Naming files as part of an action?

[LightSite]

I've written an action to resize my photos twice for a shopping cart. The first time the image is sized for the full-sized image and I save the file using "save for web" into a folder on my desktop.

Then I size it down one more time for the thumbnail and originally used the "save for web" to save it to a thumnail folder on my desktop.

I just found out that my shopping cart host needs my thumbnail files named with a "thumb_" before the filename. I tried to create a custom "save" feature within the save for web, but it's not working. Is there anyway to add thumb_ to my thumbnail files as part of my action?

I could use filebrowser and batch rename the files after the action completes, but this creates another step in an already full workflow. Thanks to anyone who can assist with information.

[shakma]

you could use such as this to solve your problem. Yes it's an action outside your main workflow but I really think there's no other way :

for %i in (*) do copy %i thumb_%i

execute the above within a DOSbox (command prompt) after you've changed the directory to the one with the alleged (;-) thumbnails...

[LightSite]

Shakma...thanks for offering up a solution. I'm on a Mac system (guess I should have stated that) and I can batch rename in Photoshop, iView Multimedia Pro or A Better Finder Rename. I own all three and they each have a batch rename feature.

When you use the "save for web" function in CS, there is a dialog box that comes up after you hit save prompting you for a file name. At the bottom of that box is a pull down menu for slices, html, html only and "other". When you select other, another dialog box comes up with all the naming conventions. I can type in thumb and choose underscore and filename and extension. The example name shows it correctly, but when I actually "save" the file after setting all that up, it does not work. I even tried to save those settings and choosing load when I get to that step. I thought I might be doing it wrong.

Am I missing something or is this just NOT possible? I figured if anyone would know out there, it's the geniuses that frequent this forum.

[jonbalza]

The only thing I can think of is run the action through the "Batch" command instead of just running the action. The Batch command allows for renaming right along with it, but I'm not sure about how the 2 save commands will work with it. I think it should, though.

[LightSite]

I don't see how the batch command would allow you to save a file twice? Yes, it does allow renaming, but the way I'm trying to do it all in one fell swoop...I don't think that would work. Great idea though.

[jonbalza]

I haven't tested this out, but I imagine that if the action has 2 save commands, then you may be able to batch that single action to get it to save twice. Maybe not, though.

[LightSite]

Here is the action I'm working on if you want to test it out and modify it to work. It is set up to save to a folder called thumbnails and a folder called preview on your desktop.

[jonbalza]

Interesting aside: that file refuses to download for me using FireFox. I had to open it in IE to get it to work.

Anyway, my plan has some problems in that it needs to be done using "Save As..." commands, not "Save for Web". And even then, I don't think it will work.

However, I have good news. I have devised a method that will work, but it will take a while to do the programming: Use scripting.

If you have never done that before it might be something to ask around and see if anyone you know knows Javascript and wants to learn about Photoshop's DOM. I'll see if I can find time to play around with this later, but I can't right now.

[jonbalza]

Ahhh... hmmmm... It appears that you can't do Save For Web directly through scripting. Here's a couple threads on the subject:

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?128@52.phkUcS9WZRt.2631250@.3bb51b4c
http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?128@52.phkUcS9WZRt.2631254@.3bb4b1de

I really don't have the time to figure out all of that right now, sorry. It can be done, but it's a pain in the neck.

[LightSite]

Sir Jon...thank you for taking the time to research that information. If it's a pain in the neck, then so be it, perhaps it's better left alone. I know folks here are up for a challange.

I can easily batch rename the files, but it's just one more thing I have to remember to do before I submit my files to the lab for the shopping cart. It's nice to automate redundant tasks and I thought I had this licked until they threw that curve ball at me.

Thanks Jon!

[digitalnomad]

Originally posted by jonbalza
Interesting aside: that file refuses to download for me using FireFox. I had to open it in IE to get it to work.

Sorry for the offtopic but: I couldn't get it to work either, but I found that getting the user agent extension and then setting it to IE 6, it duped the file enough for it to download without complaining.

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
Here is the action I'm working on if you want to test it out and modify it to work. It is set up to save to a folder called thumbnails and a folder called preview on your desktop. Greetings Earthlings,
We were able to download your action perfectly! For those who were having trouble with it, right-click on the link and choose "Download Link to Disk" (name it as he has it named and unzip it manually).

LightSite,
We really liked the action and how well it seemed to work up to the point where naming (or adding a prefix) to the file became a problem.

