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Chimli Retouch & Motion
Known Participant
November 1, 2023
Question

Save to Lightroom from Photoshop as action

  • November 1, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1417 views

Hi!

 

When I open files from Lightroom to Photoshop, I am able to save them back to Lightroom again, with cmd+S. I want to do this in an action, to save all open files to the original folder back to Lightroom. 

 

A workaround is to use cmd+shift+w to close all files and choose save in the checkbox, but I would like the files to stay opened in Photoshop. I've tried Image Processor but it doesn't do it the way I want. 

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

arambasil
Participating Frequently
November 2, 2023

Unfortunately, Photoshop actions can't directly save files back to Lightroom. Instead, follow these steps:

  1. Import images into Lightroom.
  2. Right-click and "Edit in Adobe Photoshop."
  3. Edit in Photoshop.
  4. Use "Save" or "Save As" in Photoshop.
  5. Changes will automatically appear in Lightroom.

No need for an action.

Chimli Retouch & Motion
Known Participant
November 28, 2023

Yes, I love this and I want to be able to do this on many open files in an action. If I do your steps 1-3, then I will play an action on 20 open images. I don't want to have to go to every file manually and save, I want all the files to be saved in an action, since if Photoshop crashes, my files with all my layers are already saved. 

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 28, 2023

At the risk of repeating myself, a simple 1 step action with the Save command inserted (use the action panel to insert menu item) can be run on all open files via the Batch command. This takes multiple steps but is simple enough for most users.

 

A script (such as posted previously) can also do the same in a single run.

D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 2, 2023

Just so we're clear: Photoshop doesn't save "back" to Lightroom. It just saves to disk. The files aren't "in" Lightroom. This is a common misunderstanding.

 

The reason it appears in the Lightroom catalog is that a background script tracks the file and adds it to the catalog.

 

For this to work, Lightroom has to remain open during the save process. 

 

I can't see how an additional script can make any difference one way or the other here. This is just a perfectly normal "Save" from Photoshop. At default settings, this will save back to the original folder the file came from. 

 

If Lightroom isn't open, it won't be visible in the catalog and you need to import it later.

Chimli Retouch & Motion
Known Participant
November 2, 2023

Thank's for the clarification, it makes sense 🙂 

 

It works perfect when I save each image at a time, using the normal save. However, I would love to be able to save all open images with this normal save in a batch but I can't find the way to do this. 

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 2, 2023

@Chimli Retouch & Motion 

 

The action method or the script method both use the standard save command.

 

Have you tried the updated script?

 

Have you tried inserting the menu item in the action instead of recording the save?

 

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 1, 2023

@Chimli Retouch & Motion 

 

One option is a simple 1 step action, where you insert the menu item for Save.

 

Then File > Automate > Batch with the source being open files.

 

Otherwise, a custom script would be required – such as:

 

/*
Save all open docs.jsx
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/save-to-lightroom-from-photoshop-as-action/td-p/14201903
*/

#target photoshop

var currentDoc = activeDocument;
for (var i = 0; i < app.documents.length; i++) {
    activeDocument = app.documents[i];
    activeDocument.save();
}
activeDocument = currentDoc;

alert("Script completed!");

 

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

 

Chimli Retouch & Motion
Known Participant
November 1, 2023

I've tried that but the problem is that the specific destination is recorded instead of just 'original folder'. I want the action to work for images in other folders aswell. 

 

I've tried the script but the files are not saved. Whats the script doing? Thank's for the help!

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 1, 2023

@Chimli Retouch & Motion wrote:

I've tried that but the problem is that the specific destination is recorded instead of just 'original folder'.


 

Please note that I specifically wrote to insert the menu item for save, not record the menu item. Use the option menu in the Action panel to insert.

 

 

 

The script worked for me if the files contained edits that required a save. I tested before posting the script... But I don't use Lightroom.