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The goal is to place all the individual portraits on one page and automatically add each student's name beneath their photo, utilizing the filenames as the source for the names, all without engaging in complex scripting or coding.
By @Adi1231234
This needs scripting, but it doesn't have to be complex. You can use the built-in Contact Sheet II script:
The "Filename as Caption" will include the filename extension (.jpg or .psd etc). The default script could be altered or you can create an action using find/replace text to remove the extension and then use Batch to run the action over all open contact sheet documents.
P.S. You may also find the following topic of interest:
I think that you misunderstood. There is no need to learn scripting in order to make use of these scripts.
Download the JJMack script archive that I posted previously – JJMacksPhotoCollageToolkit.
Then you will have access to a premade script:
BatchMultiImageCollage.jsx
Your template file must follow the four rules:
- Size the photo collage templates for the print size you want - width, height and print DPI resolution.
- Photo collage templates must have a Photoshop background layer. The contents of this layer can be anything.
- Photo collage templates must have alpha channels named "Image 1", "Image 2", ... "Image n". These map your images Location Position, Shape and size.
- Photo collage templates layers above the background layers must provide transparent areas to let the images that will be placed below them show through.
I'm on the lookout for a potential script adjustment or a script feature I might have missed that could exclude the file extension from the names displayed.
This is trivial with or without scripting.
Moreover, the process required by the script to create sequentially named alpha channels (e.g., "Image 1", "Image 2", etc.) within the template, while essential, introduces a significant level of complexity and manual preparation that feels somewhat cumbersome for my workflow
This only has to happen once, it is indeed a requirement of the template as the alpha channels are used to size and place each image. If you already have frames then it is easy to load them as a selection and create the alpha channel with the appropriate name. I can write a script to rename all alphas from Alpha 1, Alpha 2 etc. to Image 1, Image 2 etc.
From memory, the late JJMack didn't like the the place command/smart objects or the frame tool for automation.
The ability to automatically adjust and align images to predefined frame sizes and positions, a key feature when manually dragging images into frames in Photoshop, is not addressed by the script
This is what the alpha channels and layer masks created by the script achieve, just differently.
In grappling with these issues, it's becoming clear to me that devising a custom script tailored specifically to meet my unique needs, especially concerning the precise alignment and automatic adjustment of images within frames, may be the most viable path forward.
That's the issue. You have specific requirements. You either have to adapt your workflow to existing scripts and supplemental tools to achieve the same end or a custom script and or supplemental tools will be required, which isn't trivial.
P.S. You haven't commented on the suggestion to look into Photoshop Variables (Data Driven Graphics) which is the other non-scripting approach.
If you create a template with frames, populate it with the images you can use a relatively simple script to add the names as Type Layers.
// add type layer with smart objects’ names;
// 2024, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
// set to pixels;
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
// process;
var theSO = collectSmartObjectsBounds ();
for (var m = 0; m < theSO.length; m++) {
var thisOne = theSO[m];
addTypeLayer (thisOne[0], [thisOne[2][0]+(thisOne[2][2]-thisOne[2][0])/2, thisOne[2][3]+35])
};
// reset;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
};
////// add type layer //////
function addTypeLayer (theString, theArray) {
var thisLayer = activeDocument.artLayers.add();
thisLayer.kind = LayerKind.TEXT;
thisLayer.name = theString;
var thisLayerRef = thisLayer.textItem;
thisLayerRef.kind = TextType.POINTTEXT;
thisLayerRef.size = 8;
thisLayerRef.font = "Arial-Bold";
var theColor = new SolidColor();
theColor.rgb.red = 0;
theColor.rgb.green = 0;
theColor.rgb.blue = 0;
thisLayerRef.color = theColor;
thisLayerRef.justification = Justification.CENTER;
thisLayerRef.position = theArray;
thisLayer.blendMode = BlendMode.NORMAL;
thisLayer.opacity = 100;
thisLayer.fillOpacity = 100;
thisLayerRef.useAutoLeading = true;
//thisLayerRef.leading = 0;
thisLayerRef.horizontalScale = 100;
thisLayerRef.verticalScale = 100;
thisLayerRef.contents = theString;
return app.activeDocument.activeLayer
};
////// collect smart objects, probably based on code by paul, mike or x //////
function collectSmartObjectsBounds () {
// the file;
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
// get number of layers;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Dcmn"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var applicationDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
