How can I refresh the Photoshop UI before displaying an alert()?

[Bazsl]

I have a script that moves the layers on a document to new locations then displays an alert() dialog to remind the user what s/he should do next. The problem is that when the alert() dialog appears the layers appear to be in their old positions. When the user closes the alert() dialog the PS UI immediately refreshes and shows the layers in their new positions. Is there any way to force or allow the PS UI to refresh before I display the alert() dialog? Thanks.

[JJMack · Accepted solution]

refresh();

[Bazsl]

That's what I needed. Thanks.

[schroef]

Im going benanas why a refresh still doesnt help when trying to edit a smartobject. My code is run before that windows is openened even when i try a sleep, redraw or a refresh?!?!

// Save JPOG from places smartbojects
// https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/smart-object-automation-script/td-p/8877231?page=1

#target photoshop


function cTID(s) { return app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
function sTID(s) { return app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };

if (app.documents.length > 0) {
    var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
    var theName = myDocument.name.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1];
    var thePath = myDocument.path;
    var theLayer = myDocument.activeLayer;
    // jpg options;
    var jpgopts = new JPEGSaveOptions();
    jpgopts.embedProfile = true;
    jpgopts.formatOptions = FormatOptions.STANDARDBASELINE;
    jpgopts.matte = MatteType.NONE;
    jpgopts.quality = 8;
    // check if layer is smart object;
    if (theLayer.kind != "LayerKind.SMARTOBJECT") {
        alert("selected layer is not a smart object")
    } else {
        // select files;
        if ($.os.search(/windows/i) != -1) {
            var theFiles = File.openDialog("please select files", "*.psd;*.tif;*.jpg;*.jpeg;", true)
        } else {
            var theFiles = File.openDialog("please select files", getFiles, true)
        };
        // select Folder;
        // var theFolder = Folder.selectDialog("select folder");
        if (theFiles) {
            // var theFiles = theFolder.getFiles(/\.(jpg|tif|eps|psd|png)$/i);
            // Select destination folder
            var destinationFolder = Folder.selectDialog("Please select a destination folder");
            // work through the array;
            for (var m = 0; m < theFiles.length; m++) {
                // replace smart object;
                // theLayer = replaceContents(theFiles, theLayer);
                // var editFile = runMenuItem(stringIDToTypeID('placedLayerEditContents'));
                var editSO = editContent(theFiles[m]);
                if(editSO){
                    app.refresh()
                    alert(app.activeDocument)
                    // var edtDoc = app.activeDocument;
                    // alert(edtDoc)
                    // var size= getSmartObjectInternalSize();
                    // alert(size.width)
                    // var theNewName = theFiles[m].name.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1];
                    //save jpg;
                    // myDocument.saveAs((new File(destinationFolder.toString() + "/" + theName + "_" + theNewName + ".jpg")), jpgopts, true);

                }
            }
        };
    }
};

////// get psds, tifs and jpgs from files //////
    function getFiles(theFile) {
        if (theFile.name.match(/\.(psd|tif|png|jpg|jpeg)$/i) != null || theFile.constructor.name == "Folder") {
            return true
        };
    };
////// replace contents //////
function replaceContents(newFile, theSO) {
    app.activeDocument.activeLayer = theSO;
    // =======================================================
    var idplacedLayerReplaceContents = stringIDToTypeID("placedLayerReplaceContents");
    var desc3 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID("null");
    desc3.putPath(idnull, new File(newFile));
    var idPgNm = charIDToTypeID("PgNm");
    desc3.putInteger(idPgNm, 1);
    executeAction(idplacedLayerReplaceContents, desc3, DialogModes.NO);

    return app.activeDocument.activeLayer
};

function editContent(newFile){
    var desc80 = new ActionDescriptor();
    executeAction( stringIDToTypeID('placedLayerEditContents'), desc80, DialogModes.NO );
    // app.refresh();
    // $.sleep(1000);
    function placeImage(theFile){
        
        if(app.documents.length > 1){
            alert(app.documents.length)
            var desc174 = new ActionDescriptor();
            desc174.putInteger( cTID('Idnt'), 885 );
            desc174.putPath( cTID('null'), new File(newFile));
            // desc174.putPath( cTID('null'), new File( "/Volumes/_MINDFLOW/_MINDFLOW/CLIENTS/Allusion/Export/Mockups/Rombout-Mockup-01-v8/Mockuo-08-GRID-Tags-Drk.jpg" ) );
            desc174.putBoolean( cTID('Lnkd'), true );
            desc174.putEnumerated( cTID('FTcs'), cTID('QCSt'), cTID('Qcsa') );
                var desc175 = new ActionDescriptor();
                desc175.putUnitDouble( cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Pxl'), 0.000000 );
                desc175.putUnitDouble( cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Pxl'), 0.000000 );
            desc174.putObject( cTID('Ofst'), cTID('Ofst'), desc175 );
            desc174.putUnitDouble( cTID('Wdth'), cTID('#Prc'), 234.782609 );
            desc174.putUnitDouble( cTID('Hght'), cTID('#Prc'), 234.697509 );
            executeAction( cTID('Plc '), desc174, DialogModes.NO );
        } else {
            $.sleep(500);
            placeImage(theFile)
        }
    }
    

    // app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.SAVECHANGES);
    return true
}

function getSmartObjectInternalSize() {
	// =======================================================
	var idplacedLayerEditContents = stringIDToTypeID( "placedLayerEditContents" );
    var desc17 = new ActionDescriptor();
	executeAction( idplacedLayerEditContents, desc17, DialogModes.NO );
	
	var size=new Object();
	size.width=app.activeDocument.width.as("pixels");
	size.height=app.activeDocument.height.as("pixels");
	
	// app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
	return size;
}