How to change the anchor point interactively in an action...

[desono5000000]

I'd like to be able to create 11 copies of a selected portion of an image, rotated around a single point, and I'd like to choose that single anchor point while running the script. Here is my action, which is run after I choose to select "subject" in the original image:

 The problem I'm having is that there doesn't seem to be a way to pause the action so that I can choose the rotation point during the action. 

As you can see from the action that I've posted, the anchor point is recorded as a fixed point, and there doesn't seem to be a way to assign a new anchor point with the cursor as the action runs.

Thanks for your input. 

Jeff

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

In the following screenshot, the action has been recorded using a lower left anchor point and 45° angle rotation:

When the Modal control is active and the action is replayed, the options bar recorded settings can be changed. In the following example, I have changed the anchor point to the middle-centre and the angle is now 12°:

Same action step, but different results by using the interactive modal control to override the recorded values using the options bar, then pressing the big tick/check mark on the far right of the options bar to confirm.

P.S. Ensure that the checkmark is on next to the anchor point transformation control, otherwise you will not be able to change the anchor point.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

If you want to use a random point (as opposed to one of the 9 defined ones) I think an Action will not suffice. 

[desono5000000]

I figured it out using the following action steps. The trick is to move the anchor point BEFORE entering the angle of rotation. Also, the recorded "Transform Current Layer" cannot be interactively changed, so I used the "Select Rotate Menu Item" instead and that allows me to interactively change the anchor point location to anywhere I wish, and then set the rotation angle to 30 degrees (or whatever you wish to). Thanks for everyone's input. 

 

The only remaining issue is that I have to figure out how to tuck in the last copy behind the first copy so that all copies overlap the same way. 🙂

[r-bin]

If you are interested in the script

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/rotate-layer/m-p/10969738

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

The only remaining issue is that I have to figure out how to tuck in the last copy behind the first copy so that all copies overlap the same way. 🙂

Duplicate the lowermost of the Layers, move it to the top and Clipping Mask it to the »last« Layer. 

Edit: 

[Bojan Živković · Accepted solution]

Another option, if I can understand your request, is to record an action step using Insert Menu Item > Free Transform. This will record the step: Select Free Transform menu item. When you play the action, it will enter free transform mode and wait for you to adjust and confirm the changes.