Help! i erased a drop shadow action!

[pearlshaynea]

i accidentally erased one of my drop shadow options. i tried resetting the settings but that didn't fix it. does anyone know how to get it back?
thanks!!!

[estefina]

i did the same thing. Looking forward to someone with wisdom!

[1gr8muggle]

What software are you using?

[1gr8muggle]

I haven't done this myself, but some reading on the subject leads me to believe that if you find the file on your system called mediadatabase.db3 and delete it, that will cause PSE to rebuild that database. It's been suggested that you first find that file and rename it mediadatabaseOLD.db3 (or something like that). Then you restart the software and wait while it rebuilds the database. Once you open PSE and see that everything is back to normal, go back to the directory and delete your renamed "mediadatabaseOLD.db3" and leave the newly created mediadatabase.db3 there.

On a Mac it's located here:

Macinstosh HD\Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\en_US

In Windows Vista:

C:Program Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US

In Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US


It seems like taking this step has solved the problem for many people. I haven't done it myself though. If you're uncomfortable, you can always call Adobe support and they'll take you through the steps to solve the problem.

[AllynD]

Adobe support is almost as great a resource as Cassie, but not quite!

[estefina]

I am using PSE 6. I did try the above steps and it didn't work for me. But...it could be ME. Calling Adobe is a great suggestion. Thanks for your time and help.

[1gr8muggle]

Hmmm . . . try again estefina.

I'm working on a Mac using PSE6. I went to the drop shadow styles and I right(ctrl)-clicked the style called "Outline" and selected "delete content" then said OK when prompted. I closed PSE then went to the directory mentioned in my earlier post. Then I renamed the file to "mediadatabaseOLD.db3". Next, I launched PSE6 (with my Finder window still open). I was able to see the mediadatabase.db3 file being rebuilt in Finder as PSE launched. It took about 60 seconds on my computer. When PSE finished, I clicked on the drop shadow styles, and the "Outline" style was right back in its place, as if I had never deleted it.

I recommend that you try again. If it still doesn't work, you might try reinstalling the software, but it should work.

[pearlshaynea]

you guys rock! thanks for the help and suggestions. i never even thought of calling adobe...i looked on their help section and couldn't find anything. i wound up buying the drop shadows from the shop and installing those, but they're in a different spot and a little harder to find when i want them...thanks again, everyone!

[estefina]

Thanks! I'll do it again.

[pearlshaynea]

IT WORKED! Cassie, you rock! i followed your directions about the database and it popped all the original drop shadows back into the program. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! i'm so glad i put this question out there so you guys could help me!
~meg

[smodi65@msn.com]

Originally Posted by 1gr8muggle

I haven't done this myself, but some reading on the subject leads me to believe that if you find the file on your system called mediadatabase.db3 and delete it, that will cause PSE to rebuild that database. It's been suggested that you first find that file and rename it mediadatabaseOLD.db3 (or something like that). Then you restart the software and wait while it rebuilds the database. Once you open PSE and see that everything is back to normal, go back to the directory and delete your renamed "mediadatabaseOLD.db3" and leave the newly created mediadatabase.db3 there.

On a Mac it's located here:

Macinstosh HD\Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\en_US

In Windows Vista:

C:Program Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US

In Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US


It seems like taking this step has solved the problem for many people. I haven't done it myself though. If you're uncomfortable, you can always call Adobe support and they'll take you through the steps to solve the problem.

This happen to me today on my PC and I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly (I use PSE7).

Thanks so much for the help!!

[aprilsytsma]

hello all,
read your thread and got up to this point:

In Windows Vista:

C:Program Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0 - but no locale folder.

also searched for this file: mediadatabase.db3

and nothing came up.

any suggestions?

missing my drop shadows