Copy adjustment layer to another document in action for image processor

[kelvinproblem]

Hello! 

Trying to make an action that copies an adjustment layer to a different photoshop file using Image Processor.

I have a folder of several thousand images that need a masked curves adjustment. 

I have made the mask and curves adjustment layer in one document.

I made an action to drag and copy the curves adjustment layer with mask to another open document. It records the steps but does not seem to function properly to copy the adjustment layer between documents.  Running the image processor doesn't work.

I feel like I used to be able to save the curves adjustment layer and maybe the mask as well as a curve to load but can't find this as a workaround. 

Does anyone know how to achieve the desired result: a consistent masked adjustment layer on, say, 3000 images? I've uploaded a doc with the mask and curves adjustment layer. 

Much appreciated.

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

@kelvinproblem 

Such things are generally best proactively planned in advance, rather than being reactive.

In your action use the Select > Load Selection command to load the selection from the source document's active layer to the new document opened by Batch or Image Processor. You can then create a new curve adjustment layer in the action recording to use the selection as the mask.

You will either need to save the previous curve adjustment as a preset and load that preset into the new curve adjustment layer, or simply make the same curve adjustments in the recording.

Another alternative would be a scripted step in the action, which would duplicate the entire adjustment layer and mask from the first document to the second. A similar scripted approach would also be possible using Apply Image to copy the mask from one document to the other if they had the same pixel dimensions. The reason that a script would be needed for these alternative methods is that actions record explicit filenames as the target/destination, which will not be workable for a batch operation.

[r-bin · Accepted solution]

I can only theoretically suggest.

Select your adjustment layers and copy them into a new document.

You will get a file with only two adjustment layers and no pixel layers.

Save and close it.

For the files being processed, create such an action.

1. Create a layer and turn it into a smart object.

2. Replace the content with the saved psd file with the correction.

3. Convert the smart object into layers.

I can't check the last point, because my Photoshop can't do it.

But it seems that the new ones have everything in order with this.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

1. Create a layer and turn it into a smart object.

2. Replace the content with the saved psd file with the correction.

Just placing the file should suffice. 

As a last step Layer > Ungroup Layers or changing the Blend Mode of the Group to »Pass Through« might be necessary. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I made an action to drag and copy the curves adjustment layer with mask to another open document. It records the steps but does not seem to function properly to copy the adjustment layer between documents. 

Please post a screenshot of the fully expanded Action in the Actions Panel.