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jarhtmd
jarhtmd
Known Participant
September 2, 2017
Answered

How to Turn On Layer's Eye in CS6 Action

  • September 2, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1479 views

I want to start with bottom layer and save a PNG file . . . then include the next layer up just above the bottom layer & save a PNG file . . . then include the next layer up . . . the next layer up . . . etc . . . until all layers have been included.  I want to save as many PNG files as I have layers.

I can manually do that, but it tedious.

I have 2 problems that I don't know how to handle in an action . . .

  1. How do I select (turn on eye) of a layer?
  2. How do name the PNG files w/o overwriting the last? I would like to supply a "standard" name that will add suffix (1), (2), etc automatically or stop the action and let me correct the "standard" name.

I think an action to save a PNG & and turn on eye for above layer would serve my needs.  Then I could simply click to run the action as many times as needed.

Here's what I do manually.

  • Turn OFF Eye of all layers EXCEPT bottom layer
  • File > Save As                        Ctrl/Shift/S
    • Save in :          Choose destination (this will be made standard)
    • File name:       Shot1
    • Format:           PNG
    • Save
  • Turn ON Eye of layer immediately above last saved as PNG
    • File > Save As                        Ctrl/Shift/S
      • § Save in :          Choose destination  (this will be made standard)
      • § File name:       Shots1-2 (then Shots1-3, Shots1-4 . . . Shots1-n)
      • § Format:           PNG
      • Save
  • Repeat selecting next level up thru top level.
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer angie_taylor

Have you tried using Layer comps for this? Each stage could be saved as a layer comp, then these can be exported as individual files?

Photoshop layer comps

Hope this helps,

Angie Taylor | http://www.creativecabin.co.uk

3 replies

angie_taylor
angie_taylorCorrect answer
Legend
September 2, 2017

Have you tried using Layer comps for this? Each stage could be saved as a layer comp, then these can be exported as individual files?

Photoshop layer comps

Hope this helps,

Angie Taylor | http://www.creativecabin.co.uk

    jarhtmd
    jarhtmdAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 3, 2017

    Thank you, Angie, for the Layer Comps suggestion.  Although the creation of the individual Layer Comps can't be automated (for the reasons that caused me to start this thread), Layer Comps seems to do exactly what I want.

      angie_taylor
      angie_taylor
      Legend
      September 3, 2017

      Glad to be able to help :-)

      meredithb8081254
      meredithb8081254
      Participating Frequently
      September 2, 2017

      One thing you mentioned was wanting to have the names be sequential and not lose the previous version. You can make sure to have selected:  As A Copy in the save options when creating the action. This will create the sequence naming for you.

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 2, 2017

      Saving multiple files in an action is also a problem area in Actions. The filename would be recorded into the save steps and  overlay existing files.  The Action will always save the same files.  To do what you want to do will require scripting Photoshop it you want an automated process.

      JJMack
      meredithb8081254
      meredithb8081254
      Participating Frequently
      September 2, 2017

      What if it is a Save As step versus a Save step? The Save As would allow for the Save As Copy.

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 2, 2017

      You would need to script that. An Action could only do that if all document had the same layer stack and layer names.  The Layers would need to be selected by names and the names would be recorded in the actions steps.  The Photoshop shortcut keys to select layers relatively only selects visible layers.  If you select a visible layer relatively and then turn off the current layer visibility than select an visible layers you will not be able to select the layer you turn off its visibility again in the action unless you select it by name in the action. It is a pitfall that is easy to fall into creating actions.

      JJMack
      jarhtmd
      jarhtmdAuthor
      Known Participant
      September 2, 2017

      JJMack, thanks for your quick reply.  However, I don't fully understand.  I don't want to turn off visibility of any layer; only to turn on visibility of the layer above.  If scripts are the only solution, I guess I'm out of luck because that's "above my pay grade".

      I don't think I explained my objective clearly.  Just to restate . . .

      ( ) Layer 2

      (*) Layer 1      visible & active

      Play Action which will SaveAs the visible layer(1) to PNG & make the next layer up (2) visible too  & active.

      (*) Layer 2     visible & active

      (*) Layer 1      visible

      If necessary I will play the action multiple times, moving up 1 layer each time, depending on the number of layers.

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 2, 2017

      If there are a different number of layers  and different layer namses in your documents you will need to script it your process.

      If all the documents have the same number of layers and the same layer names in the same stacking order you can create an action. The action has to select layer by the names if the layer visibility is off to start with.  The Action would also save the same files every time it is played for the name will be recorded in the save as steps.

      Crafting Actions Package UPDATED Aug 10, 2014 Added Conditional Action steps to Action Palette Tips.
      Contains

      Example
      Download

      JJMack
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