We (think we) have a simple solution although it probably will not be the perfect one (yet).
_______________________________________________
In your action palette, scroll down to your Export action steps and click on the small dialog icon next to them. This turns on the Export Dialog in the automation process and stops there until you click on Save, then it proceeds to the next action step. This would allow you to name each file whatever you want as part of the action process, however (and unfortunately) it also means "manually" typing the file names in and adding the prefix. (We assume the 600x600 files are named what they ultimately will be named).

To make the manual typing a bit more automated, you can simply highlight and cmd-C (Copy) the "Thumb_" prefix the FIRST time around and then Up-Arrow (to jump to the beginning of the text box) and cmd-V (Paste) the prefix for each thumbnail after that.
_______________________________________________
We understand that this isn't the "smoothest" of solutions to the problem. Hopefully, due diligence will eventually reward us with a more satisfying one.

As an alternative, you can also program a Quickey (or some Macro Utility program) to do the final saves (to the right folders) and renaming.
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We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
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[LightSite]

Greetings Alien...%/ I wish I were as versed with creating such nice looking posts!

While I appreciate your approach and apparant solution, you were correct in assuming this is NOT a solution for me. Why, you ask? I have created this action to batch process wedding files for an online gallery being hosted by my professional photo lab. I have over 1200 image files each week right now and sitting down in front of my computer, manually typing in thumb_ simply would send me into the loony bin faster than drugs or alcohol or my ex-wife ever will!

I truly appreciate everyone's brainstorming though. Any thoughts on making the action better? Lol...

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
While I appreciate your approach and apparant solution, you were correct in assuming this is NOT a solution for me. Why, you ask? I have created this action to batch process wedding files for an online gallery being hosted by my professional photo lab. I have over 1200 image files each week right now and sitting down in front of my computer, manually typing in thumb_ simply would send me into the loony bin faster than drugs or alcohol or my ex-wife ever will!
I truly appreciate everyone's brainstorming though. Any thoughts on making the action better? Lol...

Very well, LightSite.
We will continue to seek solutions as it has also been our desire for quite some time to be able to enter ascii characters into dialogs from Photoshop actions.

We now understand that the shear volume of your task prohibits this from satisfying your needs and we will continue to explore other possibilities.

Since you did not respond to the Quickeys comment, we can only assume that you do not have this program. This is regretable as it can easily be programmed to produce automatic sequences from within programs which could potentially address your need.

Another programming possibility is AppleScript which is capable of sending AppleEvents to Photoshop, although exactly HOW this could be acheived would require some study of the scripting language. Quickeys circumvents the need for elaborate scripting by sending AppleEvents directly from it's modules which perform a variety of common tasks (including sending text to a dialog).
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We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
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[Ammar Midani]

Welcome on board Klatu Baradda Nekto, great/fun way of helping.



Ammar

[LightSite]

Since this thread is already going strong, I decided to throw in another variable that's outside my level of expertise.

As part of the action, I'd like to place my business logo (screened back) as an overlay in the lower left corner of every image. I've set up the action to size my images the same regardless of vertical or horizontal orientation.

Here's the rub...how can I set up the action to bring in my business logo overlay and place it in the proper position regardless of whether the image is vertical or horizontal? Can this be set up as a percentage? That way it's not an absolute value. I'm just not sure how to accomplish this? HELP!

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
As part of the action, I'd like to place my business logo (screened back) as an overlay in the lower left corner of every image. I've set up the action to size my images the same regardless of vertical or horizontal orientation.

Here's the rub...how can I set up the action to bring in my business logo overlay and place it in the proper position regardless of whether the image is vertical or horizontal? Can this be set up as a percentage? That way it's not an absolute value. I'm just not sure how to accomplish this? HELP! Salutations once again LightSite,
We pondered this puzzling and perplexing pixelated predicament to postulate and pontificate about some extremely and extraordinarily expert experimentation which arrived at a rather stunningly shapely and yet stupendously simple signatorial solution. It is our hope that this will amply appease your ambitious and aspiring appellative assignation. However, regardless of this, we believe it is practical to post here for others who may find this modest method meritorious.

THE STUPENDOUSLY SIMPLE SHAPE TOOL
1) Turn your signature into a Custom Shape! And here's how...
a) Draw your shape.
b) Select your shape with the Magic Wand or Color Range...
c) Turn the selection into a Path (path pallette)
d) Choose Edit>Define Custom Shape...
and voila! you now have an incredible new Custom Shape!

NOTE: While shapes are typically SOLID forms, you can get some interesting halftone effects with the Halftone Pattern… found in the Sketch filter submenu.