var theNumber = applicationDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("numberOfLayers"));
// process the layers;
var theLayers = new Array;
for (var m = 0; m <= theNumber; m++) {
try {
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), m);
var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
var layerSet = typeIDToStringID(layerDesc.getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID("layerSection")));
var isBackground = layerDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID("background"));
// if not layer group collect values;
if (layerSet != "layerSectionEnd" && layerSet != "layerSectionStart" && isBackground != true) {
var theName = layerDesc.getString(stringIDToTypeID('name'));
var theID = layerDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID('layerID'));
if(layerDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID('smartObject'))) {
var soDesc = layerDesc.getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID('smartObject'));
var theFileRef = soDesc.getString(stringIDToTypeID('fileReference'));
var theDocID = soDesc.getString(stringIDToTypeID('documentID'));
var isLinked = soDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID('linked'));
if (isLinked == true) {
var isMissing = soDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID('linkMissing'));
var isChanged = soDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID('linkChanged'));
var thePath = soDesc.getPath(stringIDToTypeID('link'));
} else {
var isMissing = undefined;
var isChanged = undefined;
var thePath = undefined
};
/*var x = soDesc.getList(stringIDToTypeID("compsList"));
var theCompsList = soDesc.getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID("compsList"));
if (theCompsList.count > 2) {
var theCompsList = theCompsList.getList(stringIDToTypeID("compList"));
var theSOComps = new Array;
for (var n = 0; n < theCompsList.count; n++) {
var thisOne = theCompsList.getObjectValue(n);
var compName = thisOne.getString(stringIDToTypeID("name"));
var compID = thisOne.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("ID"));
var theComment = thisOne.getString(stringIDToTypeID("comment"));
theSOComps.push([compName, compID, theComment]);
};
theLayers.push([theName, theID, theFileRef, theDocID])
theLayers.push([theName, theID, theFileRef, theDocID, theSOComps])
};*/
var theBounds = layerDesc.getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID("bounds"));
var theseBounds = [theBounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("left")), theBounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("top")), theBounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("right")), theBounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("bottom"))];
var theWidth = theseBounds[2] - theseBounds[0];
var theHeight = theseBounds[3] - theseBounds[1];
var theCenter = [theseBounds[0]+theWidth/2, theseBounds[1]+theHeight/2];
theLayers.push([theName, theID, theseBounds, theWidth, theHeight, theCenter, isLinked, isMissing, isChanged, thePath, theFileRef, theDocID])
}
}
}
catch (e) {};
};
return theLayers
};
////// based on code by mike hale, via paul riggott //////
function selectLayerByID(id,add){
add = undefined ? add = false:add
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), id);
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
desc.putReference(charIDToTypeID("null"), ref );
if(add) desc.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifier" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifierType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "addToSelection" ) );
desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( "MkVs" ), false );
try{
executeAction(charIDToTypeID("slct"), desc, DialogModes.NO );
}catch(e){
alert(e.message);
}
};
Thank you for sharing your script with me. I appreciate your effort to help streamline my workflow. The script you've provided is interesting and focuses on creating text layers for naming Smart Objects in Photoshop, which is indeed a useful function.
However, my primary goal is slightly different. I am looking for a way to automatically insert individual student portraits into predefined frames within a Photoshop document and then automatically add each student's name, taken from the photo filenames, beneath their respective photo. This process involves both the placement and scaling of images within frames and the generation of text layers for the names.
The challenge I'm facing is how to automate the arrangement of these photos and their corresponding names in a template, to minimize manual work as much as possible. Your script gives me some ideas on handling text layers, but I'm still in need of a solution that can also automatically place and fit the images into the frames.
Do you have any insights, or could you suggest modifications to your script that might address these specific needs? I'm looking for a streamlined approach that combines both image placement and text labeling in an automated fashion.
Thank you again for your contribution and looking forward to any further advice you might have
By @Adi1231234
Once you have set up a template with Frames (for example) a Script to populate those with images need not be too complex, depending on what you want to achieve.
