Batch overlay multiple images

I'm an architect and would like to automate a process we do all the time: shadow studies. Here's a typical scenario: we render a view of a building, same camera angle, just changing the time of day for each rendering. Then we take those renderings and overlay them in Photoshop setting each layer to "Multiply", add a Brightness/Contast or Levels adjustment layer, and save said image. We do this for three times a year (one equinox and each solstice), often a few views of the building for each. So a typical shadow study might be 4-5 views, three times a years, so that's 12-15 composite images. This process gets repeated multiple times for each project as we change the design, so there is a lot of repetition.
I know how to create simple Actions. I know how to run a batch. What I don't know how to do and would like is a way to run a batch where I select some files and it creates the composite. The hurdle is making the Action and Batch be "generic" so that when I run the batch, I can select the images I want and the place to save it. That's the part I don't know how to do.
The Action I created is limited by (a) files open and (b) therefore only applicable to a certain number of open files (if I create the Action with 4 open files, it will only work on 4 files, not 3, not 5).
If required, I could probably script something. I know some programming/scripting, but have never done it for Photoshop.
I'm looking for guidance and a plan of attack. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

For free you may want to look at a tool that I think would be more suited for what you want to do. You could even put the build on Google Earth
Shadow and X-ray views no problem
Video studies not a problem http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/House.mp4 Trimble Sketchup 8 Free Download or there is a Pro version more suited for architects Sketchup 2013 Make (Education Student) Pro $590

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Batch combine multiple image sequences

My problem in a way is pretty simple.
After assembling the render output of my 3d app in photoshop (32bit) and changing the appearance via several CC layers in different layer modes (e.g. Hue/saturation in Overlay mode) I ended up with my composing for print purposes. The comp is complex, with several masked folders, single masked CC layers and many image layers (some with masks).
Now the client wanted me to animate part of the image. No problem I thought. But the trap is of how to assemble the different image sequences (diffuse, specular, reflection, masks, etc, etc). I came up with a PS action which loaded the single images and arranged them in the same fashion as the master file.
But now PS doesn't load the incremental images for the batch processing.
Images are named in a Diffuse_00001, Specular_00001, ... fashion. Loading the first set works, but from Diffuse_00002 everything goes wrong and PS load the 00001 files (except from one file which loads in the proper incremental way).
I can't transfer this stuff to AE as it is much too complex and I do no AE only very little.
I guess PS should be capable to solve this batch task, but a simple action via batch seems to fail.
Anybody who knows a solution?
Cheers
Thomas

I forgot to mention that after applying the action the comp is reduced to the background layer and needs to be saved as Flattened_00000, Flattened_00001, etc.
Cheers
Thomas

Batch "Place" gets off center after multiple images

This is sort of a hard one to explain. I'm trying to place a border and watermark over multiple images through the Place command. The image that I'm using to place is a .psd file with transparent background. The main images are tiff files. The problem is, that after a number of images that are changed, the placed image (border/watermark) gets off center by a few pixels each time and I end up with a border shifting to the right. How can I fix this? Here is my process:
1. Create action
2. Resize image to 1200x1800px 300dpi.
3. "Place" border/watermark image over top of main image. Center Position is 600px and 1200px. Scale 100.1% for each side
4. Flatten Image
5. Sharpen
6. Close action
7. I then select multiple images via Bridge and go to "Batch" or "Image Processor" and run it.
8. Over multiple images, the placed image "creeps" to the right by a pixel or two each image.
Is there something I'm doing wrong here? The placed image is the exact same size and orientation as the original images.

Ahh this is a huge help. This problem has been a thorn in my side for months. Thank you for the quick answer. Here is the list of my steps now...
1. Resize background image to whatever I need
2. Place overlay image (border/watermark) and "enter"
3. Select All
4. Layer > Align layers to selection > Vertical Centers
5. Layer > Align layers to selection > Horizontal Centers
6. Flatten Image
Works great, as long as the placed image is the same size as the background image.

You SHOULD be able to apply batch changes just by selecting multiple images

Don't get me wrong, i love lift/stamp. It's very helpful.
BUT, I really hate the fact that in Aperture you can't just drag-select a group of images and then either apply adjustments to all of them, or –more often– keywords.
Why does Aperture keep you from doing this?
At the very least, you should have the OPTION in PREFS to do this. Or not.

