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w30290083o9nn
Known Participant
March 27, 2024
Answered

How to draw an irregular selection into a rectangular selection?

  • March 27, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 860 views

I want to draw an irregular selection into a new rectangular selection using the Photoshop rectangular marquee tool, as shown in the picture. I hope to get everyone's help. Thank you very much.

Desired                                                                        Original

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

    // create rectangular sub selections for irregular ones;
// 2024, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
if (hasSelection() == true) {
// set to pixels;
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
////////////////////////////////////
saveSelectionToNewFile ();
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
var myLayer = myDocument.activeLayer;
myLayer.threshold(1);
myDocument.resizeImage(new UnitValue (200, "%"), new UnitValue (200, "%"), undefined, ResampleMethod.NEARESTNEIGHBOR);
myDocument.selection.load(myDocument.channels[0], SelectionType.REPLACE);
var thePath = makeWorkPath(0);
myDocument.resizeImage(new UnitValue (50, "%"), new UnitValue (50, "%"), undefined, ResampleMethod.NEARESTNEIGHBOR);
var thePathArray = collectPathInfoFromDesc2023 (myDocument, thePath);
myDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
////////////////////////////////////
var theResults = new Array;
var theAdd = false;
for (var m = 0; m < thePathArray.length; m++) {
    var thisOne = thePathArray[m];
    var thisArray = new Array;
    for (var n = 0; n < thisOne.length-2; n++) {
        thisArray.push(thisOne[n][0])
    };
    var theIndex = 0;
    thisArray.sort(sortArrayByIndexedItem);
    var x1 = thisArray[0][0];
    var x2 = thisArray[thisArray.length-1][0];
    var theIndex = 1;
    thisArray.sort(sortArrayByIndexedItem);
    var y1 = thisArray[0][1];
    var y2 = thisArray[thisArray.length-1][1];
    theResults.push([x1, y1, x2, y2, theAdd, false]);
    var theAdd = true;
};
////////////////////////////////////
for (var o = 0; o < theResults.length; o++) {
    rectangularSelection (theResults[o][0], theResults[o][1], theResults[o][2], theResults[o][3], theResults[o][4], theResults[o][5])
};
// reset;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
}
};
////////////////////////////////////
////// make work path from selection //////
function saveSelectionToNewFile () {
var desc8 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc8.putClass( stringIDToTypeID( "new" ), stringIDToTypeID( "document" ) );
var idusing = stringIDToTypeID( "using" );
var ref3 = new ActionReference();
ref3.putProperty( stringIDToTypeID( "channel" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selection" ) );
desc8.putReference( idusing, ref3 );
desc8.putString( stringIDToTypeID( "channelName" ), "aaa" );
executeAction( stringIDToTypeID( "make" ), desc8, DialogModes.NO );
};
////// collect path info from actiondescriptor, indices start at 1, not 0 //////
function collectPathInfoFromDesc2023 (myDocument, thePath) {
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
// based of functions from xbytor’s stdlib;
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
var ref = new ActionReference();
// check if thePath is an index or a dom-path;
if (thePath.constructor == Number) {
ref.putIndex(idPath, thePath)
}
else {
thePath.select();
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Path" ), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
};
// get stuff;
var desc = app.executeActionGet(ref);
var pname = desc.getString(cTID('PthN'));
// create new array;
var theArray = new Array;
var pathComponents = desc.getObjectValue(cTID("PthC")).getList(sTID('pathComponents'));
// for subpathitems;
for (var m = 0; m < pathComponents.count; m++) {
var listKey = pathComponents.getObjectValue(m).getList(sTID("subpathListKey"));
var operation1 = pathComponents.getObjectValue(m).getEnumerationValue(sTID("shapeOperation"));
switch (operation1) {
case 1097098272:
var operation = 1097098272 //cTID('Add ');
break;
case 1398961266:
var operation = 1398961266 //cTID('Sbtr');
break;
case 1231975538:
var operation = 1231975538 //cTID('Intr');
break;
default:
//		case 1102:
var operation = sTID('xor') //ShapeOperation.SHAPEXOR;
break;
};
// for subpathitem’s count;
for (var n = 0; n < listKey.count; n++) {
theArray.push(new Array);
var points = listKey.getObjectValue(n).getList(sTID('points'));
try {var closed = listKey.getObjectValue(n).getBoolean(sTID("closedSubpath"))}
catch (e) {var closed = false};
// for subpathitem’s segment’s number of points;
for (var o = 0; o < points.count; o++) {
var anchorObj = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(sTID("anchor"));
var anchor = [anchorObj.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), anchorObj.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
var thisPoint = [anchor];
try {
var left = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(cTID("Fwd "));
var leftDirection = [left.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), left.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
thisPoint.push(leftDirection)
}
catch (e) {
thisPoint.push(anchor)
};
try {
var right = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(cTID("Bwd "));
var rightDirection = [right.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), right.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
thisPoint.push(rightDirection)
}
catch (e) {
thisPoint.push(anchor)
};
try {
var smoothOr = points.getObjectValue(o).getBoolean(cTID("Smoo"));
thisPoint.push(smoothOr)
}
catch (e) {thisPoint.push(false)};
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(thisPoint);
};
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(closed);
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(operation);
};
};
// by xbytor, thanks to him;
function cTID (s) { return cTID[s] || cTID[s] = app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
function sTID (s) { return sTID[s] || sTID[s] = app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };
// reset;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
return theArray;
};
////// create a path from collectPathInfoFromDesc2023-array //////
function createPath2022(theArray, thePathsName) {
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.POINTS;
// thanks to xbytor;
cTID = function(s) { return app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
sTID = function(s) { return app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };

var desc1 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref1 = new ActionReference();
ref1.putProperty(cTID('Path'), cTID('WrPt'));
desc1.putReference(sTID('null'), ref1);
var list1 = new ActionList();

for (var m = 0; m < theArray.length; m++) {
var thisSubPath = theArray[m];

var desc2 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc2.putEnumerated(sTID('shapeOperation'), sTID('shapeOperation'), thisSubPath[thisSubPath.length - 1]);
var list2 = new ActionList();
var desc3 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc3.putBoolean(cTID('Clsp'), thisSubPath[thisSubPath.length - 2]);
var list3 = new ActionList();

for (var n = 0; n < thisSubPath.length - 2; n++) {
var thisPoint = thisSubPath[n];

var desc4 = new ActionDescriptor();
var desc5 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc5.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[0][0]);
desc5.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[0][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Anch'), cTID('Pnt '), desc5);
var desc6 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc6.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[1][0]);
desc6.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[1][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Fwd '), cTID('Pnt '), desc6);
var desc7 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc7.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[2][0]);
desc7.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[2][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Bwd '), cTID('Pnt '), desc7);
desc4.putBoolean(cTID('Smoo'), thisPoint[3]);
list3.putObject(cTID('Pthp'), desc4);

};

desc3.putList(cTID('Pts '), list3);
list2.putObject(cTID('Sbpl'), desc3);
desc2.putList(cTID('SbpL'), list2);
list1.putObject(cTID('PaCm'), desc2);
};

desc1.putList(cTID('T   '), list1);
executeAction(cTID('setd'), desc1, DialogModes.NO);

