AfterEffects: Batch Renaming imported psd files to exclude the psd file name.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

Hi all, I had a search for this topic but could not find what I'm looking for. If there is already a thread on this topic please feel free to point me to it.

When I import psd layers into AfterEffects, the layer name comes first, followed by a backslash and then the .psd file name. This adds a lot of clutter to my project media. Is there a way to batch rename these files to exclude the .psd file name after the backslash? (e.g. testLayer/PSDprojectfiles_ready.psd)?

Thanks.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

The Project panel will always show you layer-name/psd-filename.psd.

In the Comp Timeline you can click Layer Name / Source Name at the top of the layer stack to switch back and forth between seeing just the layer name (with no filename) and the source name (which includes the filename).

And that's pretty much it.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

Hi Warren. Thanks for your reply. I think there may be some confusion here. When I drag an imported psd layer down into the composition, and click the Source Name/ Layer Name button at the top of the layer stack, the /PSDprojectfiles_ready.psd project name does not disappear from the layer name. Instead, the entire layer name is put in brackets [ ].

Any idea why that might be?

Report · Jul 18, 2019

Ok I think I've discovered what you meant about the Source Name/ Layer Name button at the top of the layer stack, BUT that only works after I've renamed the layer in the layer stack once I've dragged it into the composition from the project media folder.

That still means I must individually rename each layer after I've dragged it down. What I'm looking for is a way to batch-rename the layers in the project media folder before dragging them down into the comp. I can already do this individually so I'm not sure why you said the project panel will always show the layer-name/psd-filename.psd.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

If you import a bunch of individual PSD files or a PSD with a bunch of layers as a composition, you'll get a bunch of files in the Project panel that you have to rename. If you import a bunch of images as a sequence you will only get one file in the project panel because a sequence is a movie and that's one file. You can rename that in the Project Panel. For example:

I'm right in the middle of renaming a PSD image sequence in the Project Panel, just below that a composition created from a PSD file that has 5 layers, below that a PNG image sequence that has already been renamed.

If you are importing layered PSD files and you want to keep them organized then name the layers in Photoshop. As you pointed out the layer name will be first and it will look like this if you named the layers or changed the name by editing the original:

I've never found the Photoshop File Name to be annoying. The PSD was quickly thrown together for an example. I always try and name my layers.

When working in the timeline you can switch between layer name, which is unique to the timeline, and Source Name, which will echo the layer name in the Project Panel.

I don't know of any script that has the ability to strip off everything behind the /. I'm not sure it is even possible because every batch file renaming system I know of will not allow you to keep everything in a layer name before the / and delete the rest. I've never seen one that was that smart. If you do rename a layer all you have to do is expand the Project panel or scroll across until you find the File Path column. That cannot be renamed and always gives you a reference to the original file.

I hope some of this helps. Keeping things organized starts in step 1, naming things in Photoshop, it doesn't start with trying to organize things after the fact.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

I assumed that you're importing your layered PSD file as a Composition where AE assigns the AE Layer Name based on the PS Layer Name.

If you drag and drop source footage that's a layer inside a PS file to a new Comp, then you'll see what you're seeing, the same thing for both Layer Name (with brackets) and Source Name.

Sorry about that.

For what you're doing, will importing as a Comp work?

Another approach could be to use File > Export > Layers to Files... on the Photoshop side. You can include the filename as a prefix that way or exclude it entirely.

Report · Jul 18, 2019

Perhaps this might help:

https://aescripts.com/ae-global-renamer/

It works on project panel items, amongst many others, and I think you should be able to set up a suitable regex expression to do what you want.