Find part of the folder name and convert it to a smart object

[Delta2487]

Thanks for the help.

[Stephen_A_Marsh · Accepted solution]

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@Delta2487 wrote:

Can anyone help me? I want to convert folders that match the first two search characters into smart objects.

For example:

search criteria: "A:" or "a:", "S.", "N."

Thanks for the help.

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Try this code, it will search over all root/top-level layers or groups for names beginning with "A" or "S" or "N" (case insensitive) followed by ":" or "." – it can be easily changed to only work on layer groups if you need it more specific.

/*
Convert Specific Named Layers to Embedded Smart Objects.jsx
Stephen Marsh
v1.0 - 22nd November 2024
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/find-part-of-the-folder-name-and-convert-it-to-a-smart-object/m-p/14996056
*/

#target photoshop;

try {

    app.activeDocument.suspendHistory("Specific Layers to Embedded Smart Objects...", "main()");

    function main() {

        if (app.documents.length > 0) {

            var doc = app.activeDocument;
            var layers = doc.layers;

            // Select the top layer if no layer is selected, no change if layer is selected, current visibility is honoured
            // by r-bin
            try {
                activeDocument.activeLayer.link(activeDocument.activeLayer);
            } catch (e) { }

            for (var i = 0; i < layers.length; i++) {

                var layer = layers[i];

                // Check if the active layer starts with "A" or "S" or "N" followed by ":" or "." (case insensitive)
                // if (/^(A:|a:|S:|s:|N:|n:|A\.|a\.|S\.|s\.|N\.|n\.)/.test(layer.name)) {
                if (/^[ASN][:.]/i.test(layer.name)) {

                    // Save the label color
                    var labelColor = getLayerColor(layer);

                    // Select the layer and convert to an embedded smart object
                    doc.activeLayer = layer;
                    convertLayerToSmartObject();

                    // Reapply the label color
                    setLayerColor(doc.activeLayer, labelColor);
                }
            }

            app.beep();
            //alert("Script completed!");

        } else {
            alert("No active document.");
        }

    }

} catch (err) {
    alert("Main Script Error!" + "\r" + err + "\r" + 'Line: ' + err.line);
}


// Helper functions
function getLayerColor(layer) {
    try {
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("color"));
        ref.putIdentifier(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), layer.id);
        var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
        return desc.getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID("color"));
    } catch (e) {
        alert("Error getting layer color: " + "\r" + e + "\r" + 'Line: ' + e.line);
        return null;
    }
}

function setLayerColor(layer, color) {
    try {
        var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIdentifier(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), layer.id);
        desc.putReference(stringIDToTypeID("null"), ref);
        var colorDesc = new ActionDescriptor();
        colorDesc.putEnumerated(stringIDToTypeID("color"), stringIDToTypeID("color"), color);
        desc.putObject(stringIDToTypeID("to"), stringIDToTypeID("layer"), colorDesc);
        executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("set"), desc, DialogModes.NO);
    } catch (e) {
        alert("Error setting layer color: " + "\r" + e + "\r" + 'Line: ' + e.line);
    }
}

function convertLayerToSmartObject() {
    try {
        var idNewPlacedLayer = stringIDToTypeID("newPlacedLayer");
        executeAction(idNewPlacedLayer, undefined, DialogModes.NO);
    } catch (e) {
        alert("Error converting layer to Smart Object: " + "\r" + e + "\r" + 'Line: ' + e.line);
    }
}

P.S. Do you really need this to work on selected layers, and retain the selected layers afterwards?

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

@Delta2487 – Are you still out there?