// fill frames in duplicate/s of active document with selected images;
// 2024, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
var theFiles = selectFile (true);
var myDocument = activeDocument;
var theCount = 0;
var thePages = 1;
var theCopy = myDocument.duplicate("file"+thePages, false);
var theFrames = collectFrames ();
for (var m = theFiles.length-1; m >= 0; m--) {
fillFrame (theFrames[theCount][2], theFiles[m]);
theCount++;
if (theCount == theFrames.length) {
theCount = 0;
thePages++;
activeDocument = myDocument;
var theCopy = myDocument.duplicate("file"+thePages, false);
var theFrames = collectFrames ();
}
};
};
////// frame //////
function fillFrame (theFrame, theFile) {
selectLayerByID(theFrame,false);
var idpixelsUnit = stringIDToTypeID( "pixelsUnit" );
var idplaceEvent = stringIDToTypeID( "placeEvent" );
var idlayer = stringIDToTypeID( "layer" );
var idoffset = stringIDToTypeID( "offset" );
var desc7 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc7.putInteger( stringIDToTypeID( "ID" ), theFrame );
desc7.putPath( stringIDToTypeID( "null" ), new File( theFile ) );
desc7.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "freeTransformCenterState" ), stringIDToTypeID( "quadCenterState" ), stringIDToTypeID( "QCSAverage" ) );
var desc8 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc8.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "horizontal" ), idpixelsUnit, 0.000000 );
desc8.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "vertical" ), idpixelsUnit, 0.000000 );
desc7.putObject( idoffset, idoffset, desc8 );
/*var desc9 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref1 = new ActionReference();
ref1.putIdentifier( idlayer, 4 );
desc9.putReference( stringIDToTypeID( "from" ), ref1 );
var ref2 = new ActionReference();
ref2.putIdentifier( idlayer, 34 );
desc9.putReference( stringIDToTypeID( "to" ), ref2 );
desc7.putObject( stringIDToTypeID( "replaceLayer" ), idplaceEvent, desc9 );*/
executeAction( idplaceEvent, desc7, DialogModes.NO );
};
////// select file //////
function selectFile (multi) {
if (multi == true) {var theString = "please select files"}
else {var theString = "please select one file"};
if ($.os.search(/windows/i) != -1) {var theFiles = File.openDialog (theString, '*.jpg;*.tif;*.psd;*.png', multi)}
else {var theFiles = File.openDialog (theString, getFiles, multi)};
////// filter files for mac //////
function getFiles (theFile) {
if (theFile.name.match(/\.(jpg|tif|psd|png)$/i) || theFile.constructor.name == "Folder") {
return true
};
};
return theFiles
};
////// collect layers //////
function collectFrames () {
// get number of layers;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID('property'), stringIDToTypeID('numberOfLayers'));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Dcmn"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var applicationDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
var theNumber = applicationDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("numberOfLayers"));
// process the layers;
var theLayers = new Array;
for (var m = 0; m <= theNumber; m++) {
try {
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), m);
var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
//checkDesc2 (layerDesc, true);
var layerSet = typeIDToStringID(layerDesc.getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID("layerSection")));
var isBackground = layerDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID("background"));
// if group collect values;
if (layerSet != "layerSectionEnd" /*&& layerSet != "layerSectionStart" && isBackground != true*/) {
var theName = layerDesc.getString(stringIDToTypeID('name'));
var hasFrame = layerDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("framedGroup"));
var theID = layerDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID('layerID'));
var theIndex = layerDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID('itemIndex'));
var theColor = typeIDToStringID(layerDesc.getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID("color")));
if (layerSet == "layerSectionStart" && hasFrame == true) {
theLayers.push([theName, theIndex, theID, theColor])
};
};
}
catch (e) {};
};
return theLayers
};
////// based on code by michael l hale //////
function checkDesc2 (theDesc, theAlert) {
var c = theDesc.count;
var str = '';
for(var i=0;i<c;i++){ //enumerate descriptor's keys
str = str + 'Key '+i+' = '+typeIDToStringID(theDesc.getKey(i))+': '+theDesc.getType(theDesc.getKey(i))+'\n'+getValues (theDesc, i)+'\n';
};
if (theAlert == true) {alert("desc\n\n"+str);
return};
return str
};
////// check //////
function getValues (theDesc, theNumber) {
switch (theDesc.getType(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))) {
case DescValueType.ALIASTYPE:
return theDesc.getPath(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.BOOLEANTYPE:
