How to turn off the "With Copy" option when saving files in Action?

[mattl48190004]

Hi All,

I'm using the latest version of PS 24.1.0 20221206.r.166 be4691b x64, on Windows 11.

I would like to create a Action that will save my .TIFF files as .JPG, without the word "COPY" attached to the filename, because I save them into a different folder.

When I go into preferences->File-Handling I turn on the option "Do not append "copy" to filename when saving a copy".

This works when setting up the action for the first time, but when you try your second and remaining images, it appears the Action, still has the option "WITH COPY" saved into the action file. Even if you turn on Legacy Save, the WITH COPY option will still show up in both Save options stored into the Action. Is there anyway to fix this?

Thanks,

-Matt

[Bojan Živković]

Check Enable legacy "Save As" in Preferences > File Handling before recording step, it should work. It works for me when using flat version of document to record step using Save As > JPEG. It records step to save JPEG with lower case without Copy. Enable modal control to test and process single file to avoid any mistake.

[mattl48190004]

Thanks for the reply, but I tried that and it still didn't work. 
The only way I see that it will work is if I use a 8bit file, but I use 16 bit files, and my quality is set to 12 because I sell high quality prints online to my clients.
So change your file to 16bit, and see if it still works.

[Bojan Živković]

JPEG does not support 16 bit per channel. It works even if you are saving from 16 bit document in Photoshop. Quality 5 in my example is not important, it works with any quality settings.

[mattl48190004]

I'm not sure what it causing this, but it doesn't matter what settings I use, it still keeps putting the  WITH COPY inside my Action, 8 or 16 bit. 

[Bojan Živković]

When recording step, duplicate original file and flatten it then use Sava As command.

[PECourtejoie]

Hello, indeed, the copy is there to save your b... your back, when all the attributes of the file are not present.

Here I flattened a file, create a save action with multiple save steps, it works.

What are the atributes of the image you are trying to save: only background layer? layer with transparency? 16 bits? LAB, Greyscale?

action panel with save action

[mattl48190004]

When you use "Save As Copy" is your check box for "As a Copy" enabled? Mine is disabled and still checked, which maybe why its still gets saved in my action. This process works fine, if I'm just working on a individual file manually. 

Is it possible to edit the action file outside of Photoshop, to remove that step?

[D Fosse]

There is a very simple answer to this, and it will always work:

Include steps in the action that makes the file comply with the target file format specification.

So in an action to save jpeg, the action should start with Flatten, Convert to 8 bits per channel, and if applicable remove any alpha channels.

The only non-standard component here is remove alpha channels. There should be a menu item for that, but since there isn't, you may need to install a simple one line script and call that from the action. The script looks like this:

activeDocument.channels.removeAll();

[mattl48190004]

Is there a tool or a way, that will tell me what my jpg bit size is, outside of photoshop?
I want to compare to older jpg files I've created in the past 3 years.

[D Fosse]

As has already been pointed out several times, jpeg does not support 16 bit depth. It will always be 8 bit.

[mattl48190004]

I'm not sure why, but since the latest update from Photoshop, my issue is now resolved!

[PECourtejoie]

Maybe because Camera Raw is set to export 8 bits files?

[Konotop Leonid PAPARAZZI]

Hi friends

I've faced the same problem.

I needed to create an automatic action to save MANY files automatically with no COPY word in the end.

The way i've solved this problem is:

1. Flattern the image

2. Start recording the action

3. Save file as PNG. It saves the merged one, but wihout COPY word

4. Stop recording

4. Return before the FLATTERN in history, so my layers are not deleted.

And after that I use this action when i need. It saves the file with no COPY word added

p.s. This was also before: Preferences->File-Handling I turn on the option "Do not append "copy" to filename when saving a copy"

I attach two screenshots. On @"step 1" you can see saving script settings before the FLATTERN is done, on "step 2" you can see saving script settings AFTER the FLATTERN is done.

The trick is to create needed script settings using the existing PS algoritms with deleting unnesessary steps

Hope i will hepl you

[D Fosse]

This isn't necessary if you

1. end the action with close no save, leaving your originals untouched and all layers intact. The save is earlier in the action.
2. include all necessary steps in the action so that the file conforms to the target file format specification. Then you can just use a regular Save As, you don't need Save A Copy.

Either way, you need to specify a folder in the action to collect your new PNGs.

[Konotop Leonid PAPARAZZI]

yes,  i agree to commit 1. You are absolutely. In this very case i had another task. But in common - you are right.

But the 2nd commit is not working. The problem is folowing: when i use "save AS" while making action i do not save as a copy. Sure. But PS unfortunately makes this "save copy" line in action settings (see the screenshot from the previous message) and i can do nothing with it

[Stephen Marsh]

Just to be clear, Save As and Save a Copy are two different things. As long as you have your Preferences/Settings > File Handling set to "Do not append 'copy' to filename when saving a copy" checked/active it doesn't matter if the action includes the "With Copy" or not.