[DG55]

Hey there guys, wondering if anyone can help me with something that has been really annoying me over the past day.

In photoshop there are some great batch features which allow you to export layers as files, or export a bunch of documents to files.

Now what I've got is a psd with 100 'groups of layers', which are bascially slides for an image-based slideshow which i'm making.

Whats really annoying is that even though I can export layers or files, I cannot export 'groups' to JPEG's. For example, Group 1 = one image, Group 2 = one image, etc etc.

I've tried searching google but I only get a couple of forums with a no answer.

Is there any way to do this with scripting/plugins or anything? Is it at all possible, surely it is! It sounds like a basic advancement of the export layers to files feature.

Another solution would be if I could automatically flatten all groups into an individual single layer for each. So Group 1 would be Layer 1, Group 2 would be Layer 2, etc etc. If I could do this, I could then just use the Export Layers to Files feature. I cannot seem to figure out a way of doing this either.

Photoshop CS2 mac.

Any ideas? Cheers.

[steveb]

You're on the right track.
Make a duplicate of your document with all its layers and groups etc.
Close the original!

There's a Script in PS to save Comps to files, so you could make each Group into a Comp and run the batch thing on those.

Or you could activate each group one at a time, open it up, select the top layer and press shift-ctrl-alt-e. You should get a flattened copy of the contents of the group. Move the new flattened layer outside the group folder. Repeat that with each group, until you have flattened versions of all the groups on separate layers.
Then delete all the groups and run the batch thing on the layers.

On a Mac, you press shift-ctrl-apple-e, I suppose!

[DG55]

Thanks for the reply.

This solution doesnt really solve my problem though, as it will still mean I have to convert every layer into a comp OR flatten each layer - which is what I've been doing. In the grand scheme of things it doesnt save much time when I want to make a slight modification to the positioning of a bunch of layers inside all the groups.

Im still stumped as to why there isn't an export groups to files feature.

Flattening the layers would be good, but I still have to do them all individually. Is there not a way to flatten all groups individually at the touch of a button?

Cheers.

[steveb]

Yeah, life sucks. I'd also like a script to generate Comps from all existing Groups. One of the reasons why that is not available may be that it's possible to generate Comps using a combination of visible Groups and layers outside groups. For example, when I generate Comps for a website, unique page elements are Grouped but common elements like the head banner and menu are outside. It would be unreasonable to expect PS to be a mind reader too, although that may be available in CS4.

[DG55]

Yeah, but surely something to flatten all groups individually would make sense?

Is there no way of 'scripting' this? Unless you can iterate through each group individually then I suppose not, although if you can iterate through each layer and export it - surely you can iterate through groups.

I still have no idea how to use scripts in Photoshop - Do you think its a possibility? I hate Fireworks, but the scripting using past actions in the history panel is dead easy, and you can apply these scripts when batch processing.

Cheers.

[steveb]

You could have already done what you want about 15 times already! Stop looking for ultrashort-cuts and use the facilities already available! Sheesh!

What PRECISELY is the end product that you want? You've written about producing jpgs. If that's the end product, to be used on a website or in a brochure, use the shift-ctrl-apple-e system to flatten them and generate layers which you can then use the script on.

This isn't difficult or complicated, but it is a little tedious to process a couple of dozen Groups. The sooner you start, the sooner it will be over! Don't be so lazy - there are worse jobs than sitting in a warm room assembling images, believe me.

[DG55]

Well indeed.

In fact I have done this... probably 15 times, too. Flattening 100 layers is no fun, especially for minor changes.

I suppose I'm only asking for future reference, but it looks like I there isn't an easy way...

Cheers.

[website-design]

I don't belive i have an answer ... mmm sorry mate ... i let know if i find an answer... :-)

cheers

[Transmogrify]

Originally Posted by website-design

I don't belive i have an answer ... mmm sorry mate ... i let know if i find an answer... :-)

cheers

Your contribution to this forum is quite something. You should be awarded. I salute you :-)

[steveb]

I sense an imminent banning. There are lots of similar words of wisdom scattered in OUR threads.