2) Place a Draw Shape action step into your action.
Since you say you have a step in your action which sizes ALL your images "the same size," place this Draw Shape action step after you have resized the image (or better yet, make this the LAST step before the SAVE step).
Here's why this may be the solution for you:
When you create a Draw Shape action step, it will place the shape at the exact coordinates where you place it in the original action image EVERY TIME!

This is of paramount importance because having this step before the image sizing step will evoke the dreaded Alert Warning box which will admonish you that your shape is "outside the image area." If you keep these in the correct order, this should never happen... (er, ah, unless, of course, the gravity shifts on your planet ±.003%, in which case, either all life will cease to exist as we know it OR... we'll see pretty rainbows everywhere).

...we'll be right back after this important message from our sponsor...

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Are your images tired, dull and lifeless? Do you have both horizontal AND vertical images to process? Well, don't fret! Just create TWO amazing Photoshop Actions and in no time you'll be batch processing images just like the pros! Here's the secret. Just duplicate the Action and redraw the Draw Shape action step to accommodate your image orientation. That's all there is to it! Now when you run your action, just choose the one that fits your image! Yes! It's THAT simple! What a triumph of technology! Call now and buy yours TODAY!

Disclaimer: Must separate images into two categories before running batch processing. Not appropriate for children or small pets. May cause blurred vision or headaches. Consult your physician before using. Not sold in stores. Void where prohibited.
_______________________________________________

...we now return to our regularly scheduled transmission already in progress...

...zplix it, which makes a terrfic fertilizer as well.

Now, depending on what your needs are regarding this next step, you can either:
3a) Add a Layer before the Draw Shape step OR (to keep it simple)…
3b) draw the shape directly on the image (background layer).

If you are drawing it on a new layer, naturally you can add all the fantastic Styles and/or Layer effects you want to this (such as a drop shadow). However, the aphorism of "Keep It Stupendously Simple" (K.I.S.S.) is still worth a reminder.

There are some useful advantages to this method to consider.
Firstly, it actually works in an action sequence! (Which by now you have certainly seen how frustrating it can be to try get a desirable [yet unrecordable] action to •Record•).

Secondly, whatever Foreground Color you have selected becomes the color for the shape you use. This means that if you have a bunch of dark images, you can use white (or light color) for your shape OR if you have a light image, you can use black (or dark color) for it.

Thirdly, (this is Gort's favorite), if you are placing this directly on the image, you can change the Blend mode and Opacity right there in the Control Bar (while recording the action step)! Truly a wonderous thing!
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

OMG! You seriously crack me up! It will take me some serious earth-time to assimilate this information...but as your arch nemesis would say..."Resistance is futile"

While I appreciate your tutorial and it is MOST helpful and filled with information that I will use on another date, I am assuming that my original question is once again...NOT POSSIBLE!

Guess I'm finding all the things that need to be updated in the next version of PS? The reason I am asking these questions is to streamline my post production time. I am swamped and falling very far behind. Writing an action and batching out that aspect is what I need to do. Having to sort my images by vertical or horizontal orientation is not a solution. That, once again, adds another step to an already bloated workflow. You do get MAJOR points for creativity and style!

[LightSite]

I'm sorry that I can't let this go, but I'm on a quest and since Photoshop is my favorite app...it's got to be able to do this somehow!

What about using a Javascript? I could not write one to save my life, but could this be a way to call up an image and place it into your photo? I want this to be one action, not having to split things into vertical and horizontal folders and then having to batch rename them seperately later, etc.

It seems that you should be able to place in image (such as a logo) based on percentages and not an X,Y coordinate, with a script.

[jonbalza]

Time out... we have moved on from renaming multiple files in an action to inserting in a logo? In that case, perform a search on the forum for "watermark" and "action". I know there's an action around here that inserts in text. I'm sure you could modify it to insert in a shape. There's even a default script that does something similar.

[LightSite]

Respectfully, I started the thread on inserting a filename with a Java Script that was incorporated into an action. This thread was started because that particular action did not work and my requirements changed. I now need to add a prefix to my filenames as part of an action, which has been very clearly stated. Now that same idea, which I'm told is not possible with Photoshop may be incorporated into inserting a graphic, a logo...NOT TEXT. Basically the same technique...I'm brainstorming here as the idea seems, continually to be missed.

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
It seems that you should be able to place in image (such as a logo) based on percentages and not an X,Y coordinate, with a script. Greetings,
Be not troubled earthling. Your diligence may be rewarded afterall!
We believe we have discovered a method that will allow you to record an action that can consistently insert a logo or graphic while using a PERCENT (as you had orginally postulated) onto an image in the same lower right corner regardless of the images horizontal or vertical orientation!

This method has 2 key (yet simple) features that will permit this.

