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Note: The actions and droplets
included in my download may not be compatible with versions
of Photoshop other than v7.0.
Batch processing and using droplets
are two different ways of using Photoshop actions. Droplets
are .exe files and are like little programs you can drag
and drop files onto. As soon as an image file is dropped
onto the droplet, the Photoshop action used to create
the droplet will process the image. The drawback to droplets
is that you can only process 30 images at a time.
Batch processing, on the other
hand, is more powerful but requires you to open Photoshop
and follow the steps to the right. Once you complete the
steps, the action you choose to batch process images with
will process every image in a specified folder no matter
how many. I processed 600 photos just this morning while
I cooked breakfast.
Tip 1: If you set it up right,
the batch process will not require any input from you.
Of course, there are some actions where you want to be
able to change settings, such as in the "Quickflow"
action. However, the other actions included in my download
can be used without any input from the user. I typically
use my "Autoflow" action to process hundreds
of photos and then I batch resize the images using the
"Save for Web" action.
Tip 2: While you can batch process
RAW images, it will most likely require you to click on
something for every image you process. To save time, batch
convert all your RAW images to JPG or TIFF prior to batch
processing them in Photoshop. For instructions on batch
conversions, read the instructions included with your
RAW converter, i.e. Nikon Capture or Bibble.
Tip 3: You can use the actions
on a single file at a time without batch processing. All
you have to do is click on the action title and then click
on the arrow at the bottom of the palette. Make sure you
select the gray box beside the "Save" step of
the action before doing this or else you may overwrite
your original file.
Tip 4: My actions are preceded
by function keys because I set them up to be used simply
by pressing the function key indicated. When you load
the action, you will have to set the keys up for the actions
yourself. Click on the arrowhead at the top right of the
"Actions" palette and select "Set Options"
to choose a particular function key. You can also change
the name of the action to reflect the particular function
key chosen.
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1. To batch process your JPG images in Photoshop, you must
use Photoshop Actions. I created a set of actions that will
allow you to batch process an unlimited amount of images. To
use my actions, you must first extract the file "fotogenetic.atn"
somewhere you can remember. In the image below, the files will
all be extracted to the desktop.
2. After extracting the action file, load the file using by
clicking on the "Actions" tab on the palette shown
below. Then click on the arrowhead to the top right of the palette
and select "Load Actions". You must find the folder
where you extracted the action file to.
3. After loading the actions, you should now see it along with
any other actions you may have. Before batch processing can
begin, make sure you unclick the gray box in the "Save"
step of whichever action you intend to use. This will prevent
you from having to choose a name and location to save each file
to as they are processed. In the image below, the action "Shift
F2 Autoflow" is correctly configured for batch processing.
4. After getting the action ready for batch processing, click
on "File >> Automate >> Batch..." as shown
below.
5. Now set the Batch menu as shown in the image below. You
must select the source folder where the images you wish to process
are located. Note that all the files to be processed must be
in a single folder and should already be converted to JPG or
TIFF. If they are still in RAW format, you may have to click
on a button for every photo, which defeats the purpose of batch
processing. You must also select a destination folder. Finally,
you can configure the file names to anything you want. I suggest
the configuration pictured below. If you set everything up right,
Photoshop will now process every photo that is currently in
the source folder you chose once you click "OK". Before
you leave the computer, make sure at least a couple of files
run through so that you don't return hours later to find the
computer was stuck waiting on some input from you.
6. Now go and use your time wisely. Catch up with the important
people in your life. Take your wife or husband out to dinner.
Play peek-a-boo with your baby. There's more to life than sitting
in front of a computer all day!
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