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PS3 script to batch rename layers

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Sometimes, I make copies of layers (for example: copy little diamonds to align into a shape of the letter M). Each time I "alt+drag" the content in that layer (to make a copy of it), PS makes a copy and then appends the name of the layer to something like "diamond copy 3". After making a ton of copies (and because I'm anal about having actual names for each layer), I want each layer to read "diamond". Instead of manually renaming all these layers, is there a way to highlight the affected layers and choose to rename all layers according to what you want?

Actions and scripting

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Anshul_SainiCorrect answer

Community Manager

Hi everyone,

For anyone who comes across this thread looking for a solution in a current version of Photoshop, there’s now a native option you can try: Layer Cleanup.

In the Layers panel, select the Layer Cleanup icon, then choose Rename layers. You can apply it to either the selected layers or the Entire document. Layer Cleanup can also delete empty layers so that both cleanup operations can be handled from the same dialog.
Cleanup layers dialog box in Adobe Photoshop on desktop with options to delete empty layers, rename layers, and apply changes to selected layers.

Unlike the scripts shared earlier in this thread, which primarily remove suffixes such as “copy” or “copy 3” from existing layer names, Layer Cleanup can assign descriptive names based on each layer's actual content. This can be especially useful when a document contains many duplicated or generically named layers.

If you’re using a current version of Photoshop, give Layer Cleanup a try and let us know how it works for your workflow.

Best,
Anshul Saini

Anshul_Saini

Correct answer

Community Manager

Hi everyone,

For anyone who comes across this thread looking for a solution in a current version of Photoshop, there’s now a native option you can try: Layer Cleanup.

In the Layers panel, select the Layer Cleanup icon, then choose Rename layers. You can apply it to either the selected layers or the Entire document. Layer Cleanup can also delete empty layers so that both cleanup operations can be handled from the same dialog.
Cleanup layers dialog box in Adobe Photoshop on desktop with options to delete empty layers, rename layers, and apply changes to selected layers.

Unlike the scripts shared earlier in this thread, which primarily remove suffixes such as “copy” or “copy 3” from existing layer names, Layer Cleanup can assign descriptive names based on each layer's actual content. This can be especially useful when a document contains many duplicated or generically named layers.

If you’re using a current version of Photoshop, give Layer Cleanup a try and let us know how it works for your workflow.

Best,
Anshul Saini

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J

Joe Seven

Inspiring

This is very handy, thanks for creating it.

Suggestion: It would be very helpful to be able to rename all your selected files in one shot, ie change 25 layers all named "shape 2" to "button".

Cheers,

J

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MarkWalsh

Inspiring

I made a quick rewrite to the renameLayer function. This should fix the problem with invisible layers. I ran the script on a large document just now, and it did take a while (although MUCH faster than would be manually, plus more accurate). It switches to the layer to rename it, and switches back to the original selected layer afterwards. I will rewrite it later to switch to the layer before renaming (hopefully that should solve that slowdown).

function renameLayer(objectRef) {
var theRegEx = new RegExp(/(\s*copy\s*\d*)+$/)

if (theRegEx.test(objectRef.name)) {
// save state of layer (visible or invisible)
var layerVisible = objectRef.visible
var indexNumber = 0
indexnumber = objectRef.name.indexOf(" copy")
objectRef.name = objectRef.name.substr(0,indexnumber)
objectRef.visible = layerVisible
}
return 0
}

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A

Anonymous

Hi Mark,

thanks for this, worked a treat and saved me a whole lot of 'fun' in removing copy from each layer.

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M

Mules 3d

Participant

Hello Mark,

Also thanks for sharing the script, very usefull. I'm trying to add something to the script so that only selected layers in the document where layers are selected are processed with your renameLayer function. But i can't seem to find the correct code to only get the selected layers and layers sets

from this document. Is this even possible to do ? I'm not an experienced coder myself but I can read your script (and write fairly basic scripts). I was trying to fill an array with the selected layer and layer-sets that needed to be renamed, but I even got stuck there.

Thanks,

Fred

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G

GagnonEric

Known Participant

I must say that in my scripts, i had quite a few problems to get around while working with layers! (and not all where solved!)

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MarkWalsh

Inspiring

It looks like changing the name of the layer makes it visible (unless it is the selected layer). I'll see if I can find the time to edit the script to activate each layer before it renames it. This should solve that problem. I'd also like it to restore the state of the layer sets that it opens to select each layer, and if I have it select each layer before renaming, then it should also end with the originally selected layer selected.

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G

GagnonEric

Known Participant

I have tested it.. it works like advertised (including layers in groups).

The script is fast on small sample but get quite slow on heavy documents ... so maybe my problem is more related to document size and maybe not worth investigating other scripting alternatives (but i'm pretty sure that on the same set your script would be faster).

The only bug i have found is that the script dont keep track of the visibility of layers. If a layer is invisible (when you do the renaming), the layer should be invisible when you are done with the processing.

That "problem" is also visible in a normal user interaction through the interface (select a layer make the layer visible). It's questionable in the user interface and a real problem with automation even if you record and set back the property. It must be clear to the users that if a script is crashing that document need to be reloaded!

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MarkWalsh

Inspiring

Yes, it will handle all layers in every layer set. (in every opened file)

If you have a lot of layers, it could take a while as it opens each layer set and scrolls through every layer. On the files I've used it on, it runs pretty speedy. I think it will also run much faster than an applescript.

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G

GagnonEric

Known Participant

Hi!

I will surely have a look at the script... Does it handle well hierarchical nested layers?

In my current project, i have some documents that are very heavy (by exemple more than 1000 layers!).

The automated renaming of around 300 layers in particular document is a process that take as much as 7 hours! (Applescript on a 1.8 G5 computer/4go ram).

It's not fully clear to me if it's the logic of the script/the scripting api speed or the heavy use of PSD document that is at fault..

If only i had more time for pluggin developpement! :)

Eric

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_Shandy_Elliott_Author

Participant

Thanks... works like a charm. This will save me a lot of time.

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MarkWalsh

Inspiring

Paste into a text program (notepad on PC, TextEdit on mac) and save into the 'Scripts' directory in the 'Presets' directory of your Photoshop application folder with a '.js' or '.jsx' extension (e.g. "RenameLayers.jsx").

To activate, select "Scripts" from the"File" menu and select the saved script.

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