Photoshop Action specifics

[ClaytonKing]

Hello all - I'm a newbie to writing PS actions and need some basic help - searching the www has not yielded me the answers I'm looking for...

I'm trying to create a template for a collage image made up of multiple layers/masks, and want to use an action to populate it.

For example, my base document has 6 layers, each with a mask for a square in the grid. The layers/masks are named 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 (so two rows of three masks). The goal is to have the action prompt the user to place an image on top of a chosen layer and then clip the layer to the underlying mask. Layer 1.1, for example, has a mask of just that square. In my action, I want to place an image in the document, program a Stop, and have the user move/scale the placed image over square 1.1. Then I want the action to clip the placed image to that layer/mask. I then want to repeat that for each square on the grid.

I'm having trouble with a couple of things: 1) how to record the Place command without recording the file selected; 2) how to set the selection to the next layer (1.2) and then carry out the same set of instructions. Sorry of this isn't clear - trying to explain it while performing the steps.

Here is a quick view:

[JJMack]

Photoshop Action are not written they are recorded and edited they are not  programs you write like Photoshop Scripts. Action are a sequence of Photoshop steps that are recordet into a Photoshop Action.  Actions can populate a fixed number of image in template that have that number of Images.  Actions can not use logic to find out how many images are Photoshop template contains the populate that many images.  Photoshop Scripts can.

Photo Collage Toolkit

Photoshop scripting is powerful and I believe this package demonstrates this. Here is a video showing a 5 image collage PSD template  being populated with images

The package includes four simple rules to follow when making Photo Collage Template PSD files so they will be compatible with my Photoshop scripts.

1. Size the photo collage templates for the print size you want - width, height and print DPI resolution.
2. Photo collage templates must have a Photoshop background layer. The contents of this layer can be anything.
3. Photo collage templates must have alpha channels named "Image 1", "Image 2", ... "Image n".
4. Photo collage templates layers above the background layers must provide transparent areas to let the images that will be placed below them show through.

There are fifteen scripts in this package they provide the following functions:

1. HelpPhotoCollageToolkit.jsx - Online Help
2. TestCollageTemplate.jsx - Used to test a Photo Collage Template while you are making it with Photoshop.
3. CollageTemplateBuilder.jsx - Can build Templates compatible with this toolkit's scripts.
4. LayerToAlphaChan.jsx - Used to convert a Prototype Image Layer stack into a template document.
5. InteractivePopulateCollage.jsx - Used to interactively populate Any Photo Collage template. Offers most user control inserting pictures and text.
6. ReplaceCollageImage.jsx - use to replace a populated collage image Smart Object layer with an other image correctly resized and positioned.
7. ChangeTextSize.jsx - This script can be used to change Image stamps text size when the size used by the populating did not work well.
8. PopulateCollageTemplate.jsx - Used to Automatically populate a Photo Collage template and leave the populated copy open in Photoshop.
9. BatchOneImageCollage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Collage templates that only have one image inserted. The Collage or Image may be stamped with text.
10. BatchMultiImageCollage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Any Photo Collage template with images in a source image folder. Easier to use than the interactive script. Saved collages can be tweaked.
11. PasteImageRoll.jsx - Paste Images into a document to be print on roll paper.
12. BatchPicturePackage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Any Photo Collage template with an image in a source image folder.  Images Rotates for best fit.
13. BatchPicturePackageNoRotate.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Any Photo Collage template with an image in a source image folder.
14. PopulatePicturePackage.jsx - Used to Automatically populate a Photo Collage template Fill with the same single image and leave the populated copy open in Photoshop.
15. PCTpreferences.jsx - Edit This File to Customize Collage Populating scripts default setting and add your own Layer styles.