Is there a way to do something similar to what the duplicate with smart transform does in Maya inside of Photoshop? As an example, I’m creating a bunch of separate layers with text…01, 02, 03, 04, etc. and thought it’d be nice to create an action that would duplicate the layer with the next sequential number. The more I thought about it, the more times in the past I could think it’d be handy to be able to duplicate a layer, move the duplication and then create a new duplicated layer with the previous transform applied. To my knowledge, this isn’t possible in Photoshop - but that doesn’t mean I’ve missed it somewhere.
Smart Duplicate
mykhel
#2
“It’d be handy to be able to duplicate a layer, move the duplication and then create a new duplicated layer with the previous transform applied.”
make your transform on whatever layer
deselect everything
ctrl+alt+shift+T will duplicate your transform and place it on a separate layer
danlefeb
#3
Should’ve known it was that easy for the transformation. Thanks! 
Nothing for the ability to do sequential layers of text, huh?
mykhel
#4
The thing you are looking to do can be done in only one way(as far as I know), and that requires you to replace your text (numbers) with variables–variables as in the computer language sense-- and that requires learning or at least using Javascript. Again, this is my understanding of how to implement a true variable in an action, and I could be wrong. There are lots of folks doing just that and if it is important to you to get this done, try searching on photoshop actions / javascript /variables/ or some combination of that. You might also try a geeky board totally devoted to PS. Some guru there might knock out a script for you in a couple of minutes. I know I have had people write 3DS MAX scripts for me on this board for the small price of a thank you.
Good luck.
danlefeb
#5
Thanks Michael! I had no idea that you could use variables with text, but then I haven’t done much scripting for Photoshop…guess you learn something new every day! Now I’ll go troll the web for that “geeky PS forum” and see what else I can learn. Thanks again!
suztv
#6
There is a scripting site dedicated to Photoshop - what you’re looking for may already exist:
Try the exchange as well:
Good Luck!
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