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Hugh Betcha
Hugh Betcha
Legend
February 12, 2021
Answered

Batch File removal of background color

  • February 12, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 2033 views

I feel like I'm going crazy  - I have a bunch (like hundreds) of files like this - I want to make an action to remove the pink colored background of the tiff, and save it with a transparent background.

 

I tried several actions, which work one at a time, but not as a batch!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Hugh Betcha

I think I discovered my own answer (thanks so much to the two people who responded though!);

 

I think the issue was that the TIFFs I had had a 'background' layer that was, by default, locked.

 

When I tried to 'unlock' that layer via the action - it didn't work, but if I duplicated the locked layer (which by default is UNlocked), I could delete the original (locked) layer, then use the magic want to delete the pink I didn't want.

3 replies

Hugh Betcha
Hugh BetchaAuthorCorrect answer
Legend
February 16, 2021

I think I discovered my own answer (thanks so much to the two people who responded though!);

 

I think the issue was that the TIFFs I had had a 'background' layer that was, by default, locked.

 

When I tried to 'unlock' that layer via the action - it didn't work, but if I duplicated the locked layer (which by default is UNlocked), I could delete the original (locked) layer, then use the magic want to delete the pink I didn't want.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2021

If you want to batch it more efficiently:

  • Select the background layer
  • Use the Layer > New > Layer from Background menu.
David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
Hugh Betcha
Hugh BetchaAuthor
Legend
February 26, 2021

Okay, I'll try that - thanks

 

JJMack
Community Expert
JJMackCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 12, 2021

If all of you image files only contain a background Layer either Action  may work, There are no open steps to be override and you could add a save as.  The add layer mask step in REMOVE PINK3 should convert the Background Layer to a normal layer so a layer masks can be added.  So you would most likely want to add the save As step  to save a PSD or PNG file to preserve the transparency.   

 

However, if any of your source image file are layered. I do not like either of your Actions for they do not start off  targeting the bottom layer.    Also the magic wand step in REMOVE PINK3 tolerance 0 may be better with a higher  value and the positioning I would like to see closer Pixel  X 0  Y 0.  That would also be  same for  action  REMOVE PINK2 its setting are not visible.

JJMack
    J
    jazz-y
    Legend
    February 12, 2021

    1. uncheck "override action "Open" commands"

    2. add "save as" command in action if you want to use option "override action "save as" commands", or uncheck and use "save and close" to overwrite source files, or "folder" to save files in another folder

     

    and try again.

     

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