Firstly, the Transform Scale tool and...
Secondly, the simple Paste command.

Here's the basics.

1) Create your logo as a separate document and save it as a PSD file (native Photoshop file). We found that if you create a logo with a transparent background this method works best (more on this later).
2) Start your Action •Recording•
3) Open your image file (the one with which you want to place the logo).
4) Open your logo document.
5) Select All and Copy your logo then Close the logo document.
6) Create a new (empty) Layer (in your image document)
7) Select All... (this is where it gets interesting and yet SO simple)
8) Fill Selection (PC: Alt Delete or Mac: Opt Delete)
9) Choose Edit>Transform>Scale (PC:Cntrl T Mac: Cmd T)

Now for the MAGIC!
10)[/color] Click on the Reference Point icon in the lower right corner like so: http://img57.exs.cx/img57/2694/RefPoint.jpg located in the Control Bar.
11) Then hold and drag the selection from the upper left corner dragging diagonal to the lower right and "guestimate" the approximate size you will need for your logo.

NOTE: Don't worry too much at this point about the size as you can correct this Action step by double clicking on it later and adjusting the size to comfortably accomodate your logo. When you double-click on an Action step that has been prevoisly recorded, it will •re-record• your corrections and stop when you are finished with your adjustments.

12) Take careful notice of the Height and Width percentages in the Control Bar. If you need to adjust your Action Step, this is where you should make your adjustments.
http://img57.exs.cx/img57/2232/ScaleCntrlBar.jpg

13) Now choose Edit>Paste (PC: cntrl V or Mac: cmd V). This will actually create a whole New Layer, however, we still needed the Fill Layer for the Transform Tool to have something to actually Scale without touching the image.
14) And for your last step, Delete the Fill Layer and •Stop• your Action.

From here you can add Layer Blends, salt & pepper to taste, add garnish... eh voila! You have zee masterpiece, no?

Now for some breif commentary about why this works the way it does.
The Reference Point icon sets the lower left corner of the document (ANY document you have opened) as a fixed point. The Transform Scale tool is drawn from the upper left corner to the desired size to ensure that the dimensions are drawn on ANY document from the top left to the fixed point at the bottom of the image. The amazing Reference Point icon is doing the greatest and most critical work in this Action. It's your gaurantee that no matter what orientation the document is positioned, the bottom right will always be fixed.

The dummy Fill Layer is necessary because the transform tool needs something to transform and won't do it to an empty layer. The whole point of this exercise is to create a selection area the size of our logo. The percentage actually has very little to do with the whole process except to create the desired selection area. Once a transform has been accepted, it instantly becomes a selection (which we conveniently take advantage of).

The Paste command will always paste whatever it has on the clipboard into the CENTER of a selection. Therefore, make sure your logo is centered in the original document. It's also useful to know the dimensions of the logo before-hand to adjust your Scale tool to match it.

As we mentioned, the transparency of the logo is important if your logo is line art which will allow your image to show through the open parts of the logo. Any transparency surrounding your logo will be trimmed away during the clipboard Copy & Paste.

Okay, hold on Gort needs our attention... What's that? Oh...
Hmmm, he wants to know if he can get back the last hour of his life?
Gort what are you doing? Wait ! No, don't touch that... Wait! It will affect the time-dilation of this univ....
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We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

Gort...I'm humbled by your knowledge and thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I now have the knowledge I was seeking and am smiling once more. Thank you so much, man you must be some sort of mind reader. I just KNEW it had to be possible with a little creative thinking outside the box...

Thank you for an amazing post, there is much to learn!

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
Gort ... I'm humbled by your knowledge and thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I now have the knowledge I was seeking and am smiling once more. Thank you so much, man you must be some sort of mind reader. I just KNEW it had to be possible with a little creative thinking outside the box...
Thank you for an amazing post, there is much to learn! There is great rejoicing and celebratating on our world! To commorate this success, We are planning a great "kegger" this evening.
Gort is a bit apprehensive about going out for beer. He was carded the last time and embarrassed over showing his I.D. as well as others discovering his age (which is 512 - We keep reassuring him that he doesn't look a day over 256). He's also a bit miffed that he won't be able to drink tonight as he is, once again, the designated driver.

Uh oh, he's scanning this text... Oh great, now he's pouting. Here comes another week of getting the "cold visor."
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

Alright...Gort...preliminary testing indicates you may be on to something here. Who the hell are you? I thought I was pretty scary with Photoshop, but you are light years ahead of me. Your technique is right on and who can deny the appeal of your posts, both in tone and graphic appeal?

