recording actions - groups

[de666]

hello,

I want to record action for dodge/burn, this action will add two layers and group them, everything works but my problem is what will happen when I call this action twice - to repeat dodge/burn process

I was searching for an answer for a while, but couldn't find anything about this issue, so maybe you could explain it to me

I am recording action this way:
1) add layer curves, rename it to "dodge"
2) add layer curves, rename it to "burn"
3) select both layers
4) group
5) select brush and mask of "dodge" layer

when I call action twice - it is not able to correctly group layers, because there are two "dodge" and two "burn" layers and groups are messed up

how to resolve it?

[John Wheeler]

Re: recording actions - groups

Hi de

PS allows naming Layers the same name so there may not be a solution.
As far as the layers being messed up, I suspect you need to make sure that the you need to make sure in your action that the top layer is selected before you start running the action again. Hard to tell without more details. If you could post the ATN file or at least the text of the actions may help forum members provide more targeted responses.

[InSlowMotion]

Re: recording actions - groups

Hi De666

I think the trick is to rename the curves after grouping them.

1 - Make adjustment layer
Type: curves
2 - Make adjustment layer
Type: curves
3 - Select layer “Curves 1”
4 - Make Group
5 -Select layer “Curves 2”
6 - Set current layer
Name: “Dodge”
7 - Select layer “Curves 1”
8 - Set current layer
Name: “Burn”

IMPORTANT: Before running this action you must select the top layer and if
the top layer is a group it must be collapsed.

[Der_W]

Re: recording actions - groups

Try to avoid clicking on any layer, it will usually mess things up. If not for you, then for somebody with a different Photoshop language installed where e.g. the background layer is not called "Background", they've removed the automatic " - copy" at the end etc.
Rather use keyboard shortcuts for navigation and selection of layers if possible: https://helpx.adobe.com/en/photoshop...e_layers_panel (starts with "Select top layer")

[de666]

Re: recording actions - groups

IsSlowMotion - your idea is very interesting, however - what will happen if "Curves 1" was already created? maybe the solution is two-pass renaming:

1) create first curve, rename it to dodge_tmp
2) create second curve, rename it to burn_tmp
3) group
4) rename dodge_tmp to dodge and burn_tmp to burn

sounds complicated

Der_W I think using shortcuts to group layers is best solution, but I can select top layer with "Alt + . (period)" and group it with "Control + G" but how to select second layer before grouping? Is there shortcut for selecting second layer?

[InSlowMotion]

Re: recording actions - groups

what will happen if "Curves 1" was already created?

In that situation my action will not work properly.

maybe the solution is two-pass renaming:

1) create first curve, rename it to dodge_tmp
2) create second curve, rename it to burn_tmp
3) group
4) rename dodge_tmp to dodge and burn_tmp to burn

sounds complicated

Not at all. Excellent idea.

Quick tip: By pressing the Alt key while creating a new adjustment layer you can create the curves and rename it in a single step.

So "Curves 1" would look like this:
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Name: "dodge_tmp"
Type: curves
Preset Kind: Default

By doing this you don't have to make a two-pass renaming but one.

[de666]

Re: recording actions - groups

Thanks for tips - my action works perfectly now and I can create more

[Der_W