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Inspiring
August 27, 2024
Question

Saving multiple jpegs is still an absolute disaster !

  • August 27, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 566 views

Saving multiple jpegs is still an absolute disaster ! All PSD files are flattened when saving jpegs, without any request to save changes to the PSD files.

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3 replies

Legend
August 27, 2024

I have a script/actions which open a batch of JPEG files, read metadata and add it as text layers, format those layers, save a layered PSD, and use Save for Web to export a finished JPEG. Photoshop has a lot of tools for batch processing, have you tried recording an action or Image Processor?

D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 27, 2024

Since Apple removed the APIs that enabled direct saving a copy to jpeg, you need to use Save A Copy, which splits out a copy from the original PSD.

 

To save a file directly to jpeg, it needs to be flat, 8 bit, no transparency or alpha channels. That's just the jpeg specification.

 

All changes in Photoshop's save protocol in later versions are caused by Apple removing these APIs, forcing Adobe to come up with workarounds.

Inspiring
August 27, 2024

I am aware of this.

The issue is that when you use the 'automate batch' to convert PSD files to JPEGs, the original PSD files are flattened and saved without any warning. This results in the loss of all the work you've put into deep etching and editing layers, effectively wasting hundreds of hours of effort. Any further editing would require starting from scratch, which is completely unacceptable!

D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 27, 2024

Would't that depend on the action the batch is running?

 

Personally I avoid all these problems by directing all batches to an "outbox" folder on my desktop, with all actions ending in Close No Save. That eliminates any possibility of changing the originals.