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Can a script change visibility on a mask?

Guy Burns
Engaged ,
Jul 04, 2009 Jul 04, 2009

QUES 1

I may require a script to perform a certain function. One thing it will have to do is to paste a mask into the channel layer of a Smart filter. i.e. When a Smart filter is created, an additional channel layer associated with the Smart filter is also created to house any mask that is applied. That channel is created with visibility turned off. To paste into that channel layer, the visibility has to be turned on, the mask pasted in, and the visibility turned off again.

I'm not asking how to do it, but whether it is a straighforward job to do such a thing in a script.

QUES 2

In terms of getting help from this forum, does it matter if I use Applescript or Javascript? Which do most people use? Do script writers specialise in one or the other?

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Actions and scripting
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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Michael_L_Hale
Guru , Jul 04, 2009 Jul 04, 2009

The Action Manager is a way to deal with some things that can not be done with normal scripting. Details are in the javascript guide. You can use the scriptlistner plugin that ships with Photoshop to create code from things you do in Photoshop. You do not use actions. For example below is a javascript function that makes the channel mask active and shows the mask

function selectLayerMask(){
  var rc = false;
  try {
    var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.pu
...
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replies 36 Replies 36
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jugenjury
Engaged ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_

I've been trying to figure out how to zoom to a specified level using an Action but can't seem to figure out how other than using the add menuitem and being stuck with the 3 preset levels of "Fit on Screen", "Actual Pixels", and "Print Size" with the last usually being the same as "Actual Pixels" depending on your document settings for dpi.

I needed to use a script/action combination in order to zoom to other percentage values. If there is a way with just actions, please let me know.

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Reynolds__Mark_
Guide ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To jugenjury

No zooming and view percentages are not actionable, never have been. Why do you NEED to record zooming?

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jugenjury
Engaged ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_

The WHY of it isn't important. During my workflow, I have need to go to various zoom levels depending on where I am in the workflow.

I don't do skin retouching at "Fit on Screen" or even "Actual Pixels". I'm usually at 300% for that. When I do curves adjustments, I'm not going to do it at 300%. I'd rather be able to see the whole image. When I do a color enhancement, it's usually at 50%.

Not sure what it matters for the why, though. But there you have it. I had a problem that I couldn't figure out using actions alone. And it's really a simple task....linear also. For each setup, I have a specific zoom level I want to be at. No if/then conditionals. No variables. Just one simple task.

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Reynolds__Mark_
Guide ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To jugenjury

jugenjury - this thread is getting completey off topic Why don't you start a new one?

I think generally interface changes and view percentages are seen as too superficial for Actions. You need to learn your keyboard shortcuts, and new features like birds eye view.

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jugenjury
Engaged ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_

Reynolds (Mark) wrote:

jugenjury - this thread is getting completey off topic Why don't you start a new one?

I think generally interface changes and view percentages are seen as too superficial for Actions. You need to learn your keyboard shortcuts, and new features like birds eye view.

You are the one who took it off topic and you are the one who asked the question about what simple, linear task would you ever need a script for. You put it out there like a challenge. Now you want to push that under the rug. Fine by me. Just don't try to convince everyone that actions can accomplish any simple, linear task you would ever need to do in Photoshop.

It isn't superficial in the least. I know my keyboard shortcuts. The purpose of actions is to automate the process of setting things up for you. If I wanted to use all keyboard shortcuts, why bother with half the actions I use? I'm sure you use actions for tasks for which you could use keyboard shortcuts. Kinda defeats the purpose, don't you think? Or is it only superficial because there is(are) no action(s) that can accomplish this?

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Reynolds__Mark_
Guide ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To jugenjury

Sigh - ignoring the abuse - Michael L Kale has just given you the answer, I was hoping you would start a new thread anyway. Loading menu commands is possible from the Actions drop down menu - "Insert menu item…" - the three that he suggested will do it

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jugenjury
Engaged ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_

Reynolds (Mark) wrote:

Sigh - ignoring the abuse - Michael L Kale has just given you the answer, I was hoping you would start a new thread anyway. Loading menu commands is possible from the Actions drop down menu - "Insert menu item…" - the three that he suggested will do it

Don't play the victim here. And he gave a partial answer. You want me to start a new thread, I'll do that. I'd like to see how you answer.

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Reynolds__Mark_
Guide ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To jugenjury

It's the complete answer unless you want ridiculous zoom percentages. The defaults are set that way for a reason.

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jugenjury
Engaged ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
LATEST
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_

Reynolds (Mark) wrote:

It's the complete answer unless you want ridiculous zoom percentages. The defaults are set that way for a reason.

Nice of you to edit your reply. Shall I play the victim now? Your original post, which was sent out in email:

"Its the complete answer you  idiot"

--------------------------------------------------------------
This  message was sent to: jugenjury

To post a reply to the thread message,  either reply to this email or visit the message page: http://forums.adobe.com/message/2100280#2100280

Why are they ridiculous? Because you only use the defaults and can think of no reason to use anything else? Or because you can't figure out how to do it? Just so you know, I did figure it out within an hour of when I posted the other thread. I'm just waiting to see what you come up with.

Yep, I'm an idiot and I also play one on the interwebz.

Have a wonderful night.

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Michael_L_Hale
Guru ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To jugenjury

If you make a 3 step action where you insert menu item View-Actual Pixels followed by inserting menu item View-Zoom in twice you will now have an 'view 300% action. Do the same but replace zoom in with zoom out and you now have a 'view 50%' action.

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xbytor2
Advisor ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To Reynolds__Mark_
No thats not possible, and I gave the answer in post 6 - what he wants is easy to achieve with an Action.

He has an existing script to which he is adding this additional functionality. Yes, he could implement these steps as an action and call it from the parent script, but that may not be the best solution. Inlining the action as javascript means you just have a script to manage and distribute instead of a script and an atn file. It also means you only have one resource to checkin to CVS or subversion.

If anyone can provide me with examples where they can find a linear process in Photoshop is not Actionable, (multiple document juggling, liquify, excepted obviously) then I'm up for the challenge!

I've posted a few in this thread.

To be honest I think we are all on the same page, if that's the general view here these days.

It is. I've turned down work by telling people that they'd be better of learning how to use actions instead of hiring me to script a solution.

-X

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Reynolds__Mark_
Guide ,
Jul 10, 2009 Jul 10, 2009
In Response To xbytor2
I've turned down work by telling people that they'd be better of learning how to use actions instead of hiring me to script a solution.

Pass them onto me, if they need Photoshop help - I charge $40 an hour

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