I'm sorry you are having difficulty.
It's simple: you select multiple images, right?. One has a thick white border and the others have thin ones. But, even though you have multiple images selected, if you input keywords, or other metadata, or an adjustment from the Inspector, it only applies to the "primary" image.
There should be an option to have that be the case... OR, if you want, to apply whatever adjustment from the INSPECTOR you choose... and have that be applied to those multiple images.
"...why would anyone be likely to want to see each single adjustment step applied to a large number of images before settling on the preferred combination?"
Because everyone's not you.
I just shot 100+ table tops that were VERY similar lighting / angles / etc. And I needed to comp them out for the client ASAP. The technique I described would've saved me a lot of time. Instead I had to do ONE image of the mini-batches, and then lift/stamp the rest. When it would've been so much easier for me to drag-select the 8, or 15 in a group, and assign them all keywords at the same time, and do some adjustments. Bam. Quicker.
Oh, and per the "what is the universe" question? You don't have to look any further than Apple's own operating system to see this "crazy" and "unique" technique in action: go to FINDER, select multiple items of folder (drag around them), and then CTRL-Click and choose a label color. Viola! ALL the items become that color.
Like I said, I'm only suggesting Apple provide the OPTION of working this way. And it IS the norm in most operating system / program environments.
In fact, watch the Lynda.com vid on Aperture 3: the MetaData portion, the guy drag-selects a bunch of images and says "...now, you'd THINK you could just enter some keywords for these similar images and have them stick... you'd be wrong. You have to use lift/stamp for that. For some odd reason."

How to place multiple images in batch with drop shadow effects on room backgrounds at the same position?

I want to place multiple images of hand paintings with drop shadow effects on room backgrounds to make them look as if the paintings are hanged on the room walls. I know how to do it one by one, but that takes time and I want to do it in batch at once.
I am quite a beginner for adobe photoshop CS6. I belive such an automated task is possible through 'Automated Batch' function and/or 'Create Droplet' function. Kindly share your expert opinion.

If you want to go with Batch I would recommend creating an Action of more or less these steps:
• set the resolution to the same as the background image’s
• change the image from Background Layer to regular Layer if necessary
• convert it to a Smart Object
• add a Drop Shadow Layer Style to the image (do not use Global Angle)
• place the background image (File > Place …)
• move it behind the image layer
• Image > Reveal All
• make Selection from that layer’s transparency (cmd-click its icon in the Layers Panel) and use Image > Crop
• select and transform the image layer to fit the intended position
This would naturally work out best if the images had the same size and proportions.
For the reflection on the floor duplicate the image, flip it vertically, move it in position and reduce its opacity to maybe 10%.
Realistically you may have to hide it partially behind the pillows, a Vector Mask would be an option.

How to batch change multiple adjusted images by a fixed amount?

Anyone know of a way to change the adjustment values of multiple previously adjusted images by a fixed amount? For example, if, after adjusting exposure of multiple images by various amounts, I want to lighten them all by 0.5, is there a way to do this? If I lift an exposure adjustment value of 0.5 from one image and stamp it on others that have non-zero values of x, even with the stamp option set to "add" rather than "replace", they all end up with exposure 0.5 rather than x + 0.5.

Nope - no way. but... you can add a different adjustment that does the same thing. For instance if you adjusted the exposure individually and you want to lighten them by a fix amount on top of that you could just add a levels or curves that does the exact same thing.
RB

Batching multiple images - save for web?

i'm new to elements 9 on my mac & was wondering if there is a way to save multiple images for web? the only thing i've come across in the program is one image at a time. thx

Hello,
There isn't a way of sending multple images through the Save for Web dialog box. But there are ways of working with multiple files that may accomplish the same, it just depeneds on exactly what you are looking to do. For example, if you are only looking for a way to turn a bunch of PSD, TIFF, or RAW files into a internet compatible JPEG, that can be done via File>Process Multiple Files. From here you can take a folder of images and convert them to another format such as JPEG (you can do other things too, like resize, rename, perform autofixes).
-Brett

Can you edit multiple images from a PDF in photoshop?