// name work path;
var desc30 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref6 = new ActionReference();
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
ref6.putClass( idPath );
desc30.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref6 );
var ref7 = new ActionReference();
ref7.putProperty( idPath, charIDToTypeID( "WrPt" ) );
desc30.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "From" ), ref7 );
desc30.putString( charIDToTypeID( "Nm  " ), thePathsName );
executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " ), desc30, DialogModes.NO );
/// get index;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Path"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var pathDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
// return index;
return pathDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"))
};
////// make work path from selection //////
function makeWorkPath (theTolerance) {
// =======================================================
var idMk = charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " );
var desc5 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
var ref3 = new ActionReference();
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
ref3.putClass( idPath );
desc5.putReference( idnull, ref3 );
var idFrom = charIDToTypeID( "From" );
var ref4 = new ActionReference();
var idcsel = charIDToTypeID( "csel" );
var idfsel = charIDToTypeID( "fsel" );
ref4.putProperty( idcsel, idfsel );
desc5.putReference( idFrom, ref4 );
var idTlrn = charIDToTypeID( "Tlrn" );
var idPxl = charIDToTypeID( "#Pxl" );
desc5.putUnitDouble( idTlrn, idPxl, theTolerance );
executeAction( idMk, desc5, DialogModes.NO );
/// get index;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Path"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var pathDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
// return index;
return pathDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"))
};
////// make a rectangular selection //////
function rectangularSelection (x1, y1, x2, y2, theAdd, theIntersect) {
if (theAdd == false || theAdd == undefined) {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "set" )}
else {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "addTo" )};
if (theIntersect == true) {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "interfaceWhite" );};
var idpixelsUnit = stringIDToTypeID( "pixelsUnit" );
var desc16 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref2 = new ActionReference();
ref2.putProperty( stringIDToTypeID( "channel" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selection" ) );
desc16.putReference( stringIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref2 );
var desc17 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "top" ), idpixelsUnit, y1 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "left" ), idpixelsUnit, x1 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "bottom" ), idpixelsUnit, y2 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "right" ), idpixelsUnit, x2 );
desc16.putObject( stringIDToTypeID( "to" ), stringIDToTypeID( "rectangle" ), desc17 );
if(theAdd == true) desc16.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifier" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifierType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "addToSelection" ) );
executeAction( idset, desc16, DialogModes.NO );
};
////// sort a double array, thanks to sam, http://www.rhinocerus.net/forum/lang-javascript/ //////
function sortArrayByIndexedItem(a,b) {
//var theIndex = 1;
if (a[theIndex]<b[theIndex]) return -1;
if (a[theIndex]>b[theIndex]) return 1;
return 0;
};
////// check for selection //////
function hasSelection(){
var ref10 = new ActionReference();
ref10.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("selection"));
ref10.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Dcmn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" ) );
var docDesc = executeActionGet(ref10);
return docDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("selection"));
};

    4 replies

    L
    Lumigraphics
    Legend
    March 27, 2024

    The manual way is turn on snapping, drag guides to each selection, and manually add a rectangular selection. Honestly I'd probably just do that and I'm a big user of scripts.

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 28, 2024
      quote

      The manual way is turn on snapping, drag guides to each selection, and manually add a rectangular selection. Honestly I'd probably just do that and I'm a big user of scripts.


      By @Lumigraphics

       

      For how many selections per document? For how many documents? For how many times a day, week or year?

       

      It would all come down to what a PITA this was, I'm guessing that this is the case for the OP.

       

       

        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        March 27, 2024

        // create rectangular sub selections for irregular ones;
// 2024, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
if (hasSelection() == true) {
// set to pixels;
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
////////////////////////////////////
saveSelectionToNewFile ();
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
var myLayer = myDocument.activeLayer;
myLayer.threshold(1);
myDocument.resizeImage(new UnitValue (200, "%"), new UnitValue (200, "%"), undefined, ResampleMethod.NEARESTNEIGHBOR);
myDocument.selection.load(myDocument.channels[0], SelectionType.REPLACE);
var thePath = makeWorkPath(0);
myDocument.resizeImage(new UnitValue (50, "%"), new UnitValue (50, "%"), undefined, ResampleMethod.NEARESTNEIGHBOR);
var thePathArray = collectPathInfoFromDesc2023 (myDocument, thePath);
myDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
////////////////////////////////////
var theResults = new Array;
var theAdd = false;
for (var m = 0; m < thePathArray.length; m++) {
    var thisOne = thePathArray[m];
    var thisArray = new Array;
    for (var n = 0; n < thisOne.length-2; n++) {
        thisArray.push(thisOne[n][0])
    };
    var theIndex = 0;
    thisArray.sort(sortArrayByIndexedItem);
    var x1 = thisArray[0][0];
    var x2 = thisArray[thisArray.length-1][0];
    var theIndex = 1;
    thisArray.sort(sortArrayByIndexedItem);
    var y1 = thisArray[0][1];
    var y2 = thisArray[thisArray.length-1][1];
    theResults.push([x1, y1, x2, y2, theAdd, false]);
    var theAdd = true;
};
////////////////////////////////////
for (var o = 0; o < theResults.length; o++) {
    rectangularSelection (theResults[o][0], theResults[o][1], theResults[o][2], theResults[o][3], theResults[o][4], theResults[o][5])
};
// reset;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
}
};
////////////////////////////////////
////// make work path from selection //////
function saveSelectionToNewFile () {
var desc8 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc8.putClass( stringIDToTypeID( "new" ), stringIDToTypeID( "document" ) );
var idusing = stringIDToTypeID( "using" );
var ref3 = new ActionReference();
ref3.putProperty( stringIDToTypeID( "channel" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selection" ) );
desc8.putReference( idusing, ref3 );
desc8.putString( stringIDToTypeID( "channelName" ), "aaa" );
executeAction( stringIDToTypeID( "make" ), desc8, DialogModes.NO );
};
////// collect path info from actiondescriptor, indices start at 1, not 0 //////
function collectPathInfoFromDesc2023 (myDocument, thePath) {
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
// based of functions from xbytor’s stdlib;
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
var ref = new ActionReference();
// check if thePath is an index or a dom-path;
if (thePath.constructor == Number) {
ref.putIndex(idPath, thePath)
}
else {
thePath.select();
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Path" ), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
};
// get stuff;
var desc = app.executeActionGet(ref);
var pname = desc.getString(cTID('PthN'));
// create new array;
var theArray = new Array;
var pathComponents = desc.getObjectValue(cTID("PthC")).getList(sTID('pathComponents'));
// for subpathitems;
for (var m = 0; m < pathComponents.count; m++) {
var listKey = pathComponents.getObjectValue(m).getList(sTID("subpathListKey"));
var operation1 = pathComponents.getObjectValue(m).getEnumerationValue(sTID("shapeOperation"));
switch (operation1) {
case 1097098272:
var operation = 1097098272 //cTID('Add ');
break;
case 1398961266:
var operation = 1398961266 //cTID('Sbtr');
break;
case 1231975538:
var operation = 1231975538 //cTID('Intr');
break;
default:
//		case 1102:
var operation = sTID('xor') //ShapeOperation.SHAPEXOR;
break;
};
// for subpathitem’s count;
for (var n = 0; n < listKey.count; n++) {
theArray.push(new Array);
var points = listKey.getObjectValue(n).getList(sTID('points'));
try {var closed = listKey.getObjectValue(n).getBoolean(sTID("closedSubpath"))}
catch (e) {var closed = false};
// for subpathitem’s segment’s number of points;
for (var o = 0; o < points.count; o++) {
var anchorObj = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(sTID("anchor"));
var anchor = [anchorObj.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), anchorObj.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
var thisPoint = [anchor];
try {
var left = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(cTID("Fwd "));
var leftDirection = [left.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), left.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
thisPoint.push(leftDirection)
}
catch (e) {
thisPoint.push(anchor)
};
try {
var right = points.getObjectValue(o).getObjectValue(cTID("Bwd "));
var rightDirection = [right.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('horizontal')), right.getUnitDoubleValue(sTID('vertical'))];
thisPoint.push(rightDirection)
}
catch (e) {
thisPoint.push(anchor)
};
try {
var smoothOr = points.getObjectValue(o).getBoolean(cTID("Smoo"));
thisPoint.push(smoothOr)
}
catch (e) {thisPoint.push(false)};
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(thisPoint);
};
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(closed);
theArray[theArray.length - 1].push(operation);
};
};
// by xbytor, thanks to him;
function cTID (s) { return cTID[s] || cTID[s] = app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
function sTID (s) { return sTID[s] || sTID[s] = app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };
// reset;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
return theArray;
};
////// create a path from collectPathInfoFromDesc2023-array //////
function createPath2022(theArray, thePathsName) {
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.POINTS;
// thanks to xbytor;
cTID = function(s) { return app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
sTID = function(s) { return app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };

var desc1 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref1 = new ActionReference();
ref1.putProperty(cTID('Path'), cTID('WrPt'));
desc1.putReference(sTID('null'), ref1);
var list1 = new ActionList();

