Trying to create and batch populate picture frame template

[JillyC12345]

Hi there. I have managed to create my own 'mock up' template which has a picture frame on it that I can use to put in my own image. I just did this by selecting the inner image area, creating a clipping mask and then converting to smart object. However what I ideally would like is to create a template that I could use to automate for batch processing. ie. I have over 100 images that I would like to insert into the picture frame and then save these as individual files, named individually as per the inserted image. Here is an example of my picture frame file:

My query is a little like this one I think How to fit image in particular frame?

Which I understand that Bojan Živković​ helped with. Except I have a picture frame rather than a games box.

I have also tried to use .JJMack​'s PhotoCollageToolkit which looks as if may solve the problem but I am getting various error messages. When I try to use the Collage Template Builder I get this error message:

and when I just take the plunge and test the template with the TestCollageTemplate script I get this error message:

I am using PS CS6 only version 13.0 x64. I appreciate that it must have taken hours and hours to create something like this ToolKit and I am sure many many people have benefited from it.

Please excuse my extremely basic PS knowledge as I am new to this. I am sure there must be an easier way! If anyone can advise I'd really appreciate it as it would save me hours and hours of work. Thanks!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I think you should post on the Photoshop Scripting Forum instead the general Photoshop Forum.

But who can tell what your issue is for sure as you have not included a screenshot of the template file’s Layers Panel?

[JillyC12345]

Oh tx for that. Do you think I should do another post then in the Scripting Forum, including a better screenshot? Or should I wait to see what happens with this one so as not to duplicate? Sorry - am completely new to this as you can guess! Had no idea there were even more specific forums!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

A Forum moderator might move the thread over but I would recommend you just go ahead and post over there:

Photoshop Scripting

[JillyC12345]

OK thanks - done + have replaced my picture.

[Norman Sanders]

Copy the list from the Files folder in the Mac Dock > Finder and Paste into Excel

[Norman Sanders]

You may want to check into Photoshop's Variables feature .By creating a template and a small spreadsheet of variables, the job can then be automated. One limitation as that the newly created files cannot be automatically named according to the inserted image file name. Check out the 9 minute video by Julieanne Kost called "Working with Variables." You will find it in this collection: Photoshop Tutorials by Julieanne Kost  (In your case, you may ignore the reference to inserting type.)

[JillyC12345]

Thanks Norman. I have just watched the video. This could be one way of doing this. Any advice on how I would quickly create a list in Excel of all the names of the image files that I have without having to paste them all in please? Plus do you know what sort of box the image would be placed in? Would this be a smart object or simply a box in a layer? Tx.

[JJMack]

See your other thread Trying to create a picture frame template for populating automatically

Only very basic thing are required you trying to use more advanced Photoshop features which complicated processing and is very restrictive,  That not what my package was designed for.  My packege is more about keeping things simple and easy.

[Stephen Marsh]

Rather than trying to add the variable images to the static frame, add the static frame to the variable images. This will likely mean that you will have to resize the canvas and adjust the position/size of the images in the action to suit the frame overlay. This may sound difficult, however it isn’t and is well suited to batch processing. Of course, your source images will need to be portrait orientation and be of the same or similar ratio to the template, or the action will need to account for differences or you double check the output and adjust manually where necessary.

One such example here:

Re: Simple action to replace image from walls

And another:

Re: Batch Processing Question

[JJMack]

I would think dealing with various size frames would also be difficult with a Photoshop Action without using some scripting action steps to deal with varying sizes.  Normal Photoshop action steps alone can not use programming logic there are just a few conditions an actions can test. Actions can not test sizes.  Dealing with varying sizes requites Photoshop scripting and not many Photoshop users can program a script. The is why I provide my scripts Photo Collage Scripts and my simple template design.  My scripts can populate.

Yes Actions can process things that do not do not change. A template will most likely have a static frame size the one I created for Jill does. Still the image need to be resized for that static frame size.  How does an action expand an images canvas for the template static frame size then resize mask and position various images the action will be processing.  How does the action do the required image resize position to the frame and mask to the static frame size.

[Stephen Marsh]

Agreed JJ, sometimes it is simple, sometimes it isn’t!

[JillyC12345]

Thanks guys for your expert input. I have so far had success with fitting the frame to the picture/image but yes as you say JJ the images have to all be the same size. I had a couple of 5x7s in my A4 batch and they just didn't fit he frame! I will definitely try the Templates that you provide with the scripts that you have written as I think in the long term this will be the better option.

I appreciate all your expert opinions and time given to this.