How to batch create quote graphics UNIQUELY with Data Variables or Action Or Script?

[Jackveer]

I would like to make my concern sound as easy to understand as possible, to get exact answer, if possible.

What's my goal?

Create 100s of Quote graphics using "Variables" option in Photoshop.

What I've achieved so far?

Watching Photoshop tutor videos on YouTube, I've learnt to create 100s of Quote graphics in batch.

What's the problem then?

Well, so far I've learnt to create 100s of quote graphics using "Variable" option,

1. by inputting an excel file(converting it into text file and inputting for Data Set)

2. Assigning a folder of images as background (different image as background for different quote)

3. And be able to create 100s of quote graphics....

BUT

I couldn't find any Photoshop Script of Action or Way to achieve following:

1. Use an excel file (converting it to text file) and giving it as input to Data Set.. AND be able to run script so that it doesn't select text quote in serial but chooses text quote randomly.

2. Use a folder having background images in it.... AND be able to run script so that it doesn't select image in serial but chooses image randomly..

3. Be able to use different fonts for text quotes - by being able to select 2-4 specific fonts..

Is this possible? If yes, how? Please guide. Thank you.

[Mylenium]

That would require to create a custom script. An alternative might be to randomize the data in Excel before export, which at least could eliminate the first two points, only leaving the random font assignment as an issue.

Mylenium

[Jackveer]

Thanks for your valuable feedback @Mylenium. This is a cool suggestion ... and totally appreciated...

But that would require my involvement everytime I run this process, i.e. everytime I'll need to randomize excel file first (although I don't know how to randomize an excel file, I guess a bit of Google will find me an answer)..

But I'm still open to find someone who can create a custom script for this. I'm willing to pay for this. So I'm open to feedbacks to help me find exact solution.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You might want to post over at

Photoshop Scripting

or to ask for paid help on 

https://www.ps-scripts.com/viewforum.php?f=78&sid=e749e449aa8131564cf587185d06e5c4 

[Jackveer]

Okey.. I've posted this message at both the links you've recommended. Let's see. thank you.

[Bojan Živković]

In case you cannot find a solution here is my suggestion: try what Mylenium is suggesting. It is possible to randomize data using Excel. I was using Excel plugin for similar job couple of years ago. I cannot remember which plugin, here is a link to one that is easy to Google Randomizer for Microsoft Excel That will require your involvement. How much involvement? It depends. I was forced to record a macro to remove empty spaces at the end of lines in .txt files. Good luck!

[Jackveer]

Hello @Bojan Živković, I did check the link you've shared. Downloaded trial version and tried to follow instructions but somehow couldn't get through. But guess what, then I just Googled about "how to randomize data in excel" and it showed me some results of articles. I followed one of them and It worked! All I had to do is use the command "rand()"! Never thought that randomizing excel rows would be so easy! So thank you for the inspiration for this. And this does not seem to be taking much of my involvement - it's a matter of merely seconds. So I'm bit excited to have found this solution for now for at least excel... but I'm still open for suggestions for a photoshop action script that does exactly what I want, automatically. Now I'll go through feedback of c.pfaffenbichler​ and go through links he has recommended! Thank you again!

[EFinnegan]

It might be a bit of overkill, but if you made your own Photoshop extension you could use the javascript math.random() function... Admittedly, it's a little tricky, but it's totally possible with a few lines of basic javascript and HTML.

On this site someone is doing something similar. You have to round the random numbers from decimals into whole numbers, and have a range of numbers to work from (because you probably don't have infinite backgrounds).  For something like that you'd use math.floor()

Maybe I should make an example extension inspired by your post...

[Jackveer]

Hello Ninjaconsultant that sounds quite helpful to have you say to create an example extension for this issue. Before you do that, I would be happy to share with you updates on my initial query and progress I made thereof by receiving some useful feedbacks from the community.

1. Originally I was looking for this Photoshop Action/Extension/Script that can randomize text quotes in excel file - But now that function is not required anymore as I've found solution to randomize data in excel file itself, so no need to it in Photoshop. (Note: This can be done using "=rand()" - function in excel)

2. Likewise, I was looking for this Photoshop Action/Extension/Script that can randomly choose background images from a given folder of images - But now that function is not required anymore as part of this required action as I've found solution to randomize images in a given folder (Note: This can be achieved using Renamer tool called Ant Renamer)

So, now having two part problems resolved, I'm looking  for a Photoshop Action/Script that can achieve following:

1. Choose text quotes in serial from given CSV text file (Data Variables option in Photoshop does this)

2. Choose background images in serial from given images folder (Data Variables option in Photoshop does this)

3. Add one quote on each image (there'll be two text fields in each quotes, i.e. Quote and Author) and then save it as PSD4. Above 3 steps can be achieved with existing features of Photoshop, but 2 features that I'm yet looking for are 5 and 6 respectively below.

5. Give an option to select and apply 2-4 fonts randomly (from given list of specific 2-4 font types)

6. If the text quote is small, remove extra space between text area of Quote and text area of Author.

Let me know, if this sounds like can be achieved.

[virtualecomnomy]

Hi Jack, were you able to find a complete solution to this? I'm mostly interested in the ability to configure a set of pre-selected fonts to be applied to each quote image dataset. I'm also interested in a solution for the #6 feature you mentioned as well. Thanks!

[Lumigraphics]

Randomize your data in Excel first. There is no built-in way to create data-driven graphics with randomized data. As for fonts, that's pretty easy with a Javascript.

If you aren't a programmer, you may need to hire someone to do this all for you.