Copying two layers through same selection mask produces different dimensions on new file

Question

Hi all,
This is driving me insane!
I'm creating an animation in AE eventually but initially have two hand drawn images of the same object that I've scanned into PS.
I have a single mask created that I turn into a selection to copy the two images to output as new single files to then import as 2 frame png sequence into AE.
Normally, and this is critical, the dimension of the new files would/should be exactly the same.
But they're not!
How is this possible, the selection is the same for both layers.
Any suggestions, help, assistance, very much appreciated.
thanks
Yan

Answer 1

yancowles wrote:
Still annoying though, I'm creating the double drawn animation effect and it would help if I could make the new files to exactly the same dimensions quickly and easily somehow.
Menu file>Save As to create a new file Photoshop is not a file editor. For a new document the same size menu File>New or Ctrl+N then use the preset pull down menu  and select the open document that has the size you want.
You can also script a new document from selection.
/* ==========================================================
// 2009  John J. McAssey (JJMack)
// ======================================================= */
// This script is supplied as is. It is provided as freeware.
// The author accepts no liability for any problems arising from its use.
// Download from the web and fixed to work better
<javascriptresource>
<about>$$$/JavaScripts/NewDocumentFromSelection/About=JJMack's New Document From Selection.^r^rCopyright 2009 Mouseprints.^r^rJJMack's Script.^rNOTE:New Document From Selection!</about>
<category>JJMack's Script</category>
</javascriptresource>
// enable double-clicking from Mac Finder or Windows Explorer
#target photoshop // this command only works in Photoshop CS2 and higher
// bring application forward for double-click events
app.bringToFront();
// ensure at least one document open
if (!documents.length) alert('There are no documents open.', 'No Document');
else main(); // at least one document exists proceed
//                            main function                                  //
function main() {
          try {
                    // Set the ruler units to PIXELS
                    var orig_ruler_units = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
                    app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;
                if(hasSelection()) newDocFromSelection();
                    // Reset units to original settings
                    app.preferences.rulerUnits = orig_ruler_units;
          // display error message if something goes wrong
          catch(e) { alert(e + ': on line ' + e.line, 'Script Error', true); }
//                           main function end                               //
function hasSelection(doc) {
          if (doc == undefined) doc = activeDocument;
          var res = false;
          var activeLayer = activeDocument.activeLayer;          // remember active layer
          var as = doc.activeHistoryState;                    // get current history state #
          doc.selection.deselect();
          if (as != doc.activeHistoryState) {                    // did the deselect get recorded
                    res = true;
                    doc.activeHistoryState = as;                    // backup and reselect
          activeDocument.activeLayer = activeLayer;          // insure active layer didn't change
          return res;                                                   // return true or false
function newDocFromSelection() {
          var AD = app.activeDocument.name;      // remember current document name
        /* the following code seems to be from the script listener  what it
            does is to add a layer via copy selection ( Ctrl+J) which will fail
            if the select area of the active layer is empty then code then creates
          a new documents with a normal layer cotaining the contents of that layer */
          executeAction( charIDToTypeID('CpTL'), undefined, DialogModes.NO );//
                    var desc5 = new ActionDescriptor();
                              var ref2 = new ActionReference();
                              ref2.putClass( charIDToTypeID('Dcmn') );
                    desc5.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref2 );
                    desc5.putString( charIDToTypeID('Nm  '), "NewDoc"+documents.length.toString());
                              var ref3 = new ActionReference();
                              ref3.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
                    desc5.putReference( charIDToTypeID('Usng'), ref3 );
                    desc5.putString( charIDToTypeID('LyrN'), "From Selection" );
                    executeAction( charIDToTypeID('Mk  '), desc5, DialogModes.NO );
                    app.activeDocument.trim(TrimType.TRANSPARENT);          // trim new document transparency
                    activeDocument = documents.getByName(AD);          // retun to the old document
                    activeDocument.activeLayer.remove();                    // delete layer added via Ctrl+J