Quick replace multiple layers with a chosen image

To swap multiple layers in Photoshop, you can use the following method. While it may not be fully automated, it is more realistic in the real world:

1. **Organize Your Layers**: Make sure all your circle layers are properly named and grouped if necessary. It will make the process more manageable.

2. **Prepare Your Square Image**: Open the square image you want to replace the circles with in Photoshop. Make sure it's the correct size and resolution.

3. **Place Square Image on Top**: Drag and drop your square image onto your document with the circles. This will create a new layer with the square.

4. **Position the Square**: Use the Move Tool (V) to position the square image over one of the circles. Make sure it's properly aligned and scaled to fit the circle.

5. **Clip the Square**: Right-click on the square layer and choose "Create Clipping Mask." This will mask the square to the shape of the circle beneath it. Repeat this process for each circle.

6. **Repeat for All Circles**: You'll need to manually repeat the above steps for each circle layer. If you have many layers, this can be a bit time-consuming.

7. **Delete Circle Layers**: Once you've replaced all the circles, you can select and delete the original circle layers.

This method should achieve the desired result but may require some manual work, especially if you have a large number of layers to replace. Photoshop doesn't have a built-in automated way to batch replace layers based on layer names directly.

Keep in mind that for a more automated solution, you might need to explore scripting in Photoshop, which can be quite advanced and may require programming skills. Photoshop's batch processing capabilities are generally more geared toward actions that affect the entire image rather than layer-specific changes.

7. In the document with the square image, arrange the duplicated layers in the desired positions and order.

8. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, select all the duplicated layers in the document with the square image.

I think that is what the original poster wants to avoid – manually recreating the arrangement. 

I think I got a handle on rotations and flipping of the replaced Shape Layers, but as the bounds of a rotated shape (other than a square or a circle) are difficult to assess the rotation and repositioning are two steps and the script is accordingly far from fast. 

@nathanf55210958 , is the issue still relevant? 

It is possible to change the Shape Layers of (practically) identical Vector Masks to the selected Shape Layer, even if rotated and flipped, to instances of one Smart Object via Script. 

Once that is done one can easily change all the instances in one go (see screenshot 3). 

But transfering the rotation and flipping to those SO-instances would seem like a bother, so it only would make sense for, in this case, the circles and squares. 

@nathanf55210958 

Please upload say 3 random examples of the original files and the replacement element/s.

Mockups don't help, the real, actual files are what is required to examine to develop a possible solution.

Are they all the same size? Are the circles all in the exact same position?

If yes, and I have not tested so can't say for sure this would work, but:...

• Make a new document with the squares in the apropriate location and with transparent background.
• Make the layer a Smart Object, and save it in a Creative Cloud Library.  You can simply drag it to the Library panel to do this.
• Make an Action that places the Library layer at the top of the layer stack, and flattens the image.
• Place all of the images into a folder, and use Image Processor to run through the folder, running the Action.

You'd want to save the edited images to a new location I'm thinking — just in case.

Are you using smart objects?