Replace Smart Object content

Question

I have a photo template with a few smart object. The templated works fines when i perform a "replace content" command. I was trying to automated this with an action, however the action just places the same photo when i point it to a folder with many images. Is there method of having the action cycle through the images?

Answer 1

You can't use the Replace Contents action step in a Batch to flow in a folder of different images unless you use a Javascript to direct it. That can get very complicated if you've never worked with it.
Variables and Data Sets is the standard method of approach with many tutorials online.
Video Layer framing is quicker and more versitle. You won't find any documentation on that method, will require more experimenting probably.
If you're more comforable with just actions and batches, then you could try a different layer structure. Create an action that you can batch directly on the images that:
- Selects all layers.
- Convert to Smart Object (hopefully content is same size between files?).
- Places your main background file as a SO.
- Moves the main background SO to the bottom.
- Transforms the original SO to the correct placement. (use a dummy layer to record or group before transform to properly record values).
Before, you were batching the same Replace Contents statement on all files, when none of the files contained the Smart Object you wanted to affect. That's why it didn't work. Here, you are Batching the individual files, sending them to another folder, or overwriting them by 'Save and Close'. Your main content is placed underneath the contents of each file.
Good luck,
-f