Help change script from Alpha Channel to Photoshop path

[gifted_hope15A8]

Hello, I've put together this script that will set the clipping path of a selection to Alpha Channel, convert path to frame, and delete the contents.

for (i=0; i<app.selection.length; i++)

{

try {

app.selection.images[0].clippingPath.clippingType = ClippingPathType.ALPHA_CHANNEL;

} catch (e)

{

// not interested if there is none

}

}

for (i=0; i<app.selection.length; i++)

{

try {

mySel = app.selection

mySel.graphics[0].clippingPath.convertToFrame();

mySel.graphics[0].remove();

} catch (e)

{

// not interested if there is none

}

}

I need to change this to use the Photoshop Path method instead, with a Path Name of "Path 1", but I'm not sure how to do that, can anyone help?

Also, is there a way to specify the clipping path options, specifically "include inside edges" and tolerance/threshold values through script?

Thank you!

[-hans-]

Hi,

it should be simply:

aImageReference.clippingPath.appliedPathName = 'Path 1';

"include inside edges" and tolerance/threshold values -> Valid only when clipping type is alpha channel or detect edges.

[gifted_hope15A8]

Thanks for your reply. So I would replace 'ALPHA_CHANNEL' with 'PHOTOSHOP_PATH'. This line of code you sent, where does this fit into my code listed above?

Also, I need to work with both Alpha and PS Paths, so I do need to include inside edges. How can I add that?

[-hans-]

Hi,

it's not quite clear what your workflow should look like.

So here are just the two examples of how to handle a Photoshoppath (currently on) and alphachannel (currently off).

Assume a image selected:

var currSel = app.selection[0];
(currSel instanceof Image) ? processPath(currSel) : alert('Selection is not a picture.');
//(currSel instanceof Image) ? processAlpha(currSel) : alert('Selection is not a picture.');
//Process a photoshoppath
function processPath(aImageRef)
{
    pathNames = aImageRef.clippingPath.photoshopPathNames;
    pl = pathNames.length;
    while(pl--)
    {
      if  (pathNames[pl] == 'Path 1')
      {
          aImageRef.clippingPath.appliedPathName = 'Path 1';
          alert('Applied Photoshoppath Path 1');
          exit();
          }
        }
            }
    //process a alphachannel
    function processAlpha(aImageRef)
{
    //there may be zero to ++ alphachannels, just choosed the first here
var alphaChannelName =  aImageRef.clippingPath.alphaChannelPathNames[0];
(alphaChannelName != undefined) ? setAlphaChannel(aImageRef, alphaChannelName) : alert('No Alphachannel avaiable.'); exit();
        }
    //apply settings for alphaChannel
    function setAlphaChannel(aImageRef, alphaChannelName)
    {
       with (aImageRef.clippingPath)
       {
appliedPathName = alphaChannelName;
includeInsideEdges = true;
threshold     = 30; //number (range: 0 - 255)
tolerance    = 3 ; //number (range: 0 - 10)
restrictToFrame = true;
invertPath = false;
insetFrame = '5 pt';
}
alert('Applied Alphachannel: ' + alphaChannelName);
exit();
}

Happy scripting

Hans-Gerd Claßen

[gifted_hope15A8]

Thank you for the help, I tried using this script and I got the message 'selection is not a picture'.

I made a sample layout of what I'm trying to do. I need to be able to select both pictures at the same time, run the script and get the result shown below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u3oxbqcpfnkp0n3/sample.indd

The script I posted at the top does everything I need, except it does not include the inside edges.

[-hans-]

Hi,

my example code expects a image to be selected ... not a graphic frame.

If you spend a bit of your time inspecting it, you'll see that you've got everything to solve your issue either using alpha channel or photoshop path.

Give it a try!

P.S. One tipp: Guess you can forget about the alphachannel as the images have got a photoshop path, which is more accurate -> results would be better.