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Participating Frequently
October 9, 2019
Question

Action for opening different files

  • October 9, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 4310 views

Hello, 

I have a problem with an action, which has an open command. Mainly, I have short video files from Panasonic GH4 camera with Post Focus option. So You can choose focus point later. BUT I'm using it to focus stacking, to have whole image in focus for Photogrammetry. 

I've done an action where I open a video file to layers, because I need all the focus planes. 
Then I use batch, or Image processor, but it always takes only the same file which is recorded in the action, which is wrong. 
How to force Photoshop to open every in a queue file from given folder, and make the action? Now this works only for the one file, even if Photoshop is processing next file, with the right name, it's alwyas the same file, because first step in this whole action is to open specific file, not to open I mean import video as layers for any file in the folder. 

So please help community. 

Regards, 
Kamil. 

 
 
 
 
Act
 
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4 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 15, 2019

Did you try disabling or removing the open step from the action?

rangiz5Author
Participating Frequently
October 17, 2019

No, because I'm importing an MP4 video, which basically is a video of different focus points of the same object, without movement of the camera. A feature from Panasonic GH4.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Participant
February 23, 2023

rangiz5, did you find a solution?  I'm in the exact same position -- 250 short video clips, Import Frames to Layers for each one.  Would love to automate, but not finidng solution as of yet.  

Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 10, 2019

" because first step in this whole action is to open specific file, not to open I mean import video as layers for any file in the folder."

That is pain point. You have recorded step to open specific file which name is hard coded into action step. There are a couple of solutions for you depend on what exactly you want to do:

 

  • Record steps to open all files you need to process in a single action: record open file1 then what you need to do with file, then record step open file2 then steps to process that file and so on...
  • Second option is already sugested to you: do not record open step or delete it from your action and use, Image Processor Pro, Image Processor to apply action during batch process. Mentioned scripts will open and process all files inside selected folder so you do not need step Open which is making problem in your case.
  • Third solution is to turn modal for Open step on so you can navigate and open files one by one.
rangiz5Author
Participating Frequently
October 10, 2019

Bojan, I already have that done, but now as I mention above, I'm forced after finishing one file to choose next file, which I don't want to do. I need that this action will open next video file and run the action. Now It's not a solution, because I have about 120 video files with focus stacking, which need to be processed. 

Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 11, 2019
"Bojan, I already have that done" - what exactly you have done?
Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 10, 2019

Batch, Image Processor and the optional Image Processor Pro script do not require an open command in a referenced action, the whole idea is that these tools automatically open files. Note that the Batch command has an option to "override action open commands", however, I would simply disable or remove the open step from the action.

JJMack
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 9, 2019

Batch actions normally do not open files unless they are adding the same image to all the files being processed.  With Photoshop Image file are batched using  features like menu File>Automate>Batch and File>Scripts>Image Processor.    The Image files that are batch Processed are opened one at a times by Photoshop Batch  feature or Scripts like Image Processor  Like Batch Images Processor can include actions you supply in the the processing.

 

In you Action you can insert an Menu Item "File Open" instead of recording opening a particular file.  The Open step would open the Open File dialog it would be an interactive step not a  Batch process for your interaction is required. 

JJMack
rangiz5Author
Participating Frequently
October 9, 2019
JJMack- Thank You, but now I'm forced to choose a file when the last one is finished processing the given action. How to make so Photoshop will take in a queue, automatic all the files in specified folder?