Script to search layer names

Question

Hi -
Does anyone know if there is a script that can search through layer names within a file for a specific text string and then select it as the active layer?
For instance, if a file has 4 layers, named My LayerX, LayerY, LayerZ, LayerA, I want to automatically search for a layer that has the text "rA" and make it the active layer.
Thanks.

Answer 1

This requires CS4 or better. It searchs using a RegExp and Action Manager so it should be very fast. It is set up now to deal with more than one matching layer.
var re = /rA/;// a reg exp
var matches = collectNamesAM(re);// get array of matching layer indexes
for( var l = 0; l < matches.length; l++ ){
    makeActiveByIndex( l, false );
    // do something with layer
    alert(app.activeDocument.activeLayer.name);
}// next match if any
function collectNamesAM(re){
     var allLayers = new Array();
   var startLoop = Number( !hasBackground() );
   var endLoop = getNumberOfLayer();
   for( var l = startLoop;l < endLoop; l++){
        while( !isValidActiveLayer( l ) ) {
            l++;
        if( getLayerNameByIndex( l ).match(re) != null){
            allLayers.push( l );
     return allLayers;
// Function: getActiveLayerIndex
// Description: Gets gets the Action Manager API index
//                        of activeLayer corrected for Background Layer
// Usage: var idx = getActiveLayerIndex();
// Input: None
// Return: Number - correct AM itemIndex
// Dependices: hasBackground
function getActiveLayerIndex() {
     var ref = new ActionReference();
     ref.putProperty( 1349677170 , 1232366921 );
     ref.putEnumerated( 1283027488, 1332896878, 1416783732 );
     var res = executeActionGet(ref).getInteger( 1232366921 )
                                                       - Number( hasBackground() );
     res == 4 ? res++:res// why the skip in this doc?
     return res;  
// Function: isValidActiveLayer( )
// Description: Checks LayerSection for 'real' layers
// Usage: if( isValidActiveLayer() )
// Input: None
// Return: Boolean - True if not the end of a Set
// Notes:  Needed only if the layer was made active
//               using Action Manager API
function isValidActiveLayer( idx ) {
     var propName = stringIDToTypeID( 'layerSection' );// can't replace
     var ref = new ActionReference();
     ref.putProperty( 1349677170 , propName);// TypeID for "Prpr"
     // 'Lyr ", idx
     ref.putIndex( 1283027488, idx );
     var desc =  executeActionGet( ref );
     var type = desc.getEnumerationValue( propName );
     var res = typeIDToStringID( type );
     return res == 'layerSectionEnd' ? false:true;
// Function: hasBackground
// Description: Test for background layer using AM API
// Usage: if( hasBackground() );
// Input: None
// Return: Boolean - true if doc has background layer
// Notes:  Requires the document to be active
//  DOM:  App.Document.backgroundLayer
function hasBackground(){
    var res = undefined;
    try{
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putProperty( 1349677170 , 1315774496);
        ref.putIndex( 1283027488, 0 );
        executeActionGet(ref).getString(1315774496 );;
        res = true;
    }catch(e){ res = false}
    return res;
function makeActiveByIndex( idx, forceVisible ){
     try{
          var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
          var ref = new ActionReference();
          ref.putIndex(charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), idx)
          desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref );
          desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( "MkVs" ), forceVisible );
          executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "slct" ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
     }catch(e){ return -1;}
function getNumberOfLayer(){
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Dcmn"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
var numberOfLayer = desc.getInteger(charIDToTypeID("NmbL"));
return numberOfLayer;
function getLayerNameByIndex( idx ) {
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.putProperty( charIDToTypeID("Prpr") , charIDToTypeID( "Nm  " ));
    ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), idx );
    return executeActionGet(ref).getString(charIDToTypeID( "Nm  " ));;