Bowing humbly before Gort...Kegger is on me! f|

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
Alright...Gort...preliminary testing indicates you may be on to something here. Who the hell are you? I thought I was pretty scary with Photoshop, but you are light years ahead of me. Your technique is right on and who can deny the appeal of your posts, both in tone and graphic appeal? Bowing humbly before Gort...Kegger is on me! f|

It is most gratifying to have such kindness bestowed upon us. Thank you.
As to our identity... perhaps this link (http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=88363) will help... (well, perhaps not, but you might be able to kill a few minutes in "obscure reference" hell. It wouldn't hurt to have some "awareness" of a certain sci-fi flick from 1951 either).
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

I (in the singular) wish to bestow my heart-felt thanks to Klaatu for their undying devotion to helping mankind with their understandings of the mysteries of Photoshop. But, alas, upon trying to send an email to their people, received the following message...

Sorry! That user has specified that they do not wish to receive emails through this board. If you still wish to send an email to this user, please contact the administrator and they may be able to help.

It must be an inter-galactic issue as I cannot communicate with your people. Perhaps I could send up a homing beacon or you could teleport some sort of communication device or leave instructions on how to assemble one?

[LightSite]

Perhaps this thread has gotten a bit off subject and for that I apologize. Perhaps a moderator could move them...

My original intent was to find a way to add the prefix "thumb" to my thumbnail images that I generated in my action for my photo shopping cart. It would appear this is not possible using today's technology. I then asked about inserting my logo, thinking a JavaScript could be written to do just that AND the same script used to add a prefix to my thumbnail files as they were being saved.

The Gort/Klaatu species was kind enough to enlighten me and offer assistance. This post is in response to his very well written tutorial. Unfortunately, it does not work!

Here's why. The action I've written involves two steps. Resizing an original Canon 10D file to a preview image, saving it to a folder on my desktop, then resizing the image once more to a thumbnail size and saving it to a different folder. Worked great. The filename prefix and the logo are not working.

My image size is 642 pixels by 427 pixels. There are vertial and horizontal images. Using the Klaatu technique with a free transformed layer as a reference for placing the logo encountered the following problems. The logo is not placed in the same location for vertical and horizontal images.

Using the stated file size in the horizontal orientation and a logo which is 175 pixels by 55 pixels, requires the horizontal transformation be set at 42.5% horizontal and 32.5% vertical. This places the logo in the proper location.

However...on a vertical image of the same proportions, using the very same logo, requires the vertical transformation to be set at 60% horizontal and 25% vertical to achieve placement of the logo in the same position.

Therefore, we must humbly announce the idea is very close, but not working at this point. We had great expectations from a superior race and welcome any further suggestions. We still maintain that perhaps a well versed Java script could accomplish both tasks? In this area I am completely ingnorant and suffering.

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
Using the stated file size in the horizontal orientation and a logo which is 175 pixels by 55 pixels, requires the horizontal transformation be set at 42.5% horizontal and 32.5% vertical. This places the logo in the proper location.

However...on a vertical image of the same proportions, using the very same logo, requires the vertical transformation to be set at 60% horizontal and 25% vertical to achieve placement of the logo in the same position.

Therefore, we must humbly announce the idea is very close, but not working at this point. We had great expectations from a superior race and welcome any further suggestions. We still maintain that perhaps a well versed Java script could accomplish both tasks? In this area I am completely ingnorant and suffering.

Gort is stamping his very large and cacophonous feet. Aparently he's upset that you are still having trouble with this technique. It's important (for obvious reasons) that we do not distress him unduly. Gort! Berenga!!! There... that's better. Maybe now we can think.

It is assumed that you followed ALL the steps correctly and that the problems you are having now in NO WAY would be due to "pilot error."

From what you describe, the Reference Point does not appear to be responding (or set) as it should (i.e., the lower right corner). http://img57.exs.cx/img57/2694/RefPoint.jpg

It may be possible that this did not get •Recorded• when entering your Action steps or was recorded out of order. This step is crucial for this method to work correctly.

We have experimented with several files of different orientation and size and found this method places the logo/signature the same distance from the bottom right corner in each. Remember that this setting should come before the Transform actually takes place.

If this is, in fact, set correctly in your Action step, then we must conclude that this step does not work in your particular copy of Photoshop and the reasons for this are unclear. Perhaps we just discovered a "bug."

As an experiment, try to create a New Action that only has our method and then recreate the steps one by one (even if you already have this as a separate Action, it's best to start fresh). Keeping it separate (for the moment) will at least ensure that the steps are not having some problems with other steps. Once you know it works, then it can be integrated into your final Action.
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

Klaatu ... be not distressed as your intentions are good.

