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ancientartwork
Known Participant
January 8, 2025
Question

Action, layers to file, saving on top of each other problem.

  • January 8, 2025
  • 9 replies
  • 439 views

Action, layers to file, saving on top of each other problem.

I have hundreds of images, as png. Each image has 4 images. I divide them with a nice action as 4 different layers. I save with Layers to file, no problem here. When I run the action manually, there is no problem again. Although each image has a different name, it adds 1-2-3-4 to the end of the name of each image, although the 4 images in each image are separate.
The image processor or batch saves the images on top of each other.
The names of all the images are different, pay attention here. What is the problem?
I tried a few scripts but I couldn't find a solution. 

I've been really struggling with this for 2 days, I've tried everything I can think of. I downloaded a script, wrote it myself, but strangely enough it didn't work. 🙂 I deleted the scs out of anger. Oh I'm having a nervous breakdown. 🙂 Please help me.

I'm also getting a png 24 printout from here. There's no data loss, right? 

9 replies

Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 9, 2025

If you still have problems, try using Image Processor Pro. Record actions to save each individual layer. Run a batch process and check the option to add a number, suffix, or prefix when exporting if you have layers with the same name. I haven't tested it, but it may work.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 8, 2025

Forget Actions and Batch. Just use the script that I suggested. 

ancientartwork
Known Participant
January 8, 2025

Thank you for your support. Sc didn't work because every time I run the action I have to press the location entry selection arrow button with the mouse, unfortunately.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 8, 2025

@ancientartwork 

 

The Export Layers to Files script is not intended for recording into an action for running via Batch.

 

If you are recording the Export Layers to Files script into an action, then please show that action step expanded and the panel wide enough to view all recorded content.

 

Use the script that I mentioned earlier, which is intended to batch process multiple files+layers.

 

ancientartwork
Known Participant
January 8, 2025

To see the action in action.

We are making 4 different cuts, since the image is an example, it seems like there is no cut in the layer due to the size difference, it works fine at the right scale.

 

We add the output to the action and everything works fine.
However, when I select bulk operations, each image produced is written on top of each other.
This does not happen when I take the images one by one and run the action.



ancientartwork
Known Participant
January 8, 2025

1 image is imported.

With the action:
with the shortcut m, it is divided into 4 different images and the background is deleted.

the save part is exported to layers to file: output is taken, when you run the action with different images, it saves them separately.

However, when you run the action with the image processor or batch, it saves the images on top of each other.

Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 8, 2025

It would be helpful to see a screenshot of the script dialogue for batch processing.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 8, 2025
quote

I save with Layers to file, no problem here.


By @ancientartwork

 

Please explain exactly what you do, step-by-step.

 

I don't know if you are referring to the File > Export > Layers to Files script, or something else.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 8, 2025

It would be helpful to see a screenshot of the action with the save step expanded, and also a screenshot of the batch settings.

 

Anyway, I think that you would get a faster result using something specifically designed to batch-process files and layers (presuming multi-layered files):

 

https://www.marspremedia.com/software/photoshop/save-layers

 

As you are working with PNG, the script might need minor modification to play your action to create the layers on each opened file (otherwise batch pre-process the PNG files with the action to first create the layers and save as PSD, then process the PSD files with the script).