for (var m = 0; m < theArray.length; m++) {
var thisSubPath = theArray[m];

var desc2 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc2.putEnumerated(sTID('shapeOperation'), sTID('shapeOperation'), thisSubPath[thisSubPath.length - 1]);
var list2 = new ActionList();
var desc3 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc3.putBoolean(cTID('Clsp'), thisSubPath[thisSubPath.length - 2]);
var list3 = new ActionList();

for (var n = 0; n < thisSubPath.length - 2; n++) {
var thisPoint = thisSubPath[n];

var desc4 = new ActionDescriptor();
var desc5 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc5.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[0][0]);
desc5.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[0][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Anch'), cTID('Pnt '), desc5);
var desc6 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc6.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[1][0]);
desc6.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[1][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Fwd '), cTID('Pnt '), desc6);
var desc7 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc7.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[2][0]);
desc7.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Rlt'), thisPoint[2][1]);
desc4.putObject(cTID('Bwd '), cTID('Pnt '), desc7);
desc4.putBoolean(cTID('Smoo'), thisPoint[3]);
list3.putObject(cTID('Pthp'), desc4);

};

desc3.putList(cTID('Pts '), list3);
list2.putObject(cTID('Sbpl'), desc3);
desc2.putList(cTID('SbpL'), list2);
list1.putObject(cTID('PaCm'), desc2);
};

desc1.putList(cTID('T   '), list1);
executeAction(cTID('setd'), desc1, DialogModes.NO);

// name work path;
var desc30 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref6 = new ActionReference();
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
ref6.putClass( idPath );
desc30.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref6 );
var ref7 = new ActionReference();
ref7.putProperty( idPath, charIDToTypeID( "WrPt" ) );
desc30.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "From" ), ref7 );
desc30.putString( charIDToTypeID( "Nm  " ), thePathsName );
executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " ), desc30, DialogModes.NO );
/// get index;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Path"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var pathDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
// return index;
return pathDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"))
};
////// make work path from selection //////
function makeWorkPath (theTolerance) {
// =======================================================
var idMk = charIDToTypeID( "Mk  " );
var desc5 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
var ref3 = new ActionReference();
var idPath = charIDToTypeID( "Path" );
ref3.putClass( idPath );
desc5.putReference( idnull, ref3 );
var idFrom = charIDToTypeID( "From" );
var ref4 = new ActionReference();
var idcsel = charIDToTypeID( "csel" );
var idfsel = charIDToTypeID( "fsel" );
ref4.putProperty( idcsel, idfsel );
desc5.putReference( idFrom, ref4 );
var idTlrn = charIDToTypeID( "Tlrn" );
var idPxl = charIDToTypeID( "#Pxl" );
desc5.putUnitDouble( idTlrn, idPxl, theTolerance );
executeAction( idMk, desc5, DialogModes.NO );
/// get index;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"));
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Path"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var pathDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
// return index;
return pathDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("itemIndex"))
};
////// make a rectangular selection //////
function rectangularSelection (x1, y1, x2, y2, theAdd, theIntersect) {
if (theAdd == false || theAdd == undefined) {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "set" )}
else {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "addTo" )};
if (theIntersect == true) {var idset = stringIDToTypeID( "interfaceWhite" );};
var idpixelsUnit = stringIDToTypeID( "pixelsUnit" );
var desc16 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref2 = new ActionReference();
ref2.putProperty( stringIDToTypeID( "channel" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selection" ) );
desc16.putReference( stringIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref2 );
var desc17 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "top" ), idpixelsUnit, y1 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "left" ), idpixelsUnit, x1 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "bottom" ), idpixelsUnit, y2 );
desc17.putUnitDouble( stringIDToTypeID( "right" ), idpixelsUnit, x2 );
desc16.putObject( stringIDToTypeID( "to" ), stringIDToTypeID( "rectangle" ), desc17 );
if(theAdd == true) desc16.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifier" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifierType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "addToSelection" ) );
executeAction( idset, desc16, DialogModes.NO );
};
////// sort a double array, thanks to sam, http://www.rhinocerus.net/forum/lang-javascript/ //////
function sortArrayByIndexedItem(a,b) {
//var theIndex = 1;
if (a[theIndex]<b[theIndex]) return -1;
if (a[theIndex]>b[theIndex]) return 1;
return 0;
};
////// check for selection //////
function hasSelection(){
var ref10 = new ActionReference();
ref10.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("selection"));
ref10.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Dcmn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" ) );
var docDesc = executeActionGet(ref10);
return docDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("selection"));
};
          Stephen Marsh
          Community Expert
          Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          March 28, 2024

