avoid overwriting when saving/exporting from an action

[getho]

I have an action that saves a backup of my exported images into a folder (so I have one folder that contains every single photo I export).

Nearly all my photos have unique names, but I've just realised that my drone photos - which currently do not - are overwriting themselves.

Is there a way to get the action to not do this?  ie to add a number just like exporting from lightroom does to avoid overwriting?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

That would need a Script.

Photoshop Scripting

Progressive Save As New Jpeg

[PECourtejoie]

Hello, I would use bridge to batch rename and the image processor in Bridge to batch your actions.

Run tasks from Tools menu, batch rename files, and auto-stack HDR and panorama images

Process a batch of Photoshop files

[Trevor.Dennis]

If you make Save As the last line in your Action, it will save to whichever folder you selected when you made the Action. i.e. as a new file not overwriting the original which would be in a different folder.

If you use Photoshop tools in your action that would prevent the file saving as a JPG, then make the penultimate line in your Action Flatten Image,  The files will then save as JPGs.  When you have completed your batch run, move the files from the 'Save As' folder to a permanent location to keep things tidy, and free up the Save As folder for the next batch run.

[getho]

I want to avoid extra steps in my workflow. The files are being saved as I said in the OP, to one folder which contains everything. That's how I want it. The files are also saved to folders which get moved to the project folder for that job, and to a dropbox.  Yes I could just copy and paste the files into one final backup folder, but If I was organised enough to do remember to do that every time, I wouldn't have tried to automate it, or be posting this

It's frustrating that PS doesn't have the sense to not overwrite files.  I'll have to try to work out if I can run a script from an action

BLERG!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Scripts can be run from Actions.

[SuperMerlin]

Yes you can, as part of your action, from the action fly-out panel select Insert Menu Item... then File - Scripts - select your script.

That's all you need to do.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Of course the script needs to fit your needs concerning save location and how to handle the existence of files of the same name in that location (amend name, overwrite, ask …).

[JJMack]

If you use Photoshop script Image Processor to backup your images instead of your action.  It would add a File name serial suffix  not overlay existing file images in your backup folders.

[getho]

rather than spending a day getting my head round scripting, I just amended my lightroom output name preset to include DDMMYY. Making it vanishingly unlikely that ii'll ever have 2 identical files.  Just like me: its not pretty, but it's functional