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mikeebee Calculating status...

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Batch processing images with different dimensions

Apr 23, 2012 12:31 PM

Tags: #batch_actions

Hi all!

I've been trying to do this for a while and I'm stumped, so I'd like to know if it's even possible. I'm trying to fathom out how to create an action which…

Takes a jpg
draws a shape
masks the image
adds another shape

So I can batch process a ton of images.

I managed to do something like what I'm after but the thing I'm having trouble with is that the original images will have different dimensions.

I have attached (via link) an example image which would be the original (start.jpg), one which would be the desired end result (done.jpg) and the .psd

IF there needs to be a step in the middle of the action where I need to intervene and resize the flat image slightly to fit the canvas it'll still save a load of time.

I know that opening and saving will be taken care of using the batch feature and the result only needs to be a jpg.

Any input will be welcomed!

Here are the working files - http://mikeebee.com/dl/action-test.zip

Many thanks

595 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: c.pfaffenbichler, Apr 28, 2012 10:30 AM

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1. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 23, 2012 7:13 PM in reply to mikeebee

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I think just the fact the images wouldn't be the same size would keep you from getting accurate results from any action.You might be able to transform the edges using a percentage value, but again there would be way too many varialbes.

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2. Trevor.Dennis,

Apr 23, 2012 7:20 PM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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Could you use Percentage values? You can find the center and place Guides with 50pc for instance, and use that as the start point.

[EDIT] I see I was beaten to it.

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3. mikeebee,

Apr 24, 2012 1:34 AM in reply to mikeebee

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Thanks guys, I think I've found an acceptable solution.

I will have to create a landscape action and a portrait action and manually sort the original images.

The action will resize them to the greater edge, increase the PS canvas, draw the clipping mask and add any effects.

Cheers

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4. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 24, 2012 2:04 AM in reply to mikeebee

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I will have to create a landscape action and a portrait action and manually sort the original images.
Scripting can unlike straight Actions include conditionals and therefore process landscape and portrait images differently.
What are the exact steps of your Action?

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5. mikeebee,

Apr 24, 2012 2:17 AM in reply to c.pfaffenbichler

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This sounds promising!

I have attached the landscape action file for you to look at (although mostly correct, the dimensions will be changing), is that ok or would you prefer me to list each action on this thread?

http://mikeebee.com/dl/landscape-action.atn

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6. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 24, 2012 2:43 AM in reply to mikeebee

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This Script would select one or another Action depending on whether the active image is wider than high.

You have to insert the correct names for the appropriate Action and Action Set, though.

// 2012, use at your own risk;
#target photoshop
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
if (myDocument.width > myDocument.height) {
          app.doAction("Canvas landscape", "bfunk")
          }
else {
          app.doAction("Canvas portrait", "bfunk")
          }
};

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7. mikeebee,

Apr 24, 2012 2:51 AM in reply to c.pfaffenbichler

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Wow, I didn't realise such witchcraft was possible. This looks perfect. I'll give it a try once I have the 2 actions set up.

Thanks so much.

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8. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 24, 2012 3:04 AM in reply to mikeebee

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If you want to give it a try, paste the previously posted text into a new file in ExtendScript Toolkit (part of Photoshop’s installation, Applications/Utilities/Adobe Utilities/ExtendScript Toolkit CS4 or /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Utilities-CS5/ExtendScript Toolkit CS5) and save it as a jsx-file into Photoshop’s Presets/Scripts-folder.
After restarting Photoshop the Script should be available under File > Scripts and can be assigned a Keyboard Shortcut directly, recorded into an Action, (in CS4 and CS5) be used in a Configurator-Panel or started from ExtendScript Toolkit directly.

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9. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 24, 2012 3:05 AM in reply to mikeebee

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Of course there is the question: What about square images (height is equal to width)?
Currently if would be treated as portrait.

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10. mikeebee,

Apr 24, 2012 3:07 AM in reply to c.pfaffenbichler

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Very good point, I think treating them as portrait will be ok for now. I'll see once I've tested.

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11. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 24, 2012 10:56 AM in reply to mikeebee

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That's an interesting action, but I thought the expected output was different than what this action produces. First, I didn't think image cropping would have been ok (maybe the OP expects this or is ok with cropping). Secondly, I kept getting caught up in how the right edge was going to actually be skewed (as decreasing in size perspectively off into the distance). This action appears to just visually trick the eye (again which may be what the OP wanted or is ok with). Like I said, just that aspect alone is where I kept getting stuck in how this would be possible without some manual manipulation.

If you take this image http://www.shan-dysigns.com/userForums/photoshop/stripes.jpg and perform this action, you will see how the right side doesn't actually get skewed (as I thought was part of the visual effect wanted). Still, this action is quite nice.

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12. mikeebee,

Apr 24, 2012 11:24 AM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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I thought the same when I first heard about the requirements, but on recieving the original .psd it was indeed just a visual trick which, in this instance has been deemed acceptable.

In the final version I plan the crop to be much tighter so the end result should be ok.

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13. mikeebee,

Apr 28, 2012 10:29 AM in reply to c.pfaffenbichler

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This works like a charm! Thank you so much

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14. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 28, 2012 10:30 AM in reply to mikeebee

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You’re welcome.

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