Complex Action

[amybethm222]

I have several complex actions that

1. Selects all Layers/ Group from Layers
2. Converts Group to Smart Object
3. Renames Smart Object to "Working"
4. Duplicate layer (Smart Object) and Rename "Working Flattened"
5. Rasterize Layer "Working Flattened"
6. Convert to RGB (dont merge, dont flatten)
7. Convert to CMYK  (dont merge, dont flatten)
8. Select black channel, and makes selection
9. Create a Curves Adjustment Layer (which creates an adjustment mask)
10. From the Properties Panel the Channel mask is inverted from the selection
11. Photoshop STOPS and informs the user the values applied overall to the CMYK Channel with the Message "The CMYK is reduced from 100 to 96. These values can be adjusted slightly to achieve Ink Density. "
12. Asks the user to "Continue"
13. Applies Curves Ink Density Adjustment

I am trying to add a condition in the beginning that does:

If the layer is "back round" then unlock, so it will then select all and add to the smart object, but if there IS NO Backround layer than just continue? does this make sense?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You may want to ask for help over at

Photoshop Scripting

But maybe recording selecting the lowermost Layer via shortcut and »Insert Conditional Action« might suffice.

[amybethm222]

It dosnt "continue" IF there is NO backround layer .. I will try posting in Scripting.. Thanks for the suggestion ..

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Sorry, »Layer is Background« is the one that might help.

[amybethm222]

Tried that ! it works if there is a backround layer,.... but on files that there is no backround, it stalls the whole process..

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What did you set for »Else Play Action«?

[amybethm222]

I tried the "parent action" but if since it has the condition at the begin if the condition is "false" it stops, Ive tried it set to 'None" and that only works if there is a backround

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You need one Action for either case.

These can in turn refer to another one but »None« does not seem to make sense here.

[amybethm222]

But then in sense ill have one action is backround is "true" and then one if it is false. Since these are being deployed in a large organization and there is no way to make one or the other invisible.. there would be 2x the amount of (6) actions being deployed.

Was trying to write 'if Set Backround' is false then continue playing action from a certain step...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

there would be 2x the amount of (6) actions being deployed.

They will likely reside in one atn-file so what’s the problem?

If Actions do not meet your needs then you may have to resort to using Scripts.

[amybethm222]

Not sure how to make them reside in the same file?  if they are referring to a seperate action?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

One atn-file can contain multiple Actions, can it not?

Or do you first »Create new set« every time you »Create new action«?

[amybethm222]

No . there is an  ATN being deployed with 6 actions, but if the action ran off another action if "false" then there would be double the specific actions.. unless i put the other ones in a subfolder maybe this is what it looks like now

[amybethm222]

i cannot make a subset within the action set