Is there a way to maintain the transparency of layers when loading files into a stack?

Question

I have about 40 images saved as PSDs that I have prepped on a transparent background. I would like to load these images into a single photoshop file. However, when I select the images in bridge or in PS and ask PS to "Load Files into Photoshop Layers", Photoshop creates layers from each image, but also adds a white background to each of the layers, not maintaining the trasnparency in each of the PSDs. Is there a way around this?

Ultimately, I am in the process of making stop motion animations from the Timeline palette. The client wants the abilty to change the background layer, so I am trying to build that in by maintaining the transparency I already have built in each of the individual PSDs.

Sef McCullough · Accepted Answer

Hi @johnm74179594

The best solution I could find was converting the transparent layer in each file to a Smart Object first. It seems to protect the contents and not allow the Stack Script to add the white background.
If you then needed to extract the original layer contents, you can right click on the layer and choose Convert to Layers.

I realize it might be a pain to go back through all those files, maybe create an action or script to automate the Smart Object conversion?
Lmk how it goes!

Sef

Stephen Marsh · Answer

I have written alternative scripts to the standard stacking script:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/layers-creating-layers/td-p/13252109

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/request-photoshop-script-load-files-to-stack-including-layers-in-order/td-p/14202346

Rather than stacking on top of each other, sometimes the requirement is to stack to a horizontal or vertical strip:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-combine-images-horizontally-via-batch/m-p/12716190

Rather than stacking all images into a single file, sometimes the requirement is to stack into layered sets of 2, 3 or more images, creating multiple files:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/script-to-automate-load-files-into-stack/m-p/13499068#U14928257

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/script-to-open-files-and-layer-them/m-p/12532657

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