Skip to main content
T
trulymeg2009
Participant
May 15, 2018
Question

"The command “Play” is not currently available." - an action within an action

  • May 15, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 11456 views

I'm creating an action (which plays 4 different actions) to batch my sessions.

I can play all 4 of these individual actions separately, but when I record the "batchable" action with all 4 of these, I get the error message "The command 'Play' is not currently available."

-I'm starting on a background layer.

-The action that won't "play" is coming from a Set of actions that hasn't been removed or renamed.

 

Again, I can play this action and it works on it's own, but once loaded in with the other 3, the action will not play.

 

The strange part is I've created this action on my other computer and it works just fine. I've even tried to transport the action from the other computer to this one.
HELP!!


Thanks!!

4 replies

andycannon
andycannon
Participating Frequently
September 10, 2022

4 years too late, but you probably renamed the folder, the one in photoshop itself, the actions were stored in

    melissap63974182
    melissap63974182
    Participant
    February 13, 2024

    can you eleborate more on this. I am having the same issue with no idea how to get my actions to batch play because i keep getting "play isnt available but i can play them individually by pressing play.

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 13, 2024

    @melissap63974182 

     

    Post a screenshot of the action panel with the action steps expanded with the panel wide enough to view all action steps. Or upload the saved action set .atn file to a file sharing service.

      PECourtejoie
      Community Expert
      PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 25, 2018

      Hi, another user reported an issue when he had the Scripts Events Manager active/open, are you currently using it?

      PECourtejoie
      Community Expert
      PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 15, 2018

      Hello, yes, could you also simply post a screenshot of the action panel with the meta-action?

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 15, 2018

      post your actions the Batch action and the four other actions.

      JJMack
      T
      trulymeg2009Author
      Participant
      May 16, 2018

      At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, where do I go to do that?

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 18, 2018

      Here is the link to a Dropbox folder of my action file:  PS Action Question​

       

      JJMack​ PECourtejoie

      ​


      The answer is quite basic.  Actions have dependencies.  Often image content related.  If a document fails to meet some dependence a step will fail and other steps that depend on the result of the step that did not succeed will not currently be available for a requirement for using the command does not exists. Something like there is no selection and the command requites a selection. A missing layer so it could not be selected by name or a wrong layer was selected for there  are layers with duplicate names you may have played an action twice and created layers with a names that exists and  has different content.   It is best when recording  actions to select layer relative to other layers like top or bottom layer you select the correct layer on add a layer in the stack one its proper spot..  You actions are selecting layer by name all over the place

      It is very easy to make your action fail.   Add a layer to your document play your action. It will quickly fail when that new layer is Photoshop target.   You need to be careful what is targeted when you play your action and when you action fails you need to determine why the step current in the action failed to work.

      Your Actions are creating layers and naming layers and  selection layers by name all over the place.  There  can be problems when you do that.  Play you action twice targeting the bottom layer.   How many duplicate layer names do you see.  Target any layer not the bottom does your action play then.

      Crafting Actions Package UPDATED Aug 10, 2014 Added Conditional Action steps to Action Palette Tips.

      Contains

      Example

      Download

      JJMack
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices