Resizing layer to a specific size in action (not percentage)

[lilyr43181568]

Hello,

I am trying to create an action to help me edit images for my store. There are several steps to editing each picture, and therefore I decided making an action would be easier to go through everything. 

I have 2 layers, one is the item (without a background)  and one is the background. I would like the item to always have the same width, that way it looks a bit more uniform on the website. However, since they are different objects, before making them the same size, they always have different sizes.

My issue is, when I do the action, and use transform to make the item layer a specific size, it is translated into a percentage. Therefore, the images are resized by a specific percentage, instead of resizing to a specific size, like I wished. The action says "Transform current layer" and then the Width is for example 76,9%. But as you can imagine, different sizes, resized to 76,9% mean different final pixel sizes.

Does anyone know how to make an action that resizes the image always to a specific pixel size and not percentage? 

 

[JJMack]

You will most likely need to write a script you can use in your action.  Actions can not use logic and actions record layer transforms as a relative transform to current layer size you record the action on . Also when you transform a layer you should only use a constrained transform like the one in your action where the width and height are resized by the same percentage.  its a simple calculation.  The percentage would be  YourWidthPixel/LayerBowndsWidth*100.

However what you need is a Template for the Web  page you want. Then you can populate your images into the template.   A simple two image collage template.  Free Photoshop Photo Collage and Toolkit 

[rob day · Accepted solution]

The JS to resize a layer to a specified pixel width would be something like this where the active layer is resized to 500 pixels:

#target photoshop
var pxWidth = 500;

resizePixelWidth(app.activeDocument.activeLayer, pxWidth)


/**
* Resize layer to specified pixel width
* @Param the layer to resize 
* @Param the resized pixel width 
* @Return void 
* 
*/
function resizePixelWidth(l, pw){
    preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
    var b = l.bounds;
    var w = b[2]-b[0];
    var s = (pw/w)*100;
    l.resize(s, s, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER)
    return 
}

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

Thanks for sharing Rob!

I would advise adding the following line of code before the function (either before or after the first var):

var origRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;

Then add this as the last line, outside the function:

app.preferences.rulerUnits = origRulerUnits;

This way the user's original ruler unit values are returned after the layer resize.

[lilyr43181568]

Thank you so much! The code was really helpful!

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

The alternative that does record pixels is to convert the layer to a smart object, then edit the smart object and resize (using fit image, image size etc). Then close and save the smart object to update the layer.

[JJMack]

Stephen that will resize every layer in the document not a particular image layer

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

Stephen that will resize every layer in the document not a particular image layer

Of course it won't do that!

Only the layer is being converted to a SO, not the entire document.

Layer panel options menu, convert to smart object. Only the active/targeted/selected layer is turned into a SO.

I did test this before posting, you obviously didn't.

[JJMack]

Fit image resized the document not a single layer here the code in fit image.  I missed the part where you wrote edit the object that  is why I made the post.  My error... Yes the smart would be resized.  If not a good thing to do if you are populating a mockp template.  Replacement need to be resized to fit the object.

function ResizeTheImage(width, height) {
	var oldPref = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
	var docWidth;
	var docHeight;
	var docRatio;
	var newWidth;
	var newHeight;
	var resolution = app.activeDocument.resolution;
	var limit = sizeInfo.limit;

    app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS; // save old preferences

	// original width, height
	docWidth = (1.0 * app.activeDocument.width * resolution) / 72.0; // decimal inches assuming 72 dpi (used in docRatio)
	docHeight = (1.0 * app.activeDocument.height * resolution) / 72.0; // ditto

	if (docWidth < 1.0 || docHeight < 1.0)
		return true; // error

	if (width < 1 || height < 1)
		return true; // error

	if ( limit && ( app.activeDocument.width.as('px') <= width && app.activeDocument.height.as('px') <= height ) ){
		app.preferences.rulerUnits = oldPref; // restore old prefs
		isCancelled = false; // if get here, definitely executed
		return false; // no error
	}

	docRatio = docWidth / docHeight; // decimal ratio of original width/height

	newWidth = width;
	newHeight = ((1.0 * width) / docRatio); // decimal calc

	if (newHeight > height) {
		newWidth = docRatio * height; // decimal calc
		newHeight = height;
	}

    // resize the image using a good conversion method while keeping the pixel resolution
    // and the aspect ratio the same
    app.activeDocument.resizeImage(newWidth, newHeight, resolution, ResampleMethod.BICUBIC);
    app.preferences.rulerUnits = oldPref; // restore old prefs
	isCancelled = false; // if get here, definitely executed
	return false; // no error
}

[Bende28934224bznm]

I am dealing with the same problem, where and what you have to do with the smart object to work?

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

I am dealing with the same problem, where and what you have to do with the smart object to work?

By @Bende28934224bznm

1) Convert the layer to a smart object layer (presuming a pixel layer)

2) Double click to edit the smart object layer, a new window will open with the .psb file

3) Use image size or the automate/fit image command to work in pixels, this will be recorded as a pixel unit adjustment and not % based in an action

4) Save and close the .psb file

5) The layer will be updated in the original file. You can convert the smart object back to a layer, or rasterize the layer etc.

[M@tti@]

Hi all,

Trying the above but getting stuck. It all goes well if I do it manually, but with a recorded action, it gives an error at the saving step. How can I solve it?

Thank you in advance
Mattia