Stopping/restarting an action while batching

[cornphoto]

I'm trying to batch convert groups of photos to b&w. The action i want to perform involves 3 steps: 1)channel mix to b&w, 2)stop to do curves, dodge/burn,etc. and 3)finish b&w convert w/ hue/saturation. If i insert a Stop then PS does allow me to finish the action but it stops the batch. I need to do the Hue/Sat after adjustments b/c otherwise i get a color shift. If this makes sense, any ideas? Thx
mark

[LightSite]

Just wanted to jump in here and throw in my opinion. This forum is filled with Photoshop geniuses and I'm sure someone knows the definitive answer to your question.

I'm assuming that the process of batching out images with an action would negate the ability to retouch and continue the batch process.

You can insert a stop into your action which will allow a continue, but when you are batching, this in effect stops the batch process and while it will allow you to finish the action, the batch process is stopped.

I don't think it's possible to do what you are trying to do. I'd like to be proven wrong!

[Phil_The_Rodent]

Action:

Make New layer
Ctrl-Shift-Alt-E
Perform channel mixer (Just press okay at this stage, so that channel mixer is in the action)
Perform curves (Just press okay)
Set layer blending mode to luminocity

Stop recording

Now there should be a square beside each step. If you click in these, a little "movie clapper" will appear. These stop an action in the middle so you can adjust the step. Add this to Channel Mixer/Curves.

You'll have to Dodge/Burn afterwards, but if it's on the lum. layer, it shouldn't adjust your colours.

[LightSite]

Phil, your suggestion will indeed work...but if you are batching out a folder of 500+ images, it negates the convenience and benefits of batching out an action if you have to go back to each image and apply your dodging and burning.

So, not to presume, but I think the original poster is trying to find out if you can stop an action when applying a batch command to do retouching, then continue the action and have it continue with the batch process as well?

[Phil_The_Rodent]

The thing is, it's stopped anyways, right? He's already negated the convenience. I was just suggesting a way to use the action while side-stepping the hue shifts. Whether you burn at the end or in the middle doesn't make a lick of difference in this application. Unless I am mistunderstanding it... In which case, if this is for greyscale conversion, channel mix, then curves, then dodge/burn is still the best way to go. Start in big steps. Channel mix most globally affects the greyscale conversion, touchups affect the least.

EDIT: Here, this may speed up your channel mix too: it's basically the greyscale channel mixer, but it forces the math to add up to 100% rather than having to muck about:
http://www.visualrevolution.com/~phil/Filters/AdvGrey.8bf

[dannyraphael]

Late to the party, but to clarify, one cannot pause an action invoked by the Batch command in order to apply manual steps, e.g., dodging or whatever, then resume with the next action step or next image if the action was complete when interrupted.

As a workaround, you could write two actions:
1. Apply all commands up until the manual steps need to be applied. In the Batch dialog, choose None for the Destination option. This will leave images open in the PS Window.

2. Apply all commands after the manual steps. Source: Open Files.

How it would work.
1. Invoke action 1 (via Batch). Destination: None. Half processed images are open in the PS window, ready to be manually manipulated.
2. Manually manipulate open images.
3. Invoke action 2 (via Batch). Source: Open Files. Finish up and save/close images.

Most likely there would be a limit to the number of images one could process in a given batch, but this would be better than totally manual.

[sPECtre]

Thanks again, Danny for your smart, simple, yet logic workarounds!

You should maybe put a link to the turorial page in your Profile, as your homepage, what do you think?