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A
Anonymous
January 3, 2013
Answered

Stacking video frames

  • January 3, 2013
  • 2 replies
  • 3616 views

Hi everybody,

I need a bit of help getting started with a script for photoshop CS6.

I've seen that it's possible (Even if not supported) to have a script open individual video frames.  What I need is to take each frame and apply it with lighten blend mode to the frames before it.

The result should be a single image image with a single layer (JPG, PNG, TIFF, whatever...) .

This shouldn't be too complex of a script, right?  I don't remember much about photoshop scripting, so any help would be welcome!

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Michael_L_Hale

If I understand what you want this should do all but the final save. Note it could take a long time if there are a lot of frames.

// this requires a document with a video layer be the activeDocument
// and the video layer be the activeLayer. It also requires the timeline panel be visible
var vidDoc = app.activeDocument;
var dupDoc = vidDoc.duplicate();
dupDoc.flatten();
app.activeDocument = vidDoc;
var numerOfFrames = GetFrameCount();
for( var f =0; f< numerOfFrames; f++ ){
    GotoNextFrame();
    vidDoc.selection.selectAll();
    executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "CpTL" ), undefined, DialogModes.NO );// jump frame to new layer
    vidDoc.activeLayer.duplicate(dupDoc);
    vidDoc.activeLayer.remove();
    app.activeDocument = dupDoc;
    dupDoc.activeLayer.blendMode = BlendMode.LIGHTEN;
    dupDoc.flatten();
    app.activeDocument = vidDoc;
}
function GetFrameCount(){
    var ref = new ActionReference();
     ref.putProperty( charIDToTypeID( 'Prpr' ), stringIDToTypeID( "frameCount" ) );
     ref.putClass( stringIDToTypeID( "timeline" ) );
     var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
     desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID( 'null' ), ref );
     var resultDesc = executeAction( charIDToTypeID( 'getd' ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
     
     return resultDesc.getInteger( stringIDToTypeID( "frameCount" ) );
};
function GotoNextFrame() {
     var thatWorked = undefined;
     try {
          var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
          var ref = new ActionReference();
          ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Mn  " ), charIDToTypeID( "MnIt" ), stringIDToTypeID( "timelineGoToNextFrame" ) );
          desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref );
          executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "slct" ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
          thatWorked = true;
     }
     catch(e) {
          thatWorked = false;
          alert('All frames are processed.');
     }
     return thatWorked;
};

2 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 3, 2013

I've seen that it's possible (Even if not supported) to have a script open individual video frames.

Where have you seen this?

A
Anonymous
January 3, 2013

Here:

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/726287

It's from 2010, so that would be CS4 or CS5, but I'm hoping it could be done with CS6.

I do have access to CS5 too, if necessary.

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 4, 2013

c,pfaffenbichler, I'd try it yself, but now photoshop won't lemme open video files (DynamicLink media server unavailable)...

When you look at the duplicate layers, do they all look the same, or does each layer has a different frame in it?

Thanks!


Inserting this code

var idslct = charIDToTypeID( "slct" );

var desc154 = new ActionDescriptor();

var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );

var ref135 = new ActionReference();

var idMn = charIDToTypeID( "Mn " );

var idMnIt = charIDToTypeID( "MnIt" );

var idtimelineGoToLastFrame = stringIDToTypeID( "timelineGoToLastFrame" );

ref135.putEnumerated( idMn, idMnIt, idtimelineGoToLastFrame );

desc154.putReference( idnull, ref135 );

executeAction( idslct, desc154, DialogModes.NO );

before the flattening line might help.

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 3, 2013

I for one find your explanation unclear.

What do you start with, a stack of numbered images or a file with Layers …?

Could you please post a screenshot or mock-up to illustrate what you are trying to achieve?

A
Anonymous
January 3, 2013

I suppose a run down of the algorithm might help explain what I need.

I start with an .AVI file.

1) Open first frame as base layer (Layer 0)

2) Open second frame as a new layer (layer 1)

3) Change blend mode of layer 1 to Lighten

4) Flatten image (Again, we have only leyer 0)

5) Repeat 2 to 4 untill last frame

6) Save flattened image.

I end up with a JPG or whatever other image file format.

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 3, 2013

Have you tried File > Import > Video Frames to Layers?

Somebody needed help once with digitally simulating film being exposed to a complete movie (so something like a 90-plus-minute exposure) and in that case Layer > Smart Objects > Stack Mode provided a better approach than Blending the Layers directly. This may not at all be what you are after, but I wanted to mention it just in case.

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