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Inspiring
Jul 20, 2026 6:23 PM UTC
Answered

How do you find layer kind for Grain in scripting?

app.activeLayer.kind returns an error for Grain adjustment layers, is here anyway to return a value for them? Is it detectable with AM? Currently, just using a try catch to return undefined.

activeDocument.activeLayer
------------------------
1) allLocked=false
2) blendMode=BlendMode.NORMAL
3) bounds=0 px,0 px,13754 px,7760 px
4) boundsNoEffects=0 px,0 px,13754 px,7760 px
5) fillOpacity=100
6) filterMaskDensity=100
7) filterMaskFeather=0
8) grouped=false
9) id=7002
10) isBackgroundLayer=false
11) itemIndex=12
12) kind= Internal error
13) layerMaskDensity=100
14) layerMaskFeather=0
15) linkedLayers=
16) name=Grain 1
17) opacity=100
18) parent=[LayerSet Effects]
19) pixelsLocked=false
20) positionLocked=false
21) textItem= Layer is not a text layer.
22) transparentPixelsLocked=false
23) typename=ArtLayer
24) vectorMaskDensity=100
25) vectorMaskFeather=0
26) visible=true
27) xmpMetadata=[XMP Metadata]

 

Stephen Marsh
Stephen MarshCorrect answer
Community Expert
Jul 21, 2026 12:56 AM UTC
stringIDToTypeID( "grainAdjustment" );

 

As in:

 

var idMk = charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " );
    var desc6296 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
        var ref316 = new ActionReference();
        var idcontentLayer = stringIDToTypeID( "contentLayer" );
        ref316.putClass( idcontentLayer );
    desc6296.putReference( idnull, ref316 );
    var idUsng = charIDToTypeID( "Usng" );
        var desc6297 = new ActionDescriptor();
        var idType = charIDToTypeID( "Type" );
        var idgrainAdjustment = stringIDToTypeID( "grainAdjustment" );
        desc6297.putClass( idType, idgrainAdjustment );
    var idcontentLayer = stringIDToTypeID( "contentLayer" );
    desc6296.putObject( idUsng, idcontentLayer, desc6297 );
executeAction( idMk, desc6296, DialogModes.NO );

 

Edit: Here's something useful…

 

if (isGrainAdjustmentLayer()) {
    alert("True");
} else {
    alert("False");
}

function isGrainAdjustmentLayer() {
    try {
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
        ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
        return typeIDToStringID(executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment")).getObjectType(0)) === "grainAdjustment";
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}


/*
function isGrainAdjustmentLayer() {
    try {
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        function getLayerProperty(property) {
            var ref = new ActionReference();
            ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t(property));
            ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
            return executeActionGet(ref);
        }
        // Must be an adjustment layer
        if (getLayerProperty("layerKind").getInteger(s2t("layerKind")) !== 2) {
            return false;
        }
        return typeIDToStringID(getLayerProperty("adjustment").getList(s2t("adjustment")).getObjectType(0)) === "grainAdjustment";
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}
*/

 

View reply

4 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Aug 13, 2026 12:35 PM UTC

Some new ones…

 

Check/test for active layer = Clarity and Dehaze adjustment layer

if (isClarityAdjustmentLayer()) {
    alert("True");
} else {
    alert("False");
}

function isClarityAdjustmentLayer() {
    try {
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
        ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
        return typeIDToStringID(executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment")).getObjectType(0)) === "clarity";
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}

 

Check/test for active layer = Vibrance (classic/legacy) adjustment layer

if (isVibranceAdjustmentLayer()) {
    alert("True");
} else {
    alert("False");
}

function isVibranceAdjustmentLayer() {
    try {
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
        ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
        var adjustmentList = executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment"));

        if (typeIDToStringID(adjustmentList.getObjectType(0)) !== "vibrance") {
            return false;
        }