I scan a lot of old publications with images and drawings. The images are in greyscale, but my scanner produces better results set to color. As such, I have to convert the images to greyscale in Photoshop from Acrobat. I have several PS actions that make this process easier, but I wish there was a way to select multiple images from a page or PDF file and run the actions on them (a batch) instead of one at a time. Is there? Or perhaps another method than what I am doing?

I recommend that you scan first, save as TIFF, do any desired correction, and only then make PDFs. Scanning direct to PDFs is great for simple uncomplicated workflows, but a liability when correction is needed.

Removing keyword from multiple images at the same time

None of the documented methods seem to work for me.
1     Select all the images. Go to Metadata > Remove Keyword [my keyword] - the keyword is only removed from the image that is selected in the batch - i.e the one that has the yellow border round it to show it's the active image.
2     Select all the images, enter [my keyword] in the Add Keyword field when Keyword Controls is visible and press Shift + Enter - does the same thing as 1 above (removes it from the active image only).
3     Select all the images, Shift Click on the keyword that I have in my Keyword Controls in the Control Bar - does the same things as 1 above.
So all these methods, which are supposed to work, do not work for me. The removal of the keyword is only applied to the image that has the yellow border showing it to be the currently active image in the selected batch - the remaining selected imaged still retain the keyword. I can remove it "one at a a time" but it would be great if I could find a solution as to why this isn't working.
Any ideas?
If it helps, I'm running Aperture 3.1.3 in OS X 10.6.8.
thanks
Alan

Based on the frequency with which this trips up users, the Aperture team is going to have to add a much stronger visual indication that "Primary Only" is active. Marching ants, anyone? Or a pink selection marquee?
At least in the Viewer when multiple Images are selected the thin white selection marquee is dropped when Primary Only is active. There is no such change in the Browser.

How do I add multiple images into one file?

I'm sure this is something that's been covered in another post (or even in the help portal) but I think my wording in my search terms are not correct or... I don't know, because I just can't find what I'm looking for.
I want to know how to add multiple images into one file/one image, both horizontally and/or vertically. To give you an idea of what I mean, check out :
http://www.best10apps.com/apps/comic-story,531596060.html
If you scroll down, you'll see a heading entitled : Screenshots of Comic Story. Notice how there's 3 pictures (divided by borders). 2 of those pictures are side by side, and 1 of them is below the first 2 pictures.
I want to know how to add different pictures/images and put them into one picture.

One way is to create template PSD files and populate them with your images using Photoshops scripts.
Photo Collage Toolkit UPDATED June 12, added Picture Package Support via PasteImageRoll and BatchPicturePackage scripts.
The package includes four simple rules to follow when making Photo Collage Template PSD files so they will be compatible with my Photoshop scripts.
There are eleven scripts in this package they provide the following functions:
TestCollageTemplate.jsx - Used to test a Photo Collage Template while you are making it with Photoshop.
CollageTemplateBuilder.jsx - Can build Templates compatible with this toolkit's scripts.
LayerToAlphaChan.jsx - Used to convert a Prototype Image Layer stack into a template document.
InteractivePopulateCollage.jsx - Used to interactively populate Any Photo Collage template. Offers most user control inserting pictures and text.
ReplaceCollageImage.jsx - use to replace a populated collage image Smart Object layer with an other image correctly resized and positioned.
ChangeTextSize.jsx - This script can be used to change Image stamps text size when the size used by the populating did not work well.
PopulateCollageTemplate.jsx - Used to Automatically populate a Photo Collage template and leave the populated copy open in Photoshop.
BatchOneImageCollage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Collage templates that only have one image inserted. The Collage or Image may be stamped with text.
BatchMultiImageCollage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Any Photo Collage template with images in a source image folder. Easier to use than the interactive script. Saved collages can be tweaked.
BatchPicturePackage.jsx - Used to Automatically Batch Populate Any Photo Collage template with an image in a source image folder
PasteImageRoll.jsx - Paste Images into a document to be print on roll paper.
Documentation and Examples

How do you add a water mark to multiple images within multiple files?

I am having real trouble in trying to add a water mark to multiple images (mixture of jpegs and tiffs) within multiple file.
I have used the Batch processing tool, but this hasn't worked or has been inconvenient, asking me to resave each individual file.
If anyone can help or suggest another way of doing this, that would be great!
Thanks
Becca

Are you using Russell Brown's script for placing watermarks? Also you mentioned, "Within multiple file." Did you mean multiple folders? The batch processor has a check box for applying process to multiple folders. What itsn't working - exactly?

