P: Please add the ability for Command-J to dupe layers and layer groups

[marcbjango]

Command-J duplicates the entire current layer, or a portion of the current layer, if there’s a selection. It’s a great feature, and one I use daily.

For some strange reason, Command-J doesn’t do anything when there’s two layers or a layer group selected. Why? I realise there’s probably a decent technical reason for this, but a context sensitive “just dupe it” command would be really handy, even if it’s actually several different methods behind the scenes.

Is now a good time to mention that the Layer menu already contains an item that does most of these things, but it doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut by default? Pre-emptive strike: Assigning a keyboard shortcut wouldn’t help, as the menu item doesn’t duplicate selections within a layer (Command-J does).

Image is not available

[J453]

Marc, great idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Yelnats1]

A script could be made to do this (everything but use the cmd-j shortcut)
I'll try to put something together.

[marcbjango]

Right now I have it set up as command-J for dupe layer and dupe selection, plus command-shift-J for dupe layers and dupe group(s).

So there's already a good workaround. Just seems like it could be even better, allowing for faster workflows and less keyboard shortcuts. Less shortcuts for more ability.

[Yelnats1]

Ah.... I misunderstood. I thought you wanted to be able to dupe a selected potion from multiple layers... i.e. Command-J with a selection for multiple layers at once.

You were just asking to combine 2 shortcuts/commands into one a single command. That definitely makes sense.

If you would still find super cmd-j with a selection useful I could give you something 🙂

[hobbbz]

One of the first key commands I add is CMD+opt+G to dupe groups of layers. (It's not taken by anything I use)

[Edward Caruso Photography]

it would make sense to me that command-j would also dupe groups like it does layers. please add.

[marcbjango]

We have Copy Merged for doing that (which I use regularly!).

[Yelnats1]

This wouldn't merge them. I don't know how helpful that would be, though.

[Yelnats1]

Put this script into photoshop/presets/scripts and assign it to cmd-J. It should do exactly what you've requested.

try{
var idCpTL = charIDToTypeID( "CpTL" );
executeAction( idCpTL, undefined, DialogModes.NO );
}catch(e){
var idDplc = charIDToTypeID( "Dplc" );
var desc172 = 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 );
desc172.putReference( idnull, ref3 );
var idVrsn = charIDToTypeID( "Vrsn" );
desc172.putInteger( idVrsn, 5 );
executeAction( idDplc, desc172, DialogModes.NO );
}


[J453]

Cool.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

David Jensen, you rock. If you don't mind, I'm going to post the script on my blog tonight for everyone to use and download. If you mind, let me know, I won't keep it up. 🙂

[Yelnats1]

Here it is as a file:
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...

[Edward Caruso Photography]

David - that is great. thank you. Just wondering - can you script adjustment layers so that they always open in the CS3-style modal dialogues? I'm sure it can be done somehow.

[Yelnats1]

You can assign this script to a keyboard shortcut to modify any* adjustment layer with a modal dialog. (*it doesn't work with gradient maps, though.. not sure why). You can't override the double-click behavior with a script.
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...

A panel could be made to make new adjustment layers and automatically open their editor.

[Edward Caruso Photography]

Thanks again David that helps. But I'd love a preference in the next version of PS to have the modal windows replace the panel. I'm still trying to find ways to fully recreate modal dialogues like CS3. I feel that the adjustment panel is a big step backwards and it really slows me down. So many aspects of the panel bother me - I guess I'll start a proper feature request on this site. if you have any other adjustment layer scripts i would definetly check them out.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

The script could do with a header. I wrote one but cannot post it here (see image). Grrr! Still cannot do it.

}

Image is not available

[davep61284792]

agreed. seems dumb simple to me.

[davep61284792]

Thats an interesting script, but honestly why do we have to do this manually when it should be a feature?

[J453]

The point of this site is for folks to make feature requests for improvements directly to Photoshop - and this idea is a good one that's under consideration. A side benefit is that cool users like David Jensen and Shangara are posting helpful scripts to help improve users workflows in the meantime.

[marcbjango]

It seems like a perfect demonstration of why scripting ability and direct feedback to the Photoshop team is a great combination. It lets fringe features be built and tested.

"Should be a feature" only exists after someone—either from the public or at Adobe—has suggested it.

I've been pushing for this feature for almost a year now and am very excited that maybe some day soon it'll be part of Photoshop and therefore accelerate my workflow.

[s_mahn]

David's script is fantastic. Thanks David.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

David, I know this is basic, but how do I 'assign' your script to cmd-J? I am able to see the scrip in CS5 extended and run it manually. I can also assign a F key to run the script, but how do I have the cmd-J to run it? Thanks in advance

[Yelnats1]

Assign it using the keyboard shortcuts dialog (Edit->Keyboard Shortcuts...)

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Great script, David! I've been looking for a temporary solution to this.

[p-guell]

Simple solution:
If you select the layers or groups you want to dupe,
you can option - drag right on the layers palette, up or down.
This will duplicate multiple layers very easily.
No script needed. Adobe is vaguely aware of this.

[Personally, I would rather this didn't work this way...
I would like a preference or documented keyboard shortcut so I could stop it!]