        // Plain/legacy Vibrance layers are created from a bare class reference,
        // so they never carry a "useLegacy" key. Color and Vibrance layers do
        // (regardless of whether Legacy mode is toggled on or off).
        var adjustmentDesc = adjustmentList.getObjectValue(0);
        return !adjustmentDesc.hasKey(s2t("useLegacy"));
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}

 

Check/test for active layer = Color and Vibrance adjustment layer

/*
https://community.adobe.com/questions-712/how-do-you-find-layer-kind-for-grain-in-scripting-1632968?postid=7711043#post7711043
*/

if (isColorAndVibranceAdjustmentLayer()) {
    alert("True");
} else {
    alert("False");
}

function isColorAndVibranceAdjustmentLayer() {
    try {
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
        ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
        var adjustmentList = executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment"));

        if (typeIDToStringID(adjustmentList.getObjectType(0)) !== "vibrance") {
            return false;
        }

        // Color and Vibrance layers are created with a "Type" object that
        // carries a "useLegacy" key (true or false). Plain/legacy Vibrance
        // layers are created from a bare class reference and never have it.
        var adjustmentDesc = adjustmentList.getObjectValue(0);
        return adjustmentDesc.hasKey(s2t("useLegacy"));
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}

 

Translate
    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 17, 2026 3:03 AM UTC

    New code to check for the new "Light" adjustment layer (which specifically looks for the differences between the old Brightness and Contrast adjustment layer).

    /*
    Check Test for Light Adjustment Layer.jsx
    Stephen Marsh
    Based on:
    https://community.adobe.com/questions-712/how-do-you-find-layer-kind-for-grain-in-scripting-1632968?postid=7711043#post7711043
    */

    if (isLightAdjustmentLayer()) {
        alert("True");
    } else {
        alert("False");
    }

    function isLightAdjustmentLayer() {
        try {
            var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
            var ref = new ActionReference();
            ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
            ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
            var adjustmentList = executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment"));

            // "Light" is built on the Brightness/Contrast adjustment class ("BrgC" / "brightnessEvent")
            if (typeIDToStringID(adjustmentList.getObjectType(0)) !== "brightnessEvent") {
                return false;
            }

            // Distinguish the new simplified "Light" mode from a classic Brightness/Contrast layer
            var adjustmentDesc = adjustmentList.getObjectValue(0);
            var idBrightnessMode = s2t("brightnessMode");
            if (!adjustmentDesc.hasKey(idBrightnessMode)) {
                return false;
            }
            return typeIDToStringID(adjustmentDesc.getEnumerationValue(idBrightnessMode)) === "brightnessModeLight";
        } catch (e) {
            return false;
        }
    }

     

    While this code checks for the classic Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer:

     

    /*
    Check Test for Brightness-Contrast Adjustment Layer.jsx
    Stephen Marsh
    Based on:
    https://community.adobe.com/questions-712/how-do-you-find-layer-kind-for-grain-in-scripting-1632968?postid=7711043#post7711043
    */

    if (isBrightnessContrastAdjustmentLayer()) {
        alert("True");
    } else {
        alert("False");
    }

    function isBrightnessContrastAdjustmentLayer() {
        try {
            var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
            var ref = new ActionReference();
            ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
            ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
            var adjustmentList = executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment"));

            // Both classic Brightness/Contrast and the new "Light" adjustment
            // are built on the same class ("BrgC" / "brightnessEvent")
            if (typeIDToStringID(adjustmentList.getObjectType(0)) !== "brightnessEvent") {
                return false;
            }

            // Distinguish classic Brightness/Contrast from the new simplified "Light" mode
            var adjustmentDesc = adjustmentList.getObjectValue(0);
            var idBrightnessMode = s2t("brightnessMode");

            // Classic B/C layers typically don't carry a brightnessMode key at all.
            // If the key is missing, treat it as classic Brightness/Contrast.
            if (!adjustmentDesc.hasKey(idBrightnessMode)) {
                return true;
            }

