splits layers and puts them into groups

[Mohamed Hameed]

Greetings to all for the most wonderful forum, which serves many of its followers

I am working on a file with more than 500 layers

I want a script that splits layers and puts them into groups based on an input value

For example, I want to set a value for example 50 to choose 50 layers and place them inside a group named with the number of layers
--- Then select all the remaining layers and insert a value for example 30 to choose 30 layers and place them within a group named with the number of layers..... etc.

[ActionNodes]

Hello, you can try ActionNodes to create such an action yourself. It's pretty easy.

[Charu Rajput]

Hi @Mohamed Hameed 

When you say, you set a value 50 to choose 50 layers, what does it means

1. 50 layers alreday selected?

2. you want to select 50 layers. if yes, which 50 layers, first 50 , last 50 or alternative. How you will decide which 50 layers.

If you can show some samples that will be helpful for us to guide you in right direction.

[Mohamed Hameed]

@Charu Rajput 

To clearly explain what is required
I have a file with for example 500 layers or more and they are all the same size
I want to make groups for the layers, but with different numbers for each group

For example, I want to choose 50 layers and put them in a group named 50 layers
Choose 30 layers and place them in a group named 30 layers

-- As for the selection of layers, the layers are selected from top to bottom..with the exclusion of the layers and groups that have been created

Best regards

[Charu Rajput · Accepted solution]

@Mohamed Hameed 

You can try the following script

deSelectAllLayers();
var _layers = app.activeDocument.artLayers;
var _name = prompt('Enter number : ', '');
if (_name) {
    _groupLength = Number(_name);
    if (!isNaN(_groupLength)) {
        if (_groupLength != 0 && _groupLength <= _layers.length) {
            for (var i = 0; i < _groupLength; i++) {
                selectLayerByID(_layers[i].id, true);
            }
            groupSelectedLayers(_name);
        } else {
            alert('Either you entered 0 or entered number is higher than the number of layers present in the document');
        }
    } else {
        alert('Enter value is not the number')
    }
}

function groupSelectedLayers(theName) {
    var desc159 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var ref114 = new ActionReference();
    var idlayer = stringIDToTypeID("layer");
    var idordinal = stringIDToTypeID("ordinal");
    var idtargetEnum = stringIDToTypeID("targetEnum");
    var idnull = stringIDToTypeID("null");
    var idname = stringIDToTypeID("name");
    ref114.putEnumerated(idlayer, idordinal, idtargetEnum);
    desc159.putReference(idnull, ref114);
    desc159.putString(idname, "aaa");
    executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("groupLayersEvent"), desc159, DialogModes.NO);
    var desc63 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var ref37 = new ActionReference();
    ref37.putEnumerated(idlayer, idordinal, idtargetEnum);
    desc63.putReference(idnull, ref37);
    var desc64 = new ActionDescriptor();
    desc64.putString(idname, theName);
    desc63.putObject(stringIDToTypeID("to"), idlayer, desc64);
    executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("set"), desc63, DialogModes.NO)
}

function selectLayerByID(index, add) {
    add = undefined ? add = false : add
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), index);
    var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
    desc.putReference(charIDToTypeID("null"), ref);
    if (add) desc.putEnumerated(stringIDToTypeID("selectionModifier"), stringIDToTypeID("selectionModifierType"), stringIDToTypeID("addToSelection"));
    desc.putBoolean(charIDToTypeID("MkVs"), false);
    try {
        executeAction(charIDToTypeID("slct"), desc, DialogModes.NO);
    } catch (e) {
        alert(e.message);
    }
};

function deSelectAllLayers() {
    var idselectNoLayers = stringIDToTypeID("selectNoLayers");
    var desc26 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID("null");
    var ref3 = new ActionReference();
    var idLyr = charIDToTypeID("Lyr ");
    var idOrdn = charIDToTypeID("Ordn");
    var idTrgt = charIDToTypeID("Trgt");
    ref3.putEnumerated(idLyr, idOrdn, idTrgt);
    desc26.putReference(idnull, ref3);
    executeAction(idselectNoLayers, desc26, DialogModes.NO);
}

Reference links

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/photoshop-script-how-to-select-multi-...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-can-i-deselect-all-layers/td-p/96....

Note: The above script will not take care of nested structure of the layers.

[Mohamed Hameed]

@Charu Rajput 

majesty, grandeur, grandeur
How great you are and how clever you are
Thank you for your interest and for helping me

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

@Charu Rajput – Excellent work!

[Charu Rajput]

@Stephen_A_Marsh - It is only possible with the support of all of us.