Correct Sequence to create Actions for batching images in Mockup .psd file

[Pixel Lake]

Happy Saturday, All!

I'm still a newbie in PS - and especially so with utilizing Actions to expedite the mundane routine of repetitive batching of images..

I've purchased a Mockup File for my art prints - and up until now, I've been individually placing my art print, resizing my art print to fit within the allocated canvas, and saving .png files of my art prints with their respective Mockup backgrounds. I'm trying to figure out how to create an Actions Sequence for these Mockup Files I've purchased (I have several) and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. 

As the video I've attached illustrates, the example of this mockup file has two layers: 1.) A Smart Object Layer which I need to add my art print into, and 2.) The Background image. 

My process has been as follows:

*First, I have the Mockup File Open

* Create New Set

*Add Action

*Double click Smart Object Layer to Add Image

*Drag Image into Smart Object layer

*Confirm Placement

*Transform to fit Canvas

*Save Changes

*I then go into the Main Project and Flatten Image

*File > Save As > Set Format to .png and select the destination

*Close Project

From here I go to File > Automate > Batch...

*I select the folder which has all of my art prints to incorporate in the mockup

*I select the destination folder where I'f like these mockups to live

When I click ok, I get notification saying "The Command 'Edit Contents' is not currently available. If I click continue, the main .psd project closes - and the smart object file remains. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I'd love to figure out how to make this happen while avoiding another monthly subscription haha..

Thanks everyone!!

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

The batch command opens each file one by one and runs the action. Do you now see the problem with your approach?

Take a look at the action steps and the recorded parameters.

The action is recorded around the template, not the individual art files.

[Pixel Lake]

It's great to hear from you again, Stephen - thank you for taking the time.

I believe I understand your observation.

Do you have any suggestions how I might be able to achieve what I'm looking to do? I'm hopeful that what I want to do is possible - I'm just unsure how to go about it with this specific mockup template I purchased..

[Stephen_A_Marsh · Accepted solution]

If you are going to use an action and the batch command, you have to do things opposite. The batch command will open each art image and play the action. So the action would need to add the template content to the art image, then arrange and size the art image for the template.

This is something that is generally scripted to work the way that you require, it is beyond actions and batch.

A generic script from the late JJMack here:

https://github.com/MarshySwamp/JJMack-Archive

'

https://github.com/MarshySwamp/JJMack-Archive/blob/main/PhotoCollageToolkit.zip

https://web.archive.org/web/20210419210422/http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/PhotoCollageToolkit.ht...

You can either use one of the scripts with Mockup in their name, which work with smart object replacement... Or you can use one of the Collage templates that don't use smart objects and rely on an a white on black alpha channel named "Image 1" etc. to automatically size and place the images. In all cases, you will need to ensure that your template matches the specific "rules" for use as documented in the last link above.

There are other scripts:

https://github.com/joonaspaakko/Batch-Mockup-Smart-Object-Replacement-photoshop-script

You can also search these forums for keywords such as "mockup" or "smart object replacement" or similar. We have had many topics over the years, mostly in relation to phone cases and T-shirts, and many different scripts have been offered to help automate such tasks.

It will all come down to how the template PSD is created and the variable nature of your source art images (orientation, aspect ratio, pixel width/height, resolution PPI value etc).

[Pixel Lake]

Wow - this is everything I could ever ask for. Thank you Stephen!

I'm going to dig into all of this soon so I can make this happen. 

I truly appreciate it!!

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

You're welcome, the forum is always here to help with specifics if needed.