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Leyland24950728h03e
Participant
July 19, 2024
Question

Batch exporting layers on all pages to separate .png files

  • July 19, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 1024 views

Hi. I'm looking for a way to succesfully batch export multiple layers across multiple pages as separate .png files.

 

For context: the documents I work with are interactive books. The main book content is all on one layer thoughout and exported as a .pdf file. Most other layers are hidden and reserved for "pop-up" information panels, which are on seperate layers, named specifically for each spread, and are exported individually in .png format. The pop-up pngs are later combined with the main book pdf in such a way that the user clicks on a button and the resulting pop-up for that spread appears. 

 

At the moment, my process for exporting the .pngs is that I have to select the "pop-up" layer for that spread, then manually export it to .png. Then I page to next spread, select that spread's pop-up layer, export it to .png. Repeat (sometimes for 50 pages or more).

 

Each book size varies in number of pop-ups (.pngs), pages and content.

 

What I would like to achieve is to be able to, perhaps via a script, run a batch exportation of all "pop-up" layers within the book, regardless of size or content, and have each layer save as a separate .png file, preferably with the layer name as the file name - without having to manually go from page to page selecting and exporting.

 

Does anyone know if this is even possible?

 

Thanks

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
July 19, 2024

If you work on a PC - my tool can do this easily - but it's not free. 

 

You can save your "settings" as a Task and use it the next time. 

 

You can also process multiple files INDD file - and you can do this overnight so you don't have to waste your time during the day.

And if you need - you can export any combinations of layers - to any exportable format.

 

You can export PDF and PNGs in one go. 

 

You could also upload exported PNG files to an FTP server - if you need. 

 

L
Leyland24950728h03eAuthor
Participant
July 19, 2024

OK - I'm interested to know more.

 

So, do I understand it correctly:  I can set the tool up once and then run it on any of my InDesign documents no matter how many pages or layers are in the document, and it will export all (or specific) layers to individual, named PNGs (or even PDFs)?

Or would I have to tinker with the settings each time for documents of different page and layer counts?

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
July 19, 2024
quote

OK - I'm interested to know more.

 

So, do I understand it correctly:  I can set the tool up once and then run it on any of my InDesign documents no matter how many pages or layers are in the document, and it will export all (or specific) layers to individual, named PNGs (or even PDFs)?

Or would I have to tinker with the settings each time for documents of different page and layer counts?


By @Leyland24950728h03e

 

It depends on how new files will be different.

 

If just number of pages / size - then it doesn't matter - unless you would have any special requirements.

 

If you add new layers - then it depends if you want to export each / specific layer(s) separately - then no tinkering necessary.

 

If you want to combine layers during export - export specific combinations - then it will depend on how you name them - you can have layers with specific names or you can add some "unique" part to the layer's name - like "EN" - then you can combine specific layers with all layers that start / end or have "EN" in the middle - so it won't matter how many layers you'll have in your file - and in what order - or what is the rest of the layer's name.

 

The way to select layers is very simple - you just keep / remove layers from the list - list, that will be automatically loaded for each INDD file.

 

You can even change order of the layers temporarily - and don't save the file at the end of the process - or save if you want - it's all up to you.

 

You can also show / hide layers in linked graphics - PSD / PDF / etc. - so you are not limited to just InDesign's layers...

 

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