Placing multiple Images/Symbols in a set order hundreds of times

[jaredjohnston]

I have objects that I've created that have multiple colors that I want to lay on my background quickly. My current workflow is grab 10-20 layers of these objects at a time, reseize, and then move them to each location, control + clicking each one on the way to deselect it once it's in the correct spot. I do this Hundreds of times on each project.

What I'm looking for is the ability to lay these multicolored objects like brush clicks. I have explored the Mixer Brush which does exactly what I want aside from using the same image/symbol over and over. I'd like it to cycle through different images. Sort of an image brush that cycles through images in a set library.

I appreciate all suggestions. Thank you.

Below is an example gif of my current process that I'd like to streamline. (not actual project)

https://i.gyazo.com/0a3569312cc059ce60d770aef3429779.gif

[jaredjohnston]

I understand how that works. Those are all the same shape and also one solid color for each butterfly. Not what I'm looking for. 

[JJMack]

There are sample tips and dual tips and size dymamics  color dymamics and a colot can have man shades or ocacity

[jaredjohnston]

Yep, and all of that deals in one color at a time. The trees has lots of shades from green to yellone and brown stumps. Need multiple colors. Not just one like the brush in your example.

[JJMack]

So if Corel Painter hose does what you want to do and can edit PSD files use Painter.  Even if you ask Adobe to add a hose like feature to Photoshop. If the like the idea  it would not be added in the near future. It would take  Adobe some time to fit that request into their plans.

[jaredjohnston]

That’s the idea. Using Coral would work but it can’t Handel PSB files (Large format PSDs). Even saving my files into flat Tifs or JPGs doesn’t help because Coral cant open them. Ps is the powerhouse and can handle anything I throw at it. Coral’s $300+ prictag may be a better solution but posting here to see if anyone had a Ps solution was my first choice.

If it doesn’t exist or can’t be created in Photoshop then I’ll go the Coral Painter or ArtRage rout.

[JJMack]

The only way I know of  stroking multi color thing like a corful tree in Photoshop is be using Photoshop scripting where you can place and scale paterns along a path.  Adobe does include some Pattern fill scripts that  can do some things.  But you do not have the ability to create a brush like tool using Photoshop scripting.   Scripts can not even get the mouse coursor position. So it not posible to script your own Photoshop brush type.  A compiled Photoshop Plug-in may be able to.    Try searching the web for a plug-in that mage be able to doe a Corel Hose type thing for Photoshop.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

With this you can drag for multiple trees or single click for just one.

Have you tested the Script mentioned in the link I posted previously?

It only allows for placing through clicking and without pressure sensitivity, though.

[jaredjohnston]

Not yet, but possibly today. The only thing with that is it seems like wouldn't be much faster than the current method of tree by tree.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The only thing with that is it seems like wouldn't be much faster than the current method of tree by tree.

Clicking and the SO being duplicated to the click location might be faster after all.

One can adapt the Script to place based on two clicks to allow for determining the scaling (and rotation if necessary).

[Lumigraphics]

At this point, its pretty obvious that the OP wants something that Photoshop can't do. You'll have to use a different program. Don't hold your breath on Adobe adding this tomorrow.

[jaredjohnston]

Awesome outlook on the situation... thanks for chiming in.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The placing of random copies of several selected Layers can be »done with a Script and by »piggybacking« on the Count Tool for example.

[jaredjohnston]

and this is done with the script that you linked to in your above post?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

With the amendment of the line

var theScale = random*(Number(String(theMax).slice(4))-Number(String(theMin).slice(4)))+Number(String(th eMin).slice(4));

where a space seems to have been introduced in »th eMin« and which needs to be

var theScale = random*(Number(String(theMax).slice(4))-Number(String(theMin).slice(4)))+Number(String(theMin).slice(4));

[jaredjohnston]

I will take a look at it. I'm no coder or scripter but I'll see if I can figure it out.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I posted instructions, there should not be a lot that needs figuring out.

[jaredjohnston]

I just did a test with ArtRage and the Sticker Sheets and Sticker Spray work almost perfectly. Very similar to Coral Paint and quite a bit cheaper. I just wish there were a way to get this tool into photoshop.

[Michael Bullo]

Hi Jared,

While this is less than optimal, could it help?

1. Have a folder full of images (perhaps .png files with transparency).
2. Select the images and drag them into an open document in Photoshop.
3. Photoshop will Place these one at time. Resize and move each one and press Enter (or double click) to advance to the next image.

I realise that this is pretty similar to what you are already doing. However, the upside is that the next element is already in a state of Free Transform after placing the previous image.

You will end up with a series of placed images contained within Smart Objects. If this is not preferable you could select them all in the Layers panel, right mouse click and choose Rasterize Layers.

[jaredjohnston]

I tried this and it would be similar to how I place them now except with the png method, each tree pops in at the center of the document. Some of my documents are over 30,000 x 30,000 pixels in size which is why I use PSB files.

So going back to the center to get the next tree is less than optimal.

Another workaround I've experimented with is creating libraries of trees. And this works to the same extentt as pulling from another Ps file. I can have a library object of 8 trees and when I pull them in they are on separate layers but that still isn't a faster way of placing multiple different trees organically with a brush.

[JJMack]

The only Brush type tool  I know of that can brush multi color object is the Clone stamp tool with align not not checked with a click you could stamp lay down multi color objects.  Brush controls like size hardness, blending etc may be useable.  However,  I sure many brush dynamics would not be operational because of the sampling nature of the clone stamp brush tip while stroking.  Strokes will only repeat the original source point with a fresh click. 

Scripts can not find out the cursor position so  scripting a brush like tools is not possible.

[jaredjohnston]

[jaredjohnston]

Here's another post describing exactly what I'm looking for.

Photoshop: Image Hose - Extend Clone Stamp tool | Photoshop Family Customer Community

[JJMack]

Yes that suggestion was give to Adobe 8 years ago and in 8 years Adobe had not added such a feature or showcased a future feature like that.  I suggested to you  to search and see if the is any Plug-in the add a feature like that to Photoshop.   A compile plug-in can  provide what you want.  Plug-in like Adobe Liquify have brush like tools.  There are commercial plug-in like ParticleShop that has paint brushes for Photoshop.  I'm not a Painter have you search for any painter plug-ins for Photoshop.

By now I think you should see the painting on the wall Adode is not  going to hose Photoshop that way they have other ways to hose Photoshop.

[jaredjohnston]

That's a real downer way to look at it. Yeah, they haven't done anything in 8 years so we should just give up and not post about any changes we'd like?

I don't agree with that at all. If enough people want it, they'll add it.

Considering almost every major competitor of theirs has a feature like this, they should see the writing on the wall.

And I did contact ParticleShop. Their tool would work perfectly if you could customize it. Which you can't. And they won't allow.