We will test your theory and report back as to the results. Until then, let us ponder this...

In our tests, the reference point was indeed enacted correctly, in the correct point in time. But, consider that the action is being recorded with the transformation taking place based on a percentage of the width and height. Given this, 60% (width) of a horizontal image will indeed give you a different value than 60% (width) of a vertical image. You can test this for yourself. Since the resulting transformation yields a different sized box, the paste command with the logo will indeed place it in a different location.

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by LightSite
... be not distressed as your intentions are good.
In our tests, the reference point was indeed enacted correctly, in the correct point in time. But, consider that the action is being recorded with the transformation taking place based on a percentage of the width and height. Given this, 60% (width) of a horizontal image will indeed give you a different value than 60% (width) of a vertical image. You can test this for yourself. Since the resulting transformation yields a different sized box, the paste command with the logo will indeed place it in a different location. Ah! The road to Hell is paved with them...

Greetings,
Okay, this time we KNOW we got it (in the BIG BOLD Capital Limegreen sense of the word too!).

Here's the revised tutorial. (and for those following along at home, you can put on your 3D glasses now)

1) Create your logo as a separate document and save it as a PSD file (native Photoshop file). We found that if you create a logo with a transparent background this method works best (more on this later).
2) Start your Action •Recording•
3) Open your image file (the one with which you want to place the logo).
4) Open your logo document.
5) Select All and Copy your logo then Close the logo document.
6) Create a new (empty) Layer (in your image document)
EDIT: Truth be told, step 6 is redundant since pasting (in the next step) will automatically create a new layer.

http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/images/icons/icon2.gif ATTENTION: this is the point where it changes http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/images/icons/icon2.gif

We're NOT going to create a "dummy layer" this time or even use the Transform Tool as this technique is so "dirt stupid" simple, even Gort could do it. (We don't mean to pick on poor ol' Gort but he does seem to have a one track crainial processor).

7) Paste (Yeah, that's right. We said PASTE! PC: Cntrl V or Mac: Cmd V)
8) Now, Select All (PC:Cntrl A Mac: Cmd A)

Now for the New MAGIC!
9) Choose Layer>Align To Selection>Bottom Edges
10) And once again, choose Layer>Align To Selection>Right Edges
11) Now choose the Move Tool (press "V") and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to "nudge" the logo where you want it to make it's final home.
12) Okay, now •Stop• recording

DONE!
We even cut out a couple steps in the process.
Whew! We need a beer.
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[LightSite]

Klaatu Greetings and Salutations to the great Klaatu from planet Earth as we prepare a summation of your last post.

Unfortunately, we must report failure once more. Our testing indicates a conditional flaw on the method you've desribed. If the action is written to place the logo aligned to the bottom and then nudged into place (let's say the lower right corner) than a vertical image will exhibit the logo in a different oreintation. Why? Because the action records how far to the right you move the logo. With a horizontal image, this movement is further than with a vertical image.

I'm surprised that your internal testing did not prove this theory before you spent so much time presenting it as a solution, very nicely formatted I might add.

We speculate that an action based on a Java Scipt may indeed present the final solution. Please refer to this new post by Spectre. http://photoshoptechniques.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=88708&t=534#post88708

Using this technique, it may be possible to record an action for vertical and horizontal images with a conditional response. (think Pavlov's dog). In the meantime, I wish to thank you for your efforts thus far. I was able to successfully enact your original postulation as two actions. One for horizontal images and one for vertical. This did require the use of a very handy feature in CS with Image Browser's ability to sort images in a folder by vertical and horizontal orientation. Then I moved them to two folders and batched my appropriate action.

The prefix naming problem was solved by using a very simple piece of software called A Better Finder Rename (http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderRename/) which allowed me to create a droplet on my desktop with the required renaming parameters memorized. I then drag and drop the contents of my thumbnail folder onto the droplet and Voila! all the files have thumb_ added to the beginning of the filename. All in all success, but I'd prefer one action to do it all and I'm confident it's possible with a bit more creative thinking.

Is there any way to place the logo or logo layer into an X/Y coordinate? Any attempts involving a percentage of the width and height or moving will always be different between horizontal and vertical images. Once the images are sized, the lower right corner is always the lower right corner. So close!

The road to success is paved with good intentions and many failures. I hope you do not give up on my quest as I have learned a GREAT deal from this exchange and humbly respect your advice and wisdom. Thank you for sharing so freely. }$

If you contact us directly, the beers are on us! }}

[jonbalza]

Use Klaatu's method, (excellent idea as always, btw...) but align it both to the bottom and to the right. (you can see that option right under the "bottom edges" option.)

Then nudge the layer up and to the left.

That should work for both vertical and horizontal images.

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by jonbalza
Use Klaatu's method, (excellent idea as always, btw...) [such adulatory comments humble us] but align it both to the bottom and to the right. (you can see that option right under the "bottom edges" option.) Then nudge the layer up and to the left. That should work for both vertical and horizontal images.
Greetings Jon,
Hmmm... ? Please see step 10 above in our last tutorial posting.

We would have thought this was certainly THE solution to LightSite's quest, however, this lastest failure has us rightly perplexed (assuming, once again, that ALL steps have been followed).

We have successfully run numerous tests of images of various sizes and orientations using an Action created exactly from the above tutorial. It has placed a signature logo in the lower right corner of each, without failure. This suggest, perhaps, that some step has been missed either on our part or on his. We will review each step once more to verify that all have been included in the tutorial.

There is, however, some question among us as to whether all the steps were followed based upon LightSite's summary of the process, thusly...
...the action is written to place the logo aligned to the bottom and then nudged into place...Though we are reluctant to jump to hasty conclusions, this summary is, of course, missing the all important step 10 which dutifully aligns the logo to the Right as well (following the Align to Bottom in step 9). From this point the "nudging" should be replicated faithfully in the Action, pixel for pixel.

If this is only an oversight of step 10, wonderful! Then we can continue to celebrate and Gort can continue to serve us the next round. Otherwise, we will close the bar and go home. Party over.

We do, however, find a small amount of satisfaction that LightSite has temporarily solved the majority of his objectives and that we have played a small part in that.
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[jonbalza]

Yes, I shouldn't have written as fast as I did. I simply did mean that your post was correct, and it appeared as he was skipping that all-important step 10.

[sPECtre]

Lightsite, why don't you use thebatch rename function of Photoshop, just add thumb_ in the first block, then filename in the second, and extention in the third?

klaatu thanks again for helping us poor earthlings!

[LightSite]

Lightsite, why don't you use thebatch rename function of Photoshop, just add thumb_ in the first block, then filename in the second, and extention in the third?
Spectre...thank you for your suggestion. If you look at the action I'm working on (I posted it for anyone to download) you'll notice that it saves the image twice. Once as a preview image and secondly as a thumbnail. Yes, I could use the batch rename function of Image Browser, but I was hoping to eliminate a step in my bloated workflow. ABFR is a much faster solution if the file renaming can not be created as part of my action. Once created, the droplet retains all the information I need. This elminates typing every time and it's a much faster interface than Image Browser.

To Klaatu et all... It would appear that step 10 was overlooked on my part. As is the case with most human interactions, error on our part is quite common and generally the cause of most problems. Perhaps at some point in time we can interface with a more advanced society of beings whose reliance on technology and hardware interfacing is a bit more refined and less prone to human involvement.

I did see the align to bottom, but remember looking for a choice to do both. After reading your post, I went back and created the action to align to the bottom edge and then to the right. My logo was indeed placed correctly on both horizontal and vertical images. There is a slgiht discrepency in the placement on my vertical images, but I'm confident this is due to the size of the canvas and the way I've written my original action. At this point, it's all refinement.

My wife has thrown me into the geek arena because of my fascination with all things Photoshop. It is the HEART of my business. This forum has become invaluable as a resource to the mysteries of my favorite app that are beyond my skill level and understanding and I've used Photoshop since before version 4 (version 3?).

I can't thank everyone enough for being so patient in their generous help and contribution to my understanding. Klaatu...you've raised the bar for well thought, patient and outstandingly formatted posts... }} Three cheers for Gort!

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

To Klaatu et all... It would appear that step 10 was overlooked on my part...
...I can't thank everyone enough for being so patient in their generous help and contribution to my understanding. Klaatu...you've raised the bar for well thought, patient and outstandingly formatted posts... }} Three cheers for http://img3.exs.cx/img3/4483/Gort.gif!
Well, it was a long, slient and frozen night here waiting for a transmission that let us know whether we should continue our celebration or go home. Gort was so impatient that he recklessly suggested that we visit Earth once more and erradicate the entire planet!

It took some convincing of several hours before we were able to get him to stand-down his very "short-fuse" retalitory program and get him to see that this was not an act of aggression. We may have gone a bit over-board with our methods of convincing as he has enjoyed hours of a soothing bubble-bath while watching his favorite classic movies and 1960s sitcoms, and now has several attendant beauties polishing his shiny metal posterior. He's beginning to think that he is either King or a god here.

