Repeat last command on photoshop

[So-graphic]

Hi !

I have to work on a very high number of visuals very quickly and I must be very precise in my movement so each and every of my visuals will look the same at the end.

So I don't want to use arrows on my keyboard as they are not very precise, especially if my visuals are not exactly the same size/height.

So I need to use "actions" (or scripts) to achieve my work efficently.

The files i'm working on have 3 layers :
1 - the product2 - its drop shadow
3 - a white background

I want the product to be centered in the file with the exact same drop shadow as before but I can't find a "repeat last command" or "repeat move" on photoshop.

The "repeat last tranformation" doesn't work as no transformation has been done on the layer "product", just a movement.

Does anyone has an idea for this ?

Thanks a lot

[Kanikas]

Moving to Photoshop​

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I may not follow but two options seem to present themselves:

• Link the two Layers before moving them

• instead of just moving apply a Transform that only includes movement, that could be re-applied to the other Layer

[davescm]

Will the background and product layers always be named the same  and will the product already be cut out?  If so, an action like this may work for you:

Dave

[So-graphic]

Thanks Dave,

But the drop-shadow isn't a layer style.
it's a layer by itself…

[So-graphic]

Thanks for your answer.

I've tried linking the layers, but the drop shadow is moving just as it wasn't linked to the product and it end-up excatly underneath the product instead of the left-hand corner of the product (for example).

The "move-transform" thing is working, i'm trying it into a script…

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I've tried linking the layers, but the drop shadow is moving just as it wasn't linked to the product and it end-up excatly underneath the product instead of the left-hand corner of the product (for example).

What are you doing exactly?

Is a Selection active?

Are you moving the Layer or aligning it?

[So-graphic]

I've tried linking the layers, but the drop shadow is moving just as it wasn't linked to the product and it end-up excatly underneath the product instead of the left-hand corner of the product (for example).

Is a Selection active? no

Are you moving the Layer or aligning it?

Aligning them with this tool :

[davescm]

I've just realised that you already have the drop shadow on a separate layer (I missed that sorry) . Try this instead

[So-graphic]

Thanks Dave,

But the whole group is centered, not just the product in it…

[davescm]

So-graphic  wrote

Thanks Dave,

But the whole group is centered, not just the product in it…

You were right - but if you add a step after making the group to hide visibility of the shadow layer - then centre the group - then turn back on the shadow layer - it centres on the product:

Dave

[So-graphic]

Thanks Dave,

Good point.

But now, how can I select the hidden-layer "shadow" without using my mouse (in order to prevent Photoshop from naming it in the script) ?

The shortcuts I've mentionned earlier only work for visible layer, not the hidden ones…

[davescm]

Hi

When recording the "hide" and "show" steps there is no need to select those layers - just click on the visibility icon (the eye symbol)

If that is not what you mean please explain further.

Dave

[So-graphic]

Thanks Dave,

When you just click on a layer to hide it while it's not the "active" one, the photoshop scripts writes :

"hide "shadow" layer"

And as I'm almost sure the whole visuals won't be properly named layer-by-layer, this action will block the script.

Just a single letter can do that. If the layer is called "Shadow" and not "shadow", the script will freeze.

That's why I prefer photoshop to "hide the active layer" as it won't name it into the script.

This is the reason why i'm using shortcuts instead of the mouse to select the right layer to work on.

Photoshop will write "hide top layer" instead of "hide "product" layer".

Again, I hope this is clear, sorry about the lack of appropriate words, I'm working on a french version of photoshop.

[davescm]

Yes that is very clear. There is nothing wrong with your English, it is much better than my French ☺.

Unfortunately I can't see a way to get around that limitation just using actions.

Dave

[So-graphic]

Thanks for your help anywya Dave,

The only way I found to "see" an hidden layer without clicking on the eyeball on its left is to right-click on any visible layer eyeball and select "hide/mask all others layers", but again, their names will appear on the scripts…:'(

[davescm]

I've just thought of a way.

Assign a keyboard shortcut to Layer Rename.

Then in actions step through the layers and name them

The remaining actions should now work by mouse clicking as you can guarantee the naming

Dave

[So-graphic]

I've assigned a shortcut to "hide layers" in the shortcut assignments (Opt + Shift + Cmd + K) = Cmd + Shift + M
Then If I Double use it, it first hide all the layers and then show them.

[davescm]

Good thinking - that will work without renaming the layers

Dave

[So-graphic]

Thanks a lot c.pfaffenbichler

The script is working with the "move-transform" action, but it must be done using the mouse and I'm wondering if it's not going to be a problem when I'll have to apply it to my 150 billion visual.

Do you think there would be a solution to automatically-align the object once "transforming-it" instead of drag and drop it at the center of my file ?

Thanks again

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Do you think there would be a solution to automatically-align the object once "transforming-it" instead of drag and drop it at the center of my file ?

A Script could evaluate the Layer Bounds of the one Layer, apply a transformation and use the same values on the other Layer.

But for that to work out the two Layers would have to be unequivocally identifiable.

How familiar are you with Photoshop Scripting?

Photoshop Scripting

[So-graphic]

Thanks c.pfaffenbichler

I know scripts a little bit and i also know that they don't like when you use the mouse and when you click to select a layer, because its name will be on the script.

That's why I prefer using shortcuts to navigate through layers instead of using my mouse.

Navigating through the layers into a script isn't a problem.

I'd like Photoshop to write "center the layer horizontally" and "center the layer vertically" instead of "shifting layer"

Sorry if i'm not crystal clear, my english is a little rusty

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Are you a French speaker?

Because I think in the French version »Actions« are called »Scripts«, which is misleading because Photoshop Scripts are something different, files written in VB, AS or ideally JavaScript.

And within those identifying and addressing Layers would need something that applies to all the files (naming or order or …), but if all files contain exactly three Layers with the topmost being the »object«, the middle one the »shadow« that would suffice to get reproducable results.

[So-graphic]

Yes, I'm French.

I'm using Photoshop CC now, and "scripts" has turned into "actions" also ^^.

I've tried the repeat-transformation into the script and it seems to work.

To avoid Photoshop to write "select PRODUCT/SHADOW/BACKGROUND layer" in the script, I use (Alt + , - ; - : or 😃 to navigate and select the wanted layer. So photoshop just understand "selecting foreground layer" or "selecting background layer" without naming them

Thank you SO much for your help, I was becoming crazy with this simple action.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You may still want to pursue a JavaScript solution if you are familiar with that language or want to »deepen« Photoshop automation beyond what Actions can accomplish.