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johns40282744
johns40282744
Participating Frequently
October 23, 2023
Answered

PS Action Using Camera Raw AI Masks - Not Updating AI

  • October 23, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 2767 views

To provide some context, I've been attempting to recreate an action using the new A.I. masking feature inside Camera Raw (ACR). I've reached a point where everything works, except for one issue: the masks don't update based on the specific photo being edited. This is similar to Lightroom, where you can apply a preset across multiple photos and the A.I. adjusts the mask according to each photo. When I apply the action to a new photo (not the one I used to create the action), it works flawlessly, except that the ACR masks still use the A.I. mask from the original image I used to create the action.

Correct answer DiodorS

I had the same issue and managed to overcome it with an ugly workaround, works on Windows: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/ai-camera-raw-masks-not-re-computed-when-used-in-an-action/idi-p/14176133

6 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 31, 2023

Just an update, I tested this with TIFF files in the Adobe Camera Raw plugin (not the Camera Raw Filter in Photoshop).

 

The AI masks work as expected when the settings are synced from the first image to subsequent images.

 

The originals:

 

 

The AI mask synced across both images that contain different mask content (square vs circle) with colour change:

 

 

 

    C
    Ciccillotto
    Inspiring
    October 31, 2023

    sorry stepen I'm not clear about your proof, we want useful masks on the layers, I don't see this in your screenshots.

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 31, 2023

    It's not "proof" as such, it demonstrates how things were designed to work in ACR. CRF is different.

     

    That wasn't clear about masks on layers, how do you currently get the masks in the layers? The masks are inside the CRF edited image aren't they?

      D
      DiodorSCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      October 29, 2023

      I had the same issue and managed to overcome it with an ugly workaround, works on Windows: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/ai-camera-raw-masks-not-re-computed-when-used-in-an-action/idi-p/14176133

      johns40282744
      johns40282744Author
      Participating Frequently
      October 31, 2023

      Thanks for sharing your workaround! Unfortunately, I'm on a Mac, and there's no software to invoke a hotkey without user input. The alternative method I found is a bit clunkier. Still, I appreciate your effort!

      C
      Ciccillotto
      Inspiring
      October 31, 2023

      if you like to share your clumsy method

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 24, 2023

      Actions are the old way to automate Photoshop.

       

      The Adobe Camera Raw plugin is a newer, different way of working with raw camera sensor data or rendered RGB pixel data in JPEG or TIFF files. It has its own workflow and batch tools and is outside of Photoshop and traditional Actions automation.

       

      When Adobe added the Camera Raw Filter, many of the features of ACR were made available inside Photoshop and were available to actions and scripts.

       

      That being said, some things should not be expected to work the same way, especially with actions which are designed to record absolute values.

       

      So, forget about doing this with the Camera Raw Filter and Actions which record absolute values (it might be scriptable though). Use JPEG or TIFF and use the Adobe Camera Raw plugin to process multiple images via a parametric workflow where the masks are unique to each image.

      DSeim
      DSeim
      Inspiring
      June 20, 2025

      You keep repeating this, and it's false. There's are non non-absolute things in actions, including the select subject option from within PS and many other tools.

      Adobe has a buggy implementation not carry the filter over into the action, and it should carry over as that filter is part of Photoshop.

      Actions are not the old way to automate Photoshop. They are the primary and current way that everyone is still using.

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 1, 2025

      Thank you, this worked great for my purposes.

      All I wanted was a keyboard shortcut that would open the camera raw filter, press the auto button and close  camera raw.  Your script allows me to do precisely that. 


      @Bando - You're welcome.

        T
        tarap33136446oq6q
        Participant
        October 24, 2023

        I'm experiencing the same issue when recording actions for my blog images. The problem lies in recording the mask's coordinates along with the action, causing performance issues. I'm hoping for a solution to this problem.

          Stephen Marsh
          Community Expert
          Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 24, 2023

          Is this the Camera Raw Filter inside Photoshop, or the Adobe Camera Raw Plugin?

          C
          Ciccillotto
          Inspiring
          October 24, 2023

          Filter camera raw. 

          Stephen Marsh
          Community Expert
          Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 24, 2023

          Thank you for clarifying which is being used.

           

          The Camera Raw Filter and the Adobe Camera Raw plugin are not exactly the same thing. I was wondering how you were running actions with ACR plugin, now I can see that you aren't.

          C
          Ciccillotto
          Inspiring
          October 24, 2023

          I have the same problem too, the problem is that when you record the action the coordinate of the mask is also recorded which is why it doesn't work well. I hope someone fixes this problem.

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