          @w30290083o9nn 

           

          If this script from @c.pfaffenbichler works for you,  please don't forget to mark that reply as a correct answer.

            Stephen Marsh
            Community Expert
            Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            March 27, 2024

            One method, you can use the following script from @c.pfaffenbichler 

             

            /* https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-can-i-automatically-create-a-rectangular-layer-mask-from-an-irregularly-shaped-selection/m-p/4905764 */
// make selection rectangular
// 2013, use it at your own risk;

#target photoshop

if (app.documents.length > 0) {
    var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
    try {
        var theBounds = myDocument.selection.bounds;
        var theArray = [[theBounds[0], theBounds[1]], [theBounds[2], theBounds[1]], [theBounds[2], theBounds[3]], [theBounds[0], theBounds[3]]];
        myDocument.selection.select(theArray, SelectionType.REPLACE, 0, false);
    }
    catch (e) { }
}

             

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

              Stephen Marsh
              Community Expert
              Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              March 27, 2024

              I just saw your new post that came in while I was writing mine...

               

              You could use Layer > New > Layer via copy (CTRL/CMD J)

               

              Then run the following script:

               

              https://photoshopscripts.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/split-to-layers/

               

              So that you have individual layers from each separate selection.

               

              Then another script can loop over the layers and convert each transparency channel selection to a rectangular selection.

               

              You can combine each of these manual steps into an action or a single script.

                W
                w30290083o9nnAuthor
                Known Participant
                March 27, 2024

                I have a piece of code that can turn an irregular selection into a rectangular selection, but it cannot handle multiple irregular selections. For example, if there are N irregular selections, it cannot achieve the transformation for all of them.

                // Set the ruler units to pixels
preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;

// Get the coordinates and dimensions of the current selection
var rect = app.activeDocument.selection.bounds;
var x = rect[0].value;
var y = rect[1].value;
var width = rect[2].value - x;
var height = rect[3].value - y;

// Extract coordinate and dimension information
var xCoord = x.toString().replace(' px', '');
var yCoord = y.toString().replace(' px', '');
var rectWidth = width.toString().replace(' px', '');
var rectHeight = height.toString().replace(' px', '');

// Calculate the position of the new selection
var newX = xCoord;
var newY = yCoord;
var newWidth = Number(rectWidth) + Number(xCoord);
var newHeight = Number(rectHeight) + Number(yCoord);

// Create an ActionDescriptor for the new selection
var actionDescriptor = new ActionDescriptor();
var actionReference = new ActionReference();
actionReference.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("channel"), stringIDToTypeID("selection"));
actionDescriptor.putReference(stringIDToTypeID("null"), actionReference);

var newSelectionDescriptor = new ActionDescriptor();
newSelectionDescriptor.putUnitDouble(stringIDToTypeID("top"), stringIDToTypeID("pixelsUnit"), newY);
newSelectionDescriptor.putUnitDouble(stringIDToTypeID("left"), stringIDToTypeID("pixelsUnit"), newX);
newSelectionDescriptor.putUnitDouble(stringIDToTypeID("bottom"), stringIDToTypeID("pixelsUnit"), newHeight);
newSelectionDescriptor.putUnitDouble(stringIDToTypeID("right"), stringIDToTypeID("pixelsUnit"), newWidth);

actionDescriptor.putObject(stringIDToTypeID("to"), stringIDToTypeID("rectangle"), newSelectionDescriptor);

// Add the new selection
executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("addTo"), actionDescriptor, DialogModes.NO);

// Drawing the rectangular selection is complete

                 

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