            // If the key IS present, it's classic only if it's not set to "brightnessModeLight"
            return typeIDToStringID(adjustmentDesc.getEnumerationValue(idBrightnessMode)) !== "brightnessModeLight";
        } catch (e) {
            return false;
        }
    }

     

    Translate
      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      Jul 21, 2026 12:56 AM UTC
      stringIDToTypeID( "grainAdjustment" );

       

      As in:

       

      var idMk = charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " );
          var desc6296 = new ActionDescriptor();
          var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
              var ref316 = new ActionReference();
              var idcontentLayer = stringIDToTypeID( "contentLayer" );
              ref316.putClass( idcontentLayer );
          desc6296.putReference( idnull, ref316 );
          var idUsng = charIDToTypeID( "Usng" );
              var desc6297 = new ActionDescriptor();
              var idType = charIDToTypeID( "Type" );
              var idgrainAdjustment = stringIDToTypeID( "grainAdjustment" );
              desc6297.putClass( idType, idgrainAdjustment );
          var idcontentLayer = stringIDToTypeID( "contentLayer" );
          desc6296.putObject( idUsng, idcontentLayer, desc6297 );
      executeAction( idMk, desc6296, DialogModes.NO );

       

      Edit: Here's something useful…

       

      if (isGrainAdjustmentLayer()) {
          alert("True");
      } else {
          alert("False");
      }

      function isGrainAdjustmentLayer() {
          try {
              var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
              var ref = new ActionReference();
              ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t("adjustment"));
              ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
              return typeIDToStringID(executeActionGet(ref).getList(s2t("adjustment")).getObjectType(0)) === "grainAdjustment";
          } catch (e) {
              return false;
          }
      }


      /*
      function isGrainAdjustmentLayer() {
          try {
              var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
              function getLayerProperty(property) {
                  var ref = new ActionReference();
                  ref.putProperty(s2t("property"), s2t(property));
                  ref.putEnumerated(s2t("layer"), s2t("ordinal"), s2t("targetEnum"));
                  return executeActionGet(ref);
              }
              // Must be an adjustment layer
              if (getLayerProperty("layerKind").getInteger(s2t("layerKind")) !== 2) {
                  return false;
              }
              return typeIDToStringID(getLayerProperty("adjustment").getList(s2t("adjustment")).getObjectType(0)) === "grainAdjustment";
          } catch (e) {
              return false;
          }
      }
      */

       

      Translate
        Stephen Marsh
        Community Expert
        Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        Jul 21, 2026 12:56 AM UTC
        /*
        https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-check-layer-kind-using-javascript/m-p/13174707
        */

        s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        (r = new ActionReference()).putProperty(s2t('property'), p = s2t('layerKind'));
        r.putEnumerated(s2t('layer'), s2t('ordinal'), s2t('targetEnum'));
        var layerKind = executeActionGet(r).getInteger(p);

        if (layerKind == 0) {
            alert("kAnySheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 1) {
            alert("kPixelSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 2) {
            s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
            (r = new ActionReference()).putProperty(s2t('property'), p = s2t('adjustment'));
            r.putEnumerated(s2t('layer'), s2t('ordinal'), s2t('targetEnum'));
            alert("kAdjustmentSheet: " + typeIDToStringID(executeActionGet(r).getList(p).getObjectType(0)));
        }
        else if (layerKind == 3) {
            alert("kTextSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 4) {
            alert("kVectorSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 5) {
            alert("kSmartObjectSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 6) {
            alert("kVideoSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 7) {
            alert("kLayerGroupSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 8) {
            alert("k3DSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 9) {
            alert("kGradientSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 10) {
            alert("kPatternSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 11) {
            alert("kSolidColorSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 12) {
            alert("kBackgroundSheet");
        }
        else if (layerKind == 13) {
            alert("kHiddenSectionBounder");
        }
        else {
            alert("Why am I seeing this message?!");
        }

         

        Translate
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