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Photoshop CS3  |  Go to CS4 Help

Process a batch of files

The Batch command runs an action on a folder of files. If you have a digital camera or a scanner with a document feeder, you can also import and process multiple images with a single action. Your scanner or digital camera may need an acquire plug‑in module that supports actions.

Note: If the third-party plug‑in wasn’t written to import multiple documents at a time, it may not work during batch-processing or if used as part of an action. Contact the plug‑in’s manufacturer for further information.

You can also import PDF images from Acrobat Capture or other software programs.

When batch-processing files, you can leave all the files open, close and save the changes to the original files, or save modified versions of the files to a new location (leaving the originals unchanged). If you are saving the processed files to a new location, you may want to create a new folder for the processed files before starting the batch.

To batch-process using multiple actions, create a new action that plays all the other actions, and then batch-process using the new action. To batch-process multiple folders, create aliases within a folder to the other folders you want to process, and select the Include All Subfolders option.

For better batch performance, reduce the number of saved history states and deselect the Automatically Create First Snapshot option in the History palette.

For a tutorial on image processing techniques, see www.adobe.com/go/learn_ps_processraw.

Batch-process files

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Choose File > Automate > Batch (Photoshop)

    • Choose Tools > Photoshop > Batch (Bridge)

  2. Specify the action you want to use to process files from the Set and Action pop‑up menus. The menus display actions available in the Actions palette. You may need to choose a different set or load a set in the palette if you don’t see your action.
  3. Choose the files to process from the Source pop‑up menu:
    Folder
    Processes files in a folder you specify. Click Choose to locate and select the folder.

    Import
    Processes images from a digital camera, scanner, or a PDF document.

    Opened Files
    Processes all open files.

    Bridge
    Processes selected files in Adobe Bridge. If no files are selected, the files in the current Bridge folder are processed.

  4. Set processing, saving, and file naming options. For descriptions of the Batch dialog box settings see Batch and droplet processing options.

Batch-process files in nested folders into different formats

  1. Process your folders as you would normally, until the Destination step.
  2. Choose Save And Close for the destination. You can specify options for Override Action “Save As” Commands to do the following:

    • If the “Save As” step in the action contains a file name, this name is overridden by the name of the document being saved; all “Save As” steps are treated as if they were recorded without a file name.

    • The folder you specified in the “Save As” action step is overridden by the document’s original folder.

    Note: You must have a “Save As” step in the action; the Batch command does not automatically save files.

    You can use this procedure, for instance, to sharpen, resize, and save images as JPEGs in their original folders. You create an action that has a sharpen step, a resize step, and then a “Save As JPEG” step. When you batch-process this action, you select Include All Subfolders, make the destination Save And Close, and select Override Action “Save As” Commands.

    For a tutorial on image processing techniques, see www.adobe.com/go/learn_ps_processraw.


Comments

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Comments


DigitalCandyMan said on Mar 14, 2008 at 9:47 AM :
When using the Batch command on images - the naming doesn't work. I want the file name "myfile.gif" to become "myfile_tb.gif" -- I've used the Override Action check box and it doesn't work - and tried it without.

Is this a bug?

My system: Vista Business. Adobe PS CS3 Extended.
Elsa Kendall said on Apr 11, 2008 at 2:26 PM :
I'm using Camera Raw: photos selected in Bridge: Photoshop: Image
Processor to convert my NEF files to jpegs and psds. I keep getting, for each
image as it opens, "feather command is unavailable for this function".

This rather defeats the batch processing if I have to sit and address each
image by pressing the Continue button. Nowhere can I find preferences to
have this feather on or off, and it seems as though it is not applicable to what
I'm trying to do anyway.

Any ideas?

Mac OS 10.4.11 on MacBook Pro 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo, 2 GB SDRAM
No screen name said on Nov 9, 2008 at 10:23 PM :
I am having similar problems with the batch file naming. It does everything I want it to do, except rename the file with a T at the beginning for thumbs. I have to upload the larger file and thumb file to a website, so two pics with the same name just won't do. Anything new on this?

 

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