InDesign Script - export to PSD layer

[larsm86237786]

Hi all,

Does anyone know where below mentioned sript can be found: zenodesign.com/scripts/PagestoPSLayers.zip

I had it installed but disappeared after the last update.

It enables users to export an INDD document to a layered PSD file - amazing!

Thanks!!

[rob day]

Hi @larsm86237786 , You can get the latest Applescript and Javascript versions here:

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/11873033-f682-4425-68bd-239afeda1e0f

The javascript is the most recent version—see this thread for more info. I have not tested the Applescript version beyond CC2020 on Mojave:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-layers-to-photoshop-js-version/td-p/114...

[Jean-Claude Tremblay]

You can also find another here made by Luis Felipe Corullón
https://corullon.com.br/scripts/product/indesign-to-photoshop-layers-pro/

[Anita5CB1]

The script is very helpful. But I can only see 1 page in Photoshop even though all the objects of multiple pages are present. I am surely missing something, but I can't figure it out. 

[rob day]

Hi @Anita5CB1 , The script will only export a single page at a time.

[cyclopsdx]

Neither of the recommended scripts are now working on ID v19 onwards, which is really, really annoying. Not only did InDesign remove the script on a previous update but whatever they've now done to the code prevents the scripts from running successfully. Adobe need to either offer this as a tool in the software (which has been requested for years) or at least stop messing with their updates so that we're prevented from making our workflow easier.

[Jean-Claude Tremblay]

The script by Luis Felipe Corullón is working. Just test it with ID19.5 and PS25.11.
I’m on a Mac. 

You said: «...Neither of the recommended scripts are now working on ID v19». Did you get an error message of any kind?

[cyclopsdx]

No, not working for me. Initially had a Error 48. Luis sent me an update. Now getting an Error 45. Am currently communicating with Luis.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@cyclopsdx 

Script to copy Layers to/from Photoshop was never part of InDesign's instalation.

What scripts and what errors?  We are not mind readers so you need to be a bit more specific.

[cyclopsdx]

Don't have to be a mind reader. The scripts recommended in this thread.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Don't have to be a mind reader. The scripts recommended in this thread.

By @cyclopsdx

Without screenshots of the errors... 

[rob day]

Hi @cyclopsdx , I moved the link to my JavaScript to Dropbox when Adobe discontinued their file syncing service. Here is the Dropbox link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fgl2b67v7iuyu701twgc9/h?rlkey=gygixac74tr4mp9l87oa2l1a9&dl=0

I’ve done limited testing with CC2024 on MacOS Ventura, and it should work—I use it in production with CC2021.

[cyclopsdx]

Many thanks, Rob. That's what I'd been using. I just deleted the old version and added the new one you sent a link to. Just installed it and I'm getting an error when running (see screen shot) but it still seems to crunch its way through and finish the task. Thankfully, as I'm on a deadline to get assets out!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Many thanks, Rob. That's what I'd been using. I just deleted the old version and added the new one you sent a link to. Just installed it and I'm getting an error when running (see screen shot) but it still seems to crunch its way through and finish the task. Thankfully, as I'm on a deadline to get assets out!

By @cyclopsdx

Message says that it can't execute action and place AI file as there is a problem with this file? 

[cyclopsdx]

It's a fairly complex file - multiple layers, psds, .ai files, etc., so something is awry. Other files are running fine and I've tested the file on local, server, and desktop, but still getting the same issue. I'm going to try and find the time to simplify it and test layers later but all dependant upon work schedules. I have more complex projects that I tested last night using @rob day 's latest link and they worked fine. Unfortunately I can't share the file publically due to the confidentiality of the project.

[rob day]

It's a fairly complex file - multiple layers, psds, .ai files, etc., so something is awry.

The complexity of the layout shouldn’t matter, because the Photoshop layers are constructed from individual exported PDFs of the InDesign layers—if one of the exports fail you would get an error.

[rob day]

In the Dropbox link there is a sample InDesign file does it work if you test that file? What version of Photoshop are you running?

[rob day]

Also, is the InDesign file on a server or a local volume? It might be permissions problem. Does it work if you move the InDesign file you are testing to your Desktop?

[cyclopsdx]

Yes, tested that and it worked fine. I'm running both the latest versions of ID and PS. Made sure I was up to date, just in case there was a conflict issue.

[rob day]

Without seeing the file my guess would be the file or layer naming is the problem. Maybe try renaming the ID file making sure there are no special characters?

Also, make sure you can Export the ID file to the PDF preset you are choosing in the script dialog without any errors

[Laubender]

Hi Rob,

I wonder if it would help to redirect all action to an older version of PhotoShop.

This should be possible when e.g. PhotoShop 2022 or 2023 is already running before executing the script from InDesign. Just tested your sample with a combination of InDesign 2024 v 19.5.0 and PhotoShop 2022 version 23.5.5 on macOS. No issue found so far.

EDITED:

The ai files were written correctly to a temp folder in my user folder.

No. Not true. They were written successfully to a temp folder in the private folder.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

EDITED POST

[Laubender]

Hi Rob,

also tested with a combination of:

InDesign 2024 v 19.5.0 and PhotoShop 2023 v 24.7.4

InDesign 2024 v 19.5.0 and PhotoShop 2024 v 25.11.0

No issues so far.

PDF-Export preset was default [PDF/X-4:2008].

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[rob day]

Hi Uwe, thanks for testing. I'm seeing the same.

There's no error handling for a case where the PDF export of a layer fails, so that might be a problem.

[wewright]

I've run into errors using Indesign 2025 (v20.0.0.95) and Photoshop 2025 (v26.0.0)

• Error: General Photoshop error occurred. This functionality may not be available in this version of Photoshop. - The command "Get" is not currently available.. Indesign Layer was not Saved

This occurs after the first layer.

HOWEVER, the combination of Indesign 2024 (v19.5.0.84) and the same Photoshop 2025 (v26.0.0) works perfectly.

(This is with the IDtoPSv6 layers.scpt on both versions of Indesign.)

 

[leo.r]

Try the JavaScript version instead (there's a link earlier in this thread). The AppleScript version is probably still using the legacy HFS paths (although it's just a guess; I don't have the script).