How to Watermark multiple images with different dimensions in Photoshop ?

Is there any way that I can place a watermark on the right bottom of multiple images, no matter what dimension the images are? I have tried using Photoshop Scripts > image processor, but it works only for images of same dimension. I want to put watermark on multiple images of different dimensions. This is the output i got.
For the first image the watermark got placed correctly, but for the second image watermark got distracted. As you can clearly see the dimensions are different. Please suggest me some solution.

Open an image to watermark. We must have this open before we start recording an action or else it will keep opening this image and watermarking it over and over again.
In Photoshop go to Windows >> Actions
At the bottom of the Actions Palette you will see a little folder icon, click on it and create a new folder to hold you action in.
Once you have a folder to hold your action we need to hit the Create New Action button (next to the new folder Icon we just used.)
Give our new action a name and set a function key (if required.)
If the record button is not already depressed which it should be by default, hit it now to start recording our action. (located near the folder icon again but this time to the left)
Now that our action is recording go to File >> Place
When the dialog box comes up navigate to your previously created watermark file.
Hit the Place button
Position the watermark as you would normally have it (default is dead center) and hit enter.
Go to File >> Save as,navigate to where you want your watermarked images to finish up and hit save. DO NOT CHANGE THE FILE NAME if you do when you play the batch it will name all the files it saves the same over-writing each other.
Close the image we just watermarked.
when a save dialog comes up do not save the image.
On the Actions Palette hit stop recording.
Our Action is now recorded.
To process an entire folder of images we go to File >> Automate >> Batch
Select the folder in which your images are currently
Select the folder you wish to save the watermarked copies too.
Hit OK
Photoshop is now watermarking all the Images in the selected folder for you.

Is there a way to format multiple images at once? Change colour mode or resolution?

Is there a way to format multiple images at once? Change colour mode or resolution?

It's very easy to make an action.
Go to window > actions
In the actions panel, simply click the 'create a new action' button, it starts recording as soon as you've created it (when you've given it a name).
Now you can apply the changes you want to make to the images on the file you have opened.
After you've done all you need to do. You click the 'stop' button. The action is now ready to use. And you can apply the changes you made on all the other files.
Then you can continue how gener7 explained.
I usually include a save and close command, so that the whole batch doesn't end up opened after running the script.
But if you do that you have to create a new file, and save it to your computer before you start recording the action, otherwise the save command will be replaced by each file. And you'll end up with one edited file in the end. At least for as far as I know!

How do I apply a preset to multiple images at once?

I'm almost embarassed to ask this, because it seems so simple. But I'm new to LR and need some help.
I want to apply a preset (exmample, a preset that resembles film) to multiple images at once. (similar to batch editing in Photoshop) but I want want the white balance etc to necessarily be the same, obviously. Please help!

Select all of your thumbnails in the develop module film strip or in the library prior to going into develop. Then turn on Auto-Sync. Any adjustment you make to your first image will be repeated on all of the selected images. Or just perfect your first image and choose sync. You will see a pop-up dialog and you can choose exactly which develop settings you wish to sync e.g. white balance only or white balance and other settings.
To be clear Auto-sync will apply all develop settings on the fly to all selected images.
Sync will apply the settings from the first selected image to all of the subsequently selected images unless you choose exceptions. For example you may wish to apply exposure, contrast, highlights and shadows from your perfected image but not the crop settings.
Don't forget to turn off Auto-Sync when you have finished otherwise it will affect future editing.
P.S. There is no such thing as an embarrassing question. The beginners forum is designed entirely for that purpose.

Cannot stamp multiple images anymore

running v 3.2.1 and I cannot stamp multiple images any more. I can lift and stamp one at a time but when I select to end and attempt to stamp it only stamps the last image in the batch. any help is appreciated!
Thanks Dave

Hello Dave,
Check if you have "Primary only" activated.
That looks like a case of "Primary only".
If you have set the "Primary only"-flag, any changes only apply to one image of the selection.
Uncheck the button with the "1" in a square above the film strip.
You can also deselect this option from the "Edit" menu.
Regards
Léonie

Batch overlay multiple images

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