Script: Delete selected layer, if empty.

[Jeff S GP2]

There are various ways to delete all layers that are empty, but is there a script which can detect if the "selected" layer is empty, and if so, delete it?
Thanks!
Jeff

[Manan Joshi]

Doesn't the "Delete All Empty layers" script shipped with PS work for you.

-Manan

[Jeff S GP2]

Thanks Manan,

I have several layers that are empty, which i need to keep.

This action is part of a larger script.

For this part, it focuses on a selected layer, and remove it, if empty.

Thanks

Jeff

[Jef Bracke · Accepted solution]

Manan is right, you can find everything in the Delete All Empty Layers.jsx file already on your computer (it comes with Photoshop).

Here's some code that should be pretty close to what you need that comes out of Manan's file.

var layer = //your code to get the selected layer the way you need it

//check if layer can be removed (ie: is not locked & has no linked layers)
if(!( layer.allLocked || layer.pixelsLocked || layer.positionLocked || layer.transparentPixelsLocked ||(0 != layer.linkedLayers.length))){ // linked
    //check if text & if text, if also empty or if width/height == 0 (ie nothing on the layer)
    if((LayerKind.TEXT == layer.kind && "" == layer.textItem.contents) || ( 0 == layer.bounds[2] && (0 == layer.bounds[3])) ) {
        // remove layer
        layer.remove();
    }
}

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Wouldn’t 

( 0 == layer.bounds[2] && (0 == layer.bounds[3])

theoretically also identify Layers that are off-canvas and the lower right corner of whic is exactly in the top left corner of the canvas? 

[Jeff S GP2]

Thank you for the help!

.. but,  being the noob that i am, and many failed attempts, not sure how i can indicate this to work with the selected layer?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Stephen_A_Marsh · Accepted solution]

Adding to the fantastic code from Jef_Bracke1:

var layer = app.activeDocument.activeLayer;
var layerName = layer.name;

// check if layer can be removed (ie: is not locked & has no linked layers)
if (!(layer.allLocked || layer.pixelsLocked || layer.positionLocked || layer.transparentPixelsLocked || (0 !== layer.linkedLayers.length))) { // linked
    // check if text & if text, if also empty or if width/height == 0 (ie nothing on the layer)
    if ((LayerKind.TEXT === layer.kind && "" === layer.textItem.contents) || (0 === layer.bounds[2] && (0 === layer.bounds[3]))) {
        // remove layer
        layer.remove();
        alert('Active layer "' + layerName + '" removed!');
    }
    else {
        alert('This layer is not empty!');
    }
}

[Jef Bracke]

Hahaha, nuts, almost got a right solution there... 🙂

I left the activeLayer part out on purpose to encourage OP to get acquainted with the Photoshop Scripting Reference.

For OP: the following link takes you to Photoshop Scripting documentation.

Application

Alternatively, the following link presents the same information in a slightly different way. Somehow, when I'm stuck using the first link, my brain "gets it" using this one: (I suppose it doesn't make any sense, but it works for me)

Application

If you're ever stuck on something, it often pays off to go to either one and look around.

Another link I can highly recommend is this one which deals less with Photoshop and more with "how to code/script"

https://estk.aenhancers.com/

Good luck almost namesake!

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

I gave the OP a break, it wasn't so long ago that I was there too, it will all come with time and more critically with experience.

[Jef Bracke]

Your compasion graces you.

It makes sense, I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

Also: 1st solution! A celebratory cup of coffee is due. 😉

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

As a relative scripting newb, I understand how easy it is to "miss the obvious"!

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

I marked Jef's reply as the correct answer, my additions to the base code  were superficial.

[r-bin · Accepted solution]

This script removes empty layers among selected.

var r = new ActionReference();    
r.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("targetLayersIDs"));
r.putEnumerated(stringIDToTypeID("document"), stringIDToTypeID("ordinal"), stringIDToTypeID("targetEnum"));

var list = executeActionGet(r).getList(stringIDToTypeID("targetLayersIDs"));

var selected = new Array();
var ids = new Array();

for (var i = 0; i < list.count; i++) selected.push(list.getReference(i).getIdentifier());

for (var i = 0; i < selected.length; i++) 
    {
    var r = new ActionReference();    
    r.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("bounds"));
    r.putIdentifier(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), selected[i]);

    var bounds = executeActionGet(r).getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID("bounds"));

    var x0 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("left"));
    var x1 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("right"));
    var y0 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("top"));
    var y1 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("bottom"));

    if (!x0 && !x1 && !y0 && !y1) ids.push(selected[i]);
    }

if (ids.length)
    {
    var r = new ActionReference();
    for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) r.putIdentifier(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), ids[i]);

    var d = new ActionDescriptor();
    d.putReference(stringIDToTypeID("null"), r);
    executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("delete"), d, DialogModes.NO); 
    }

[Jeff S GP2]

Thanks for the help, and  scripts!

Stephen_A_Marsh,   The addition was just what i needed to make it work,  Thanks!

r-bin,  Also, thanks for the script!,   Although it gave me this error.

"- The command 'Get' is not currently available.
Line: 5"

Thanks again for all the help!

Jeff

[r-bin]

Which version of photoshop?

My script does not work in low-end Photoshop like CS6.
But it is possible to remake.

[Jeff S GP2]

I'm using CS6.. lol

Thanks!

[r-bin · Accepted solution]

Option for CS6

var r = new ActionReference();    
r.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("targetLayers"));
r.putEnumerated(stringIDToTypeID("document"), stringIDToTypeID("ordinal"), stringIDToTypeID("targetEnum"));

var list = executeActionGet(r).getList(stringIDToTypeID("targetLayers"));

var selected = new Array();
var ids = new Array();

for (var i = 0; i < list.count; i++) selected.push(list.getReference(i).getIndex());

for (var i = 0; i < selected.length; i++) 
    {
    var r = new ActionReference();    
    r.putProperty(stringIDToTypeID("property"), stringIDToTypeID("bounds"));
    r.putIndex(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), selected[i]);

    var bounds = executeActionGet(r).getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID("bounds"));

    var x0 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("left"));
    var x1 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("right"));
    var y0 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("top"));
    var y1 = bounds.getUnitDoubleValue(stringIDToTypeID("bottom"));

    if (!x0 && !x1 && !y0 && !y1) ids.push(selected[i]);
    }

if (ids.length)
    {
    var r = new ActionReference();
    for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) r.putIndex(stringIDToTypeID("layer"), ids[i]);

    var d = new ActionDescriptor();
    d.putReference(stringIDToTypeID("null"), r);
    executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("delete"), d, DialogModes.NO); 
    }

[Jeff S GP2]

Thanks, r-bin!

I'll test this when im back home.

Cheers!

[Kukurykus]

In case you were not able to be back home I marked previous answer as working solution 😉