Image Processor vs Batch

[Ivan Zajats]

What's the differenece between Image Processor & Batch?

When we choose one or the other?

As I understand, both are for editing series of images and applying actions.

[Stephen Marsh]

What's the differenece between Image Processor & Batch?

Batch is a native Photoshop feature (which can be scripted) to run a specific action set and action over multiple images. An action is a requirement for using Batch. Droplets are very similar to the Batch command (except for their execution).

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/processing-batch-files.html#process_a_batch_of_files

As I understand, both are for editing series of images and applying actions.

Image Processor is a script. It can also optionally play an action, it isn't mandatory as it is with the Batch command. It offers a small amount of predefined file save formats (no PNG) with configurable options.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/processing-batch-files.html#convert_files_with_the_image_pro...

Why use one over the other? The various scripts are often more user-friendly than the Batch command, which often confuses users with some of its non-intuitive features (which are all explained in the first link). For some they want to use PNG, which isn't available in Image Processor, so they use Batch (save as PNG, not save for web PNG).

There are other scripted options as well...

A popular script is the more advanced Image Processor Pro:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/ps-scripts/files/Image%20Processor%20Pro/v3_2%20betas/

Then there are others such as –

Extended Image Processor with PNG support by the late Mike Hale:

https://www.ps-scripts.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=10225&p=54270&hilit=Image+Processor+with+PNG+support...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-save-in-other-formats-automate...

Picture Processor:

https://github.com/Paul-Riggott/PS-Scripts/blob/master/Picture%20Processor.jsx

Raw Image Converter:

https://github.com/SetTrend/Raw-Image-Converter

Batch Multi Save:

https://www.marspremedia.com/software/photoshop/batch-multi-save

Info on saving and running custom script code here:

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

[Conrad_C · Accepted solution]

One way to look at it:

Image Processor is simpler and very focused on processing image copies for export. That’s why its main options are to save up to three copies in JPEG, PSD, TIFF, and optionally resize each to different pixel dimensions. You can run an action at the end, but that’s not the main focus which is converting and resizing copies of the original.

Batch is more open-ended. Although it can run any action like Image Processor can, the big difference is that Batch is not built around the assumption that it needs to create copies for export. For example, what if you want to just want to run some filters on open original documents and leave those originals open for further editing, and you definitely don’t need converted/resized copies of them right now? Then Image Processor options wouldn’t serve that goal and would be inappropriate, so you would use Batch instead.

[Ivan Zajats]

I've tested both a bit.

With Image Processor we don't need to have any saving steps in the action itself 🙂

With Batch I had to choose the saving options manually for each file in the pop-up window.

Resize option is very handy, no need to have multiple actions for different sizes.

So, for me Image Processor looks more convenient.