Batch Rename In Photoshop

#1

I want to run an Action on a batch of files and also rename them in the process. I can’t seem to get this to work. Is this part better done in Bridge?

Thanks.

Bob

#2

OK. I think I got the renaming part to work, but my files won’t process.

It’s a simple Action: covert files to 300 dpi grayscale flattened PDFs. When I try to batch them, all the files stay open, they never finish processing.

Any ideas? I’ve never gotten Actions and Batching to work properly.

#3

In the batch window, in the Destination field, you can choose “Save and Close.” This will end the action on each file by saving it and closing it.

As for the batch renaming, I know that Bridge has a renaming utility. Did you manage to get Photoshop to rename your files within the action?

#4

I tried that. Didn’t work.

The Action works OK on one image at a time, but when I Batch it, it never works. It either does the same image over and over, or it leaves all the files open and they’re not even all the way through the Action.

I’ve tried all combinations of items checked on and off in the Batch window, too.

I don’t know why this never works.

#5

Hmm, weird.

Every time that I batch process images, I forget that the “save and close” option is in there, so I record myself closing the file as part of the action… Maybe you should give that a shot.

#6

Tried that, too. Doesn’t work.

Very strange…

#7

Works for me - however, you may want to make sure that when you record the action, you tick the ‘don’t show again’ dialogs. It may interfere with the batch process. Haven’t tested that, though, but it makes sense.

Here are my settings:

http://i46.tinypic.com/okwr4k.jpg

As for renaming, open the folder with the processed files in Bridge, and use TOOLS–>RENAME.

PS you MUST leave 'Override Action “Save As” checked if you want to select a different location to save to - otherwise it will save the files where you saved the original one you used to create the action.

The batch processing dialog is one of those places of Photoshop that needs a bit of a usability overhaul, in my honest opinion. A tad counter-intuitive for most.

#8

Thanks. The screen shot will help.

I’ve run into another problem and that’s the files I’m starting with are PDFs. It seems the Batch process has problems with those. I’ve seen other people having the same problem.

It seems you need to have the files run through two batches in order for the whole Action to work.

Still not sue if this is a bug or not. Others have suggested using an older version of PS, like CS, but that’s not always an option.

Bob

#9

Nope - I tested it with pdf to pdf, and did not encounter any problems. Batch processing works as it’s supposed to work. Did you check the ‘don’t show this dialog’ tick boxes in the pdf save dialog? (I am working in CS4, and the first time you try to save a pdf file, it will give you a warning.)

#10

Yep, tried that.

I have read others having the same problem. The solution was to run the Action twice.

Let it batch through a bunch of files (they will stay open in Photoshop). Then run the batch again using Opened Files for the Source.

Not the best solution, but I’ve tried every combination and nothing else works.

Bob

#11

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.