return theDesc.getBoolean(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.CLASSTYPE:
return theDesc.getClass(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.DOUBLETYPE:
return theDesc.getDouble(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.ENUMERATEDTYPE:
return (typeIDToStringID(theDesc.getEnumerationValue(theDesc.getKey(theNumber)))+"_"+typeIDToStringID(theDesc.getEnumerationType(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))));
break;
case DescValueType.INTEGERTYPE:
return theDesc.getInteger(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.LISTTYPE:
return theDesc.getList(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.OBJECTTYPE:
return (theDesc.getObjectValue(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))+"_"+typeIDToStringID(theDesc.getObjectType(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))));
break;
case DescValueType.RAWTYPE:
return theDesc.getReference(theDesc.getData(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.REFERENCETYPE:
return theDesc.getReference(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.STRINGTYPE:
return theDesc.getString(theDesc.getKey(theNumber));
break;
case DescValueType.UNITDOUBLE:
return (theDesc.getUnitDoubleValue(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))+"_"+typeIDToStringID(theDesc.getUnitDoubleType(theDesc.getKey(theNumber))));
break;
default:
break;
};
};
////// based on code by mike hale, via paul riggott //////
function selectLayerByID(id,add){
add = undefined ? add = false:add
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), id);
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
desc.putReference(charIDToTypeID("null"), ref );
if(add) desc.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifier" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifierType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "addToSelection" ) );
desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( "MkVs" ), false );
try{
executeAction(charIDToTypeID("slct"), desc, DialogModes.NO );
}catch(e){
alert(e.message);
}
};
////// duplicate layer and move, rotate and scale it //////
function duplicateMoveRotateScale (theID, theX, theY, theScaleX, theScaleY, theRotation, theSkew, theDuplicate) {
selectLayerByID(theID,false);
try{
var idTrnf = charIDToTypeID( "Trnf" );
var desc10 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
var ref6 = new ActionReference();
ref6.putIdentifier( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), theID );
ref6.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" ) );
desc10.putReference( idnull, ref6 );
var idFTcs = charIDToTypeID( "FTcs" );
var idQCSt = charIDToTypeID( "QCSt" );
var idQcsa = charIDToTypeID( "Qcsa" );
desc10.putEnumerated( idFTcs, idQCSt, idQcsa );
var idOfst = charIDToTypeID( "Ofst" );
var desc11 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idHrzn = charIDToTypeID( "Hrzn" );
var idPxl = charIDToTypeID( "#Pxl" );
desc11.putUnitDouble( idHrzn, idPxl, theX );
var idVrtc = charIDToTypeID( "Vrtc" );
var idPxl = charIDToTypeID( "#Pxl" );
desc11.putUnitDouble( idVrtc, idPxl, theY );
var idOfst = charIDToTypeID( "Ofst" );
desc10.putObject( idOfst, idOfst, desc11 );
var idWdth = charIDToTypeID( "Wdth" );
var idPrc = charIDToTypeID( "#Prc" );
desc10.putUnitDouble( idWdth, idPrc, theScaleX );
var idHght = charIDToTypeID( "Hght" );
var idPrc = charIDToTypeID( "#Prc" );
desc10.putUnitDouble( idHght, idPrc, theScaleY );
var idAngl = charIDToTypeID( "Angl" );
var idAng = charIDToTypeID( "#Ang" );
desc10.putUnitDouble( idAngl, idAng, theRotation );
var idskew = stringIDToTypeID( "skew" );
var desc358 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idhorizontal = stringIDToTypeID( "horizontal" );
var idangleUnit = stringIDToTypeID( "angleUnit" );
desc358.putUnitDouble( idhorizontal, idangleUnit, theSkew );
var idvertical = stringIDToTypeID( "vertical" );
var idangleUnit = stringIDToTypeID( "angleUnit" );
desc358.putUnitDouble( idvertical, idangleUnit, 0.000000 );
var idpaint = stringIDToTypeID( "paint" );
desc10.putObject( idskew, idpaint, desc358 );
var idIntr = charIDToTypeID( "Intr" );
var idIntp = charIDToTypeID( "Intp" );
var idbicubicAutomatic = stringIDToTypeID( "bicubicAutomatic" );
desc10.putEnumerated( idIntr, idIntp, idbicubicAutomatic );
var idCpy = charIDToTypeID( "Cpy " );
desc10.putBoolean( idCpy, theDuplicate );
executeAction( idTrnf, desc10, DialogModes.NO );
} catch (e) {}
};
////// get active layer’s id //////
function getLayerId () {
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty (stringIDToTypeID ("property"), stringIDToTypeID ("layerID"));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
return executeActionGet(ref).getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("layerID"));
};
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