We may have to send him to a deprogramming clinic to undo this recent obsession. However, it is a small price to pay for the satisfaction we all feel over this successful solution.

Since we heard this good news this morning, the festivities have been ramping-up to a cocphanous roar. Tonight should be a shiny example of chaos-theory in action.

"Step 10, Step 10, Step 10!" has now become the chanting mantra here. Some industrious capitalists have already printed up T-shirts, coffee mugs and baseball caps with the "Step 10" logo on it.

It has been our distinct pleasure to serve. This tremendously hospitable forum offers us a unique perspective of the creative human experience which is greatly enhanced by the infinite and fathomless possibilities of the Photoshop program. The contributions made by the members and moderators of this forum-website (PsT) represent the best and greatest qualities of humanity. It is what has drawn us here.
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
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[sPECtre]

Let's use google language tools set to gort:

}( ~!

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by sPECtre
Let's use google language tools set to http://img3.exs.cx/img3/4483/Gort.gif:
}( ~! :lol:

The Step 10 logo is popping up everywhere now!

Some have even suggested that it replace our planet's name (which is too inarticulate to translate into any Earth languages).

Hmmm... Planet Step 10...?
__________________
We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~
| File | Edit | View | Think | Sleep | Exist |

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

It's already evolving...

The word Step 10 has morphed into a single word "Stepten" and then into an abbreviated version which is just simply "S10."

Our world's Governing Counsel has convened a special session to decide on changing the name of our planet to S10. There will be official word later today if it passes. Things happen fairly quickly here as we don't really have the skills to debate issues and everyone pretty much agrees with intelligent ideas from the start. Generations of aggressive behavior has been conditioned out of us due to the race of http://img3.exs.cx/img3/4483/Gort.gif-like robots who ensure that we conform or be eliminated. Essentially, we are a race of spineless weaklings... although, we can probably out "nerd" the best this galaxy has to offer.

We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~

[dannyraphael]

Klatu and Lightside:

Late to the party, but a facinating discussion.

- - - - - -

Klatu:

Your 1st solution suggestion (custom shape, 1 action per orientation) would work on images of any physical size and resolution because placement and sizing of the custom shape would be a function (percentage) of image dimensions, correct?

Solution #2 (1 action, regardless of orientation) solves the consistency in placement problem introduced by relative placement, but lacks the scaling flexibility of #1, true?

BTW: "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) starring Michael Rennie as Klatu and Lock Martin as Gort was my first and a very memorable sci-fi flick.

~Danny~

[Klatu Baradda Nekto]

Originally posted by dannyraphael
Klatu:
Your 1st solution suggestion (custom shape, 1 action per orientation) would work on images of any physical size and resolution because placement and sizing of the custom shape would be a function (percentage) of image dimensions, correct?Greetings ~Danny~,

As you can see, reading through this lengthy thread, this was an evolving tutorial.

The Shape Tool failed to produce the desired results because the percentage altered it's shape as well as it's placement depending on the image orientation.

For example: if you created an Action that took a horizontal logo-shape and placed it in a horizontal image, no problem. However, once you ran this Action on a vertical image, the narrow width of the image would alter the percentage of the shape proportionaly and thereby "squishing" it's horizontal shape into a less-than-horizontal one (depending on the dimensions of the vertical image).

Conversely, if you created an Action which placed a horizontal logo-shape into a vertical image, the problem would occur when running the Action on horizontal images (which would now "stretch" the logo proportionally to the image.

It DID place the logo in the correct location, however, in the end, this was not the answer to the problem.Solution #2 (1 action, regardless of orientation) solves the consistency in placement problem introduced by relative placement, but lacks the scaling flexibility of #1, true?Actually, this latter solution has both the flexibility of Scaling and Orientation. You could use the Shape Tool to draw and scale your logo and then place it correctly by the Align Left/Right menu choice.

BTW, we just realized that Step 6 is absolutely superfluous because of the subsequent Paste command of Step 7 which automatically creates a New Layer. Drat! Now we have to rename our entire PLANET! AGAIN!BTW: "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) starring Michael Rennie as Klatu and Lock Martin as Gort was my first and a very memorable sci-fi flick.~Danny~ Ah yes, our favorite family home-movies!

We are explorers.
We have come to visit you in peace and good will.
~! ~Klaatu~

[BabbleGrabble]

Ahh … thanks, dannyraphael. I knew something seemed very familiar. Klatu, it seems George Lucas saw your home movie as well.

[Black Razor]

Klatu...Black Razor here...need your help back in my Auntie M Project...hope to hear ya over there.

Sorry for posting out of context.

Ciao.

Black Razor