Batch combine sequences

#1

I already searched the forum and found two posts with similar problems.

Post A

Hi,

Does anyone know of a way to combine 2 image sequences to create a new alpha’d tga sequence, basically what i’ve done is rendered out 2 sets of images, one was just colour and the other was a pass for z depth.
In photoshop I am able to open up 1 of each image, paste the z depth image into the alpha channel and use the lens blur filter to create my depth of field. My problem is when I tried to create a batch process for this photoshop seemed unable to read from two sets of image sequences, it would open say image 001 then open the zDepth 001 but when it had opened file 002 it wouldn’t open zDepth 002, instead it would alway want to open zDepth 001!
So, if anyone knows of a way to combine my zDepth images into my colour images alpha channel I think my batch will then work as it won’t need to read from a second set of images.

Hope all that made some sense :slight_smile:

Thanks.

Post B

I got it to do this via actions:Open render.
Open mask render.
Select All on mask render.
Copy.
Close mask render. (no save changes)
Quickmask mode on render.
Paste.
Selection mode.
Copy.
Paste into.
Delete background layer.
Save as .png.
Close render. (no save changes)
Now you’d think this would be all fine and dandy, right?
So I go to run Automate>Batch…
And do the steps to open and save the files.

Here’s what I end up getting…
“render001” + “mask001” = “imageWithTransparancy001”
“render002” + “mask001” = “imageWithTransparancy002”
“render003” + “mask001” = “imageWithTransparancy003”… And so on…

But notice that it’s not advancing the steps for the second image it opens. So after the very first one, the wrong mask is applied every single time. Anyone know how to fix that?

I feel that I am thisclose to getting it working…

My problem is the same. Photoshop opens the images in a wrong way, so you end up with at least one base (frame 0) image every time.

The replies to those threads were unfortunately not helpful in any way.

My BIG PROBLEM is that I need to match a PS image I did as a still. The composition is in 32bit and there are a lot of CC layers which use other copy modes than Normal or Pass Through. Therefore Premiere is out of question (couldn’t even find hue&saturation) and AE, although supporting 32bit, doesn’t allow copy modes for CC layers. Also my PS files use a lot of folders, grouping CC and images layers with masks. AE simply sucks in this area and doesn’t allow this kind of working habit.

So how the … do I combine my images sequences in PS automatically in a fashion that I do set up a reference frame with all layers and PS then does the rest to all the other image sequences? I usually need to combine 10 to 20 layers in this way and a lot of frames. Doing it manually is NO option.

I hope somebody found a solution so far.

Cheers
Thomas

#2

Nobody an idea?

#3

I think that you can import those images as a sequence and use Photoshop’s capabilities as a video editor (PS3 or PS4) to combine the alpha, I’m not sure about saving it out as an image sequence but I’m assuming you can. Otherwise AfterEffects, Premiere or FinalCut Pro would be the next option to combine those…

Oops - sorry didn’t read the entire thread - my apologies. I think that to do what you need - you need a script, not just an action.

Although - I think that AfterEffects could do what you need, but you need to structure your photoshop file differently. AfterEffects treats Layer Groups as Comps, maybe what you need to do is ungroup them or combine the group into a smart object? Not sure. Mylenium is a good person to ask - he is uber smart and may have a solution or at least an answer.

#4

Anybody else an idea? I placed this question too in the Adobe Scripting forum with no success. I have no idea if it is so simple that nobody gives a s… to answer or if it is indeed tricky and difficult. Any further advice will be most welcome.

Cheers
Thomas

#5

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