13 Replies Latest reply: May 18, 2014 1:37 PM by debenllc

Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Apr 25, 2012 2:36 PM

If you're working on an image and wind up with a canvas that's larger than the image pixels, here's a simple little script that will trim away the unused areas. It'll reduce the canvas to the smallest size that contains all the pixels of the actual images. In other words, it takes the value of the top left pixel of the canvas and uses that info to trim away pixels, so this script will work on a canvas having transparent pixels as well as coloured pixels.

Here are the steps to install the script:

Open Notepad.
Copy this text and paste it into Notepad:

/*
<javascriptresource>
<name>Trim</name>
<menu>automate</menu>
<about>Trim the canvas.</about>
<category>Image</category>
</javascriptresource>
*/

app.activeDocument.trim()

Use "Save As" with the File Type of "All Files" to save it as
Trim.jsx
in the
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 10\Presets\Scripts
directory.
Start PSE. You'll have a new menu item: File...Automation Tools...Trim.

Enjoy!

Ken

Message was edited by: photodrawken to correct explanation.

1. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Apr 25, 2012 7:23 PM (in response to photodrawken)

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here's what the script will do:

The original document:

The layers:

The result, after using the "Trim" script (the layers are preserved):

Ken
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2. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

R_Kelly Apr 25, 2012 7:29 PM (in response to photodrawken)

Thanks for posting the script and i'm sure many people will be grateful, since elements doesn't have trim command like photoshop.
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3. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Apr 25, 2012 7:34 PM (in response to R_Kelly)

You're welcome. It's already solved a user's problem. As I said in the other discussion, the very reasonably priced Elements+ add-in provides the additional options for trimming that the "big" Photoshop has:
http://elementsplus.net/

Ken

P.S., No, I have absolutely no connection with Elements+ other than being a satisfied user.
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4. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

jpbpds Jul 29, 2012 3:39 PM (in response to photodrawken)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! As a former PhotoShop user who's downsized to PSE, it was driving me crazy!

I'm able to figure out most things, but I could't figure out where they hid the "trim" command.

PS: I'll have to check out Elements+

JoAnn
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5. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Jul 29, 2012 4:05 PM (in response to jpbpds)

You're welcome, JoAnn. When it's needed, there's no substitute for "trimming".

Ken
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6. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

hatstead Jul 30, 2012 6:55 AM (in response to photodrawken)

Does this not duplicate the functionality of the recompose tool?
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7. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

MichelBParis Jul 30, 2012 8:23 AM (in response to photodrawken)

Another workaround, in that situation where the subject is surrounded by a transparent background:
- Select the transparent outer background with the magic wand.
- Inverse selection (shift ctrl I)
- menu image/crop

PS: another vote for Elements+
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8. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Jul 30, 2012 9:08 AM (in response to MichelBParis)

Michel,

Yes, that also seems to work when backgrounds are filled with colour.

Ken
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9. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Jul 30, 2012 9:19 AM (in response to hatstead)

hatstead,

Not really -- the Recompose tool will still "squish" objects and alter the spacing between them when the edges are dragged in, and also doesn't work too well on images with multiple layers since you have to recompose each layer separately.

Ken
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10. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

MichelBParis Jul 30, 2012 9:17 AM (in response to photodrawken)

photodrawken wrote:

Michel,

Yes, that also seems to work when backgrounds are filled with colour.

Ken
To be precise :
There might be a selection problem if part of the useful selection is the same color as the background (white part on white background for instance), but in most cases that will not change the trimming.
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11. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

photodrawken Jul 30, 2012 9:23 AM (in response to MichelBParis)

Michel,

Agreed. "Trimming" avoids any issues with selecting.

Ken
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12. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

debenllc May 18, 2014 1:28 PM (in response to photodrawken)

Ken,
when i try to save the Trim.jsx in PSE12 as you describe, I receive a pop up saying that i do not have permission. Any way around this?

Thank you, Richard
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13. Re: Script: Trim the canvas to remove unused areas from the sides

debenllc May 18, 2014 1:37 PM (in response to debenllc)

Ken,
Please disregard previous post. I was able to copy/paste theTrim.jsx in PSE12 you describe & it works GREAT!!!
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