Photoshop scripting for artists

In this lesson we will be looking at the very basics of how to get started with writingJavascript code for Photoshop. We will look at how to set the Extendscript interface up, where to save script files, how to connect the files into Photoshop and how to write a basic file. We will also cover off the basics of variable data storage, alert boxes and prompt dialog boxes.

In this lesson we will be looking at how to recreate the elements of the image resize tool that exists in Photoshop. This will give us in insight into how we can access pre built tools that have been developed by Adobe.

We will do some revision of the core principles learned in lesson 1. Additionally we will look at how we can start to access some of the other draws (also know as functions) in our filing cabinet metaphor. We will also introduce the idea of some basic if conditional statements.

In this lesson we are going to build a job builder for your file system. You will make a script that can build a predefined folder structure to keep your server neat and organised. No longer will it be acceptable for staff or freelancers to make files and folders where ever it seems right! This script will form the basis for the remaining pipeline scripts that are built later on.

We will do some revision of the principles explored in lesson one and two and will also delve into some new tools including looking at how to access the filesystem on your computer and how to create folders and subfolders. We will also explore how to manipulate text and how to access stored information like the current date.

In this lesson we will be looking at how to build a script which will be used to finish off our files. It will delete all paths, alpha channels and colour samplers as well as flattening the document and saving final files with a variety of colour profiles and formats. We will also explore how to dynamically name the files based on the original name of the document and how to automatically add metadata to the image.

This lesson will show how to access a series of prebuilt Adobe tools including copy merged, save as and convert to profile. We will also revise some of the core principles taught in lessons 1, 2 and 3.

A short bonus lesson! To try and simplify lesson 5, this lesson was created to introduce the idea of global variables, loops and arrays.

These techniques are used in a lot of the future scripts and are fundamental programming skills to make efficient scripts for Photoshop.

This lesson is the biggest one in this series. We are going to build an intelligent work in progress saver that will look at the draft folders in the job and determine where the file should be saved. It will also intelligently name the file based on which other WIP files already exists.

We will be learning a different method of writing an algorithm in this lesson called flowcharting. Additionally we will be revising loops and arrays and exploring how to access multiple files which are stored on the file system of the computer.

This lesson dives into how to make a Photoshop layer structure using Javascript. It focusses on learning how to access new tools including the new layer and new folder functions. It also looks at how to change layer blending styles, fill layers with colours and rename layers. Essentially this is a complete guide on how to build your ideal layer structure using a script.

In lesson 7, we will tackle how to create a preference file using an external text document. This will allow repeated information including file locations and artists to be stored, accessed and turned off and on. We also cover off how to utilise the preferences into the lesson 3 job builder script.

Specifics that this lesson will cover include how to read and write to an external text document, utilising while loops and some revision on for loops and arrays

This lesson teaches the core principle of process validation. When a process is automated, you need to be sure that the script is actually doing its job properly. If it is not, it needs to be highlighted to the user. The worst thing you could experience is a script appearing to work correctly but actually failing to save your files. By looking at file save times and ensuring that a completed file exists before closing the document, you can be sure that your script is working correctly. This is a handy little addition to add to all of your scripts that are saving files.

This lesson is all about automating the tedious task of transferring markups onto your working files. If you are doing a job with lots of files, it can take a long amount of time to transfer the clients markups onto the working files. This script is designed to match the client files against the working files and transfer them all in one big batch. The best thing is it also works on multiple rounds of markups!

A nice easy one to finish up. This script will be used to take all of the other scripts that have been made and build them into a control panel. It explores how to access one script through another script and how to keep the actions panel in Photoshop clean for any other users who may also have access to the computer.