[scripting] Delete Hidden Layers in preselected Group only

[Signfeld]

I know there are many threads about deleting hidden layers but my insight seems not deep enough to cobble it together for layers inside a selected group *only* ...

Suppose I've already selected only one Group manually or by action step.

This group will have no nested groups.

I'd now like a script that deletes any hidden layer — only within the selected group.

Thank you for any help!

[Manan Joshi]

Hi there,

Try the following code

var a= activeDocument.activeLayer
if(a.typename == "LayerSet")
	for(var i = 0; i < a.layers.length; i++)
		a.layers[i].visible || a.layers[i].remove()

-Manan

[Signfeld]

Thanks!  Very compact but it does not fully work...

It seems to always work when there is just one invisible layer.

When there are more, it depends where they are.

An example where it fails is if I use 4 layers inside the group and the two middle ones are invisible. It will then delete only the first invisible one.

P.S. I'm only using like 5 simple pixel and adjustment layers trying it out..

[Signfeld]

It seems the problem occurs only when two or more consecutive layers are invisible.

Doesn't work for ...

invisible

invisible

visible

visible

Works ...

invisible

visible

invisible

visible

[Manan Joshi · Accepted solution]

Try a new version

var a= activeDocument.activeLayer
if(a.typename == "LayerSet")
	for(var i = a.layers.length - 1; i >= 0; i--)
		a.layers[i].visible || a.layers[i].remove()

-Manan

[Signfeld]

That seems perfect!

Thank you very, very much, Manan!  Have a great weekend 🙂

P.S.

When you Undo step by step, one of the invisible layers will now be visible. No problem to me — just a warning for other users.

[Manan Joshi · Accepted solution]

For a single step undo try the following

activeDocument.suspendHistory("removeHiddenLayer", "removeHiddenLayer()")
function removeHiddenLayer()
{
	var a= activeDocument.activeLayer
	if(a.typename == "LayerSet")
		for(var i = a.layers.length - 1; i >= 0; i--)
			a.layers[i].visible || a.layers[i].remove()
}

P.S. :- I have never manipulated history in PS and am new to PS scripting as well, based on my exp with InDesign scripting(that is what i do mostly) manipulating history could sometimes cause issue. So please do test to be certain all works fine with this code snippet

-Manan

[Signfeld]

That works fine! Thank you again, Manan! 🙂