Action to use relative path of file

Question

Is there any way I can set this sort of thing up in an action?

I curently use a simple generic action to flatten, save and close the file I am working on, an it simply overwrites the file in is current location. All good.

But not I want a similar Action to be able to save the same file (after resizing) file in a different folder, which will always be up one level, and I need trhis to work no matter what file for whatever client I am working on.

For instance, part of my base client folder structure is as follows:

c:\client name\Finished Files

c:\client name\Cropped Files

where "client name" is the name of the client

So when I have a file open in Finished Files, and I hit my curent action, it simple saves overt eh original file in the same place. But I would like to be able to save a rezed version in the other directory, which will always be there for all my client directory structures.

If I create an action to save in the Cropped Files directory, then the path the that clients Cropped Files will always be used. How can I make the action to work relative to the client directory structure?

Thank in advance

Stephen Marsh · Accepted Answer

@Liberty & Lace

Try recording the execution of this script as the JPEG Save As (Copy) step in your action to save to the “Cropped” folder in the active client folder:

/*
JPEG Save As a Copy to Named Directory using Relative Path.jsx
Stephen Marsh
v1.0 - 7th December 2024
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/action-to-use-relative-path-of-file/td-p/15023267
*/

#target photoshop;

if (app.documents.length) {

    // Check and cancel the script if the bit depth is 32 bpc
    if (app.activeDocument.bitsPerChannel == BitsPerChannelType.THIRTYTWO) {
        throw alert("Script cancelled!\rThe image mode is 32 bpc, tone mapping to 8 or 16 bpc is required before continuing.");
    }

    // Doc name and save path variables
    var theDocName = app.activeDocument.name.replace(/\.[^\.]+$/, '');
    var relParentPath = app.activeDocument.path.parent.fsName;
    var targetDir = "Cropped"; // Change as required for other relative paths
    var relTargetDir = new Folder(relParentPath + "/" + targetDir);
    var theFilePath = new File(relTargetDir + "/" + theDocName + ".jpg");

    // Check for and create the target directory if it doesn't exist
    if (!relTargetDir.exists) {
        relTargetDir.create();
    }

    // JPEG options
    var jpgSaveOptions = new JPEGSaveOptions();
    jpgSaveOptions.embedColorProfile = true;
    jpgSaveOptions.formatOptions = FormatOptions.STANDARDBASELINE;
    jpgSaveOptions.matte = MatteType.NONE;
    jpgSaveOptions.quality = 12;

    // Overwrite check (comment out or remove this block for silent use in an action)
    if (theFilePath.exists) {
        // true = 'No' as default active button
        if (!confirm("File exists, overwrite: Yes or No?", true))
            // throw alert("Script cancelled!");
            throw null;
    }

    // Save As a Copy (use false for Save As)
    app.activeDocument.saveAs(theFilePath, jpgSaveOptions, true, Extension.LOWERCASE);

} else {
    alert("You must have a document open to use this script!");
}

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

Stephen Marsh · Answer

Actions always record absolute paths from the local machine recording the action.

You either override the recorded save when using Batch/Droplets – or you use a script instead, which can work with paths without the limitations of actions.

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