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Participant
February 13, 2025
Question

How to automate fixing 600 png files?

  • February 13, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 201 views

Hi!
I have an image sequence with 600 png file where I want to optimize each png to decrease their filesizes. 
Thought I could use automation and run a function macro (their called so in the swedish version think they are called actions in english). 
The optimization I want to use is in the "export for web" dialogue to change from png24 to png8. It works fine when I do it manually.
Then I record the macro (action) doing the export for web routine and run it with a group automation from one folder whith the original files into a new empty folder. But then I get the save as dialouge for each and every image. Not fun having to do this 600 times.  I have tried with the "ignore save as" option on/off in the settings for the automation but it doesn´t help. 
Also tried the image process script but it wont do png files. Sigh...
What am I doing wrong here? 
Thanks in advance for any input regarding this!


4 replies

Participant
February 14, 2025

Thanks everyone for helping out. I found the problem and i am sitting here with egg on my face. 
It turned out the problem was that I hade the little window symbols on the action/macro activated in the macro list. I did not know these forces the dialouge popup to open. Turned them off and then the macro chewed through the 600 png:s like a charm.
Lesson learned and sorry for taking your time.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2025
quote

The optimization I want to use is in the "export for web" dialogue to change from png24 to png8.


By @Torbjörn32134929cyv0

 

For completeness, it's also possible to record an action using Image > Mode > Indexed Color and File > Save As to PNG and then use File > Automate > Batch.

creative explorer
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2025

@Torbjörn32134929cyv0 I tried doing this, and it worked both times for me. Please see the attached video with no sound (PNG24-2-PNG8.mp4 — 2 minute video) as I create an action for one image. And then did a 'Batch' Automation for 19 images for a 9-10 seconds I think. 

And if you want a voice-over, I do this with my students: https://youtu.be/kxziDfysBbs (6.34 minutes)

m