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M
Mick O
Participating Frequently
March 29, 2022
Question

How to make a Droplet to create PSD from Raw file with Smart Object.

  • March 29, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 1630 views

I am trying to create a Photoshop Droplet (PS version 23.2.2) that seems like it would be very simple. When 1 or more Raw files are sent to the droplet, the result is a saved PSD for each Raw file, with that Raw file as a "Smart Object" in the PSD and a Camera Raw preset applied. They would be saved to the original folder where the Raw file was. 

 

I have seen this question asked from the Adobe Bridge perspective, and I am not using Bridge. I want this to be done from a Photoshop Droplet. 

 

User story: 

 

1) I have:

    abc123.RAF

    abc124.RAF

2) I send them to droplet. 

3) Result:

    abc123.psd

    abc123.RAF

    abc124.psd

    abc124.RAF

 

If I open abc124.psd, it will have the contents of abc124.RAF as a Smart Object layer with the edits from a previously saved preset that I can later edit in Camera Raw Filter. 

 

I have been experimenting with droplets but cannot seem to get this to work. I have tried to learn PS scripting but have not been able to figure this out from that perspective either. 

 

If it is helpful, the steps I am trying to automate are: 

 

Open abc123.RAF in Photoshop.  Camera Raw comes up automatically. I apply a preset. I hold SHIFT to "Open as Object", then immediately I save on my compurter as a PSD.  (I currently have to navigate to find the folder that the Raw file was in, and that is not ideal. I read that I should be able to negate that step in a Droplet by choosing to "Override Action 'Save As' command" but I have not gotten that to work.)

 

In my head this does not seem very exotic, but I am having no luck getting it to work. 

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 29, 2022

Do you need the raw file embedded as a smart object or just the processed pixel content of the raw file as a smart object?

 

This is likely beyond the capabilities of a Droplet, which is basically a Batch Action without the UI. I haven't tested yet, however, knowing the complexities here I would suggest the following, at least in the short term.

 

 

I understand that using an interface-driven script such as Image Processor is not the same as using a Droplet from a user experience viewpoint, however, it gets the job done.

 

 

M
Mick OAuthor
Participating Frequently
March 29, 2022

You asked: "Do you need the raw file embedded as a smart object or just the processed pixel content of the raw file as a smart object?"

 

Good question.  When opening a Raw file in Camera Raw I have the option to "Open as Object"  when  shift-clicking the "Open" button.  What is that doing? That is the behavior I am trying to get. Is that embedding the Raw file? 

 

But the rest of your reply suggests that learning scripting from scratch is my only option -- which is sadly unlikely.   I am not sure what about this is considered complex as in essence I am only trying to automate what is a series of clicks with no decisions needing to be made at any point -- and even if it only worked on a single file that would be OK as well.    If I am going to have to open the image to apply settings then that negates the entire premise 🙂 

 

I appreciate the response and your efforts. Thank you very much. 

M
Mick OAuthor
Participating Frequently
March 30, 2022

Interesting... I am learning how this stuff works.  Because I recorded the process of opening a specific file in the action, that filename/path is recorded in the action, yet the Droplet including this action seems to work just fine when applied to other files.  I have not discovered a way to delete specific parameters of recorded actions.  Anyway, I think the "With As Smart Object" is the key here. 

 

Is this screenshot what you were looking for? 

 

Note: After resisting, I finally made saving as Local file the default...  but that has not worked for me (yet).  I have tried making Droplets with the Override turned on, but I still get the Save dialog popping up even with Local files the default.  So my workaround is just include the Save and Close steps in the action itself. 


This is the Droplet setup currently without the Save Override 

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