automation advice

[halo]

look at actions...record the action you want to use, then use batch process on a number of images.

you may run into problems with names of layers though, but i think there is a script somewhere to split layered files into separate files. Have a search on the adobe user to user forums :)

[dg]

Yeah, Halo is right you will have to use a script to do that, there is one Called "Export Layers To Files" that will create one psd file for each layer, after this is done you might do a batch or use a dropper to convert your files to gif format.


Cheers,
dg

[berniebernie]

Of course there is !

You must use an Adobe Plug-In called 'scripting' - if you have PS CS it's bundled with the software, if you have PS7 you can download it here (PC) http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=1536

then read the pdf doc which helps a great deal... Read a few things about scripting; and finally copypaste the following into a .js file (providing you're working with JS and not VisualB or AppleS) in your PS scripts folder...

If all fails; go to http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@184.QZuiczo9yPO.1738844@.ef7ec95 (adobe user to user scripting forums) or PM me


code looks a bit long but it's really simple and has lots of help in it


//***File slightly modified by mlkdesign - mlkdesign at online dot fr*** original author below

// Program Name: Layers to jpg files
//
// Author: Larry B. Ligon
//
// Purpose: This JavaScript will write each normal layer to a separate file in
// jpg format using the layer name as the file name. This includes the
// background.
//
// Requirements: Must have a document open.
//
// Limitations: Does not work for text or shape layer or layers with effects
// or layersets.
// These types of layers have to be rasterized. Does not work with
// linked layers. Has only been tested on Windows machine.
//

var CurrentFolder ;

// a document with layers must already be open.
//Check to make sure that the document has been saved.
//The layers will be save to the same directory that the document is in

if ((documents.length > 0) && (activeDocument.saved))
{

// Tell Photoshop not to display any dialogs.
displayDialogs = DialogModes.NO;

CurrentFolder = activeDocument.path;

// Create a reference to the active document.
var docRef = activeDocument;

// Loop through the layers one at a time. docRef.layers.length contains the number of
// layers including the background.

// Create a counter to count the actual number of layers written to files.
var layerswritten = 0

for (var i = docRef.layers.length-1 ; i >=0 ; i--)
{
// If the layer is not a normal layer, it will be ignored.
if ( docRef.layers[i].kind == LayerKind.NORMAL)
{
// Increment the layers written count.
layerswritten = layerswritten + 1

// Set the active layer to the next layer in the loop.
docRef.activeLayer = docRef.layers[i]

// Copy the contents of the layer to the clipboard.
docRef.layers[i].copy();

// Create a new document with the same dimensions as the original file.
var docRef2 = documents.add(docRef.width,docRef.height,docRef.resolution,
docRef.activeLayer.name);

// Paste the contents of the clipboard to the new file.
docRef2.paste();

// Flatten the file.
//docRef2.flatten;
docRef2.layers[1].remove();

// Create the necessary information for the saveas function.
// Save the layer file to the same directory that the document is in

/* ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
the script below was used to save as jpg - I've changed it to gif
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// File is saved as Standard baseline with a quality of 10 (Maximum).
// The file name is the name of the layer.


jpgFile = new File(CurrentFolder +"/" + docRef.activeLayer.name);
jpgSaveOptions = new JPEGSaveOptions;
jpgSaveOptions.embedColorProfile = true;
jpgSaveOptions.formatOptions = FormatOptions.STANDARDBASELINE;
jpgSaveOptions.matte = MatteType.NONE;

// This value can be from 1 to 12.
jpgSaveOptions.quality = 10;

// Save the file as a jpg file.
docRef2.saveAs (jpgFile ,jpgSaveOptions , true, Extension.LOWERCASE);

// Close the new document.
docRef2.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
*/

// set gif save options
saveGifFile = new File(CurrentFolder +"/" + docRef.activeLayer.name);
gifSaveOptions = new GIFSaveOptions();
gifSaveOptions.colors = 256;
gifSaveOptions.transparency = true;

// save as gif
docRef2.saveAs(saveGifFile, gifSaveOptions, true, Extension.LOWERCASE);
docRef2.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);

}
}

alert("Wrote " + layerswritten + " layers to files.");
}
else
{
// Gives this message if you don't have a document open in Photoshop.
alert("You must have at least one open document to run this script! \r The document must have been saved to a folder");
}


// Set the objects to nothing to release to the system.
docRef = null
docRef2 = null

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