enables PS or IR to create PDF documents).

after that you'll need an app that open the PDFs to merge/combine your files (if you're using WIN, you can get PrimoPDF - http://www.primopdf.com/primopdf_free_idx.htm - for free, it has a combine feature ).

you can also try the EXPORT script in PS:

1. Do one of the following:- (Photoshop) Choose File > Automate > PDF Presentation.

• (Bridge) Select the images you want to use and Choose Tools > Photoshop > PDF Presentation. If you don’t select the images/files you want to use, the presentation will contain all the images/files currently displayed in Bridge.

1. In the PDF Presentation dialog box, click Browse and navigate to add files to the PDF presentation. Select Add Open Files to add files already open in Photoshop. You can remove an unwanted file by selecting it in the Source Files window and clicking Remove.
    

The files in the Source Files window are used to generate the pages in the PDF presentation, starting with the topmost file for the first page and progressing down the list for subsequent pages. To change the sequence, select a file and drag it to a new position in the Source Files window.

hope this gives you something to work with,
:)
retrocity

 did this happen after doing a keystroke shortcut (like ALT+SHIFT+DRAG)? or did it just crop up?

try tossing your PREF file and see if it clears up...

to delete and re-create the preferences file, start Photoshop and, as it starts, hold down Control+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Command+Option+Shift (Mac OS), and then click Yes to the prompt "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file?" 

let me know
:)
retrocity

 thanks for share the links,

i'll have to block some time to run through em' (never have  enough time!!)
retrocity

 Some of the best DVD and video training can be found @ Photoshop User (www.photoshopuser.com)

i've been a member for a number of years
:)
retrocity

Hey Jack!
Glad you could get the assist you needed. good to see ya around again.

take care
scott

as Quest pointed out, you can convert CS3 brushes (or any other vers for that matter) BUT you need access to an eariler version of PS (ver7...) to open the PSD file.

There isn't a "built in" method to "save as eariler version" like in Illustrator because Photoshop views the native file format (.PSD) the same regardless of the version. the brush engine is quite different between PS vers7 and CS3, so you can't just copy the .abr files (you can from 7 to CS3 but not backwards...)

if you don't have access to a system with PS7 you're gonna' be stuck.
retrocity

i've been trying to find an answer to this but so far nobodies come up with a workable solution.

i'll keep trying, just wanted you to know...

retrocity

hi Carioca,
not sure about the localization question, but shy of what lists out of the menus, i'd think there shouldn't be any real problem between the "english" version and "non-english" OS...

... actions are a little more "literal" when it comes to menu listings, but since i don't have access to non-english environment i can't really test it out...

as for the activation, yes adobe's activation is targeted to the specific computer and communication between system and Adobe must be established either via internet or phone call. You need to make sure you "deactivate" Photoshop if you move it to another system or plan on reformating the hard-drive...

hopfully others from outside of the U.S. can give you more feedback regarding your first question.

retrocity

you should post this (submit it to...) the FREEBIE section instead of the forum. this way ALL members can have access to it.

please move it.

thank you
retrocity (Photoshop Forum Moderator)