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Rizum
Rizum
Known Participant
June 13, 2022
Answered

How to drag and drop an image in windows explorer to Photoshop and keep it centered?

  • June 13, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 4873 views

I often need to drag and drop an image file from windows explorer to the current working psd file, and since I am working on it, I always zoom in the canvas quite a lot. So, when I drag and drop an image while the photoshop canvas in really zoomed in, the image will be place where the cursor is. My work around now is to zoom out the canvas on photoshop and then drag and drop, that will fit the image in the center of the canvas, but that is annoying extra step in my workflow, since I have to do this hundreads times in a day. Is there any way or setting to drag and drop an image while the photoshop canvas is really zoomed in? really apprenciate it.

Correct answer Stephen Marsh

record the action, because I am not sure how to achive that.


@Rizum wrote:

record the action, because I am not sure how to achive that.

 

 

Link:

 

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/7e5bb69f-bdc6-433e-785f-f841e8824214

 

Download the .atn file and save it to your drive or to a backup etc. Use the Window > Actions menu command to open the Action panel, then use the upper right hand menu to load the .atn file. You can then set a custom F-Key shortuct by highlighting the action (not the set/folder) and using the action panel menu item for "Action Options".

 

 

Helpx Articles:

 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/creating-actions.html

 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/playing-actions.html

 

 

3 replies

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 13, 2022

Try doing a Select>All, then drag your image in from explorer.

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2022

    @Jeff Arola – nice one, that works too! 

     

    At this point, it appears to be a case of either:

     

    1) Use an action + F-key shortcut or a script + standard custom keyboard shortcut

    Pros: only a single step once setup

    Cons: requires setup and remembering a keyboard shortcut

     

    or

     

    2) Select all, drag from Finder/Explorer, deselect

    Pros: no actions or scripts required, uses standard keyboard shortcuts

    Cons: two additional steps

     

    Does anybody have a third option?

    Zesty_wanderlust15A7
    Zesty_wanderlust15A7
    Known Participant
    June 13, 2022

    Maybe there's an event trigger for dropping an image in?

    I'll have to check these out asap! 🙂

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2022

      @Rizum – Having dragged content auto centre on the canvas does appear to be dependent on having the entire canvas visible.

       

      I have tried different keyboard modifiers without success. When dragging from one open document to another open doc in Photoshop, holding down the shift key modifier will centre the new layer content – but you are dragging from outside Photoshop.

       

      Perhaps a less onerous extra step would be to use a keyboard shortcut to run an action or script to auto-centre the active layer to the canvas, at least that way your zoom and pan don't need to be changed.

       

      Edit: I now see that @Trevor.Dennis has replied while I was typing my reply!

        Trevor.Dennis
        Community Expert
        Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 13, 2022

        You could do it with an Action and trigger it with a Function key.  I just tested and it works fine.  Assuming you have Preferences set to bring Placed objects as Smart Objects, you have to hit Enter to OK the SO. Then hit your Function key and the layer is centred without affecting your current zoom level.

         

        I am sure you can do the Action, but ask if not.

          Trevor.Dennis
          Community Expert
          Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 13, 2022

          When I suggest using Function keys I like to show the defualt shortcuts.  I argue that single key shortcuts are too useful to leave to their defualt settings.  Ask yourself if you ever use the shortcuts below, and if not, then think about making better use if them.  F1 is hard wired and can't be changed.

           

          Help_________________________ F1

          Cut__________________________ F2

          Character Panel________________ F3

          Adjustments Panel______________ F4

          Brushes panel__________________ F5

          Colour panel___________________ F6

          Layers Panel___________________ F7

          Info Panel_____________________ F8

          Actions Panel__________________ F9

          History Panel__________________ F10

          Timeline______________________ F11

          Revert________________________ F12

            Zesty_wanderlust15A7
            Zesty_wanderlust15A7
            Known Participant
            June 13, 2022

            "F1 is hardwired and can't be changed."

            > I use F1 to Start/Continue actions (PC).

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