Trying to Batch Process Images With a Recorded Levels Adjustment

[CouvCosmo]

Hi! I'm trying to apply the same Levels adjustment to a batch of images. I created a new Action, recorded my steps, brought up the Levels adjustments box and dragged both the left and right sliders in a bit.


The changed numbers are even noted on the Action step (68, 223).

But when I repeat the action on another file, the Levels action is basically ignored, there is no change to the subsequent images. 

What might I be doing wrong?

Thanks!

[LAMY2017]

"ignored," meaning the 68,223 doesn't appear in Levels? or the histogram is unchanged in other files when the action is run?

[CouvCosmo]

Sorry, the histogram is unchanged when the action is run.

[LAMY2017]

Thanks for clarifying. I'll try to reproduce. It may help me if you could post the .atn file here.

Ps>Presets>Actions>action.atn

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I created an action, 'simulate autolevels' -- Levels, moved sliders, Saved As. When I ran it on another photo, it worked (histogram different after running).

[Trevor.Dennis]

You need to save your settings as a Preset, and select that Preset in your Action.

[Conrad_C]

It works for me too, and I didn’t have to save it as a preset.

But I didn’t include a Close step, and there is a Close step in your action so that might be something to look at.

What happens in your Close step? (The screen shot doesn‘t show the details.) Does it specify a save format and location? I’m just wondering if there is a chance that, for example, it might be set to close without saving, because if it did that would explain why there was no change.

[Jeff Arola · Accepted solution]

I can reproduce and it fact this has been reported before.

If one has an image in Greyscale Color Mode and records an Image>Adjustments>Levels action, then trying to run the recorded action has no effect on a Greyscale image.

The same also happens with a Image>Adjustments>Curves action as well.

[CouvCosmo]

Thanks Jeff! I never even considered the color mode of the image.... but of course why would I!  Man, that is super disappointing I must say – I get AI features but something so simple doesn't work. I guess I need to switch color modes from greyscale to RGB and back again, as part of building this action. Again, THANKS!

[Jeff Arola]

If you do as Trevor Dennis suggests and save the intial Levels adjustment as a preset, then record your action using that preset, you shouldn't need to switch color modes.

[Stephen Marsh]

Previously discussed here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/action-with-pre-defined-inputs/m-p/15...

There's another topic thread which I can't find.

If you post this as a "bug" and not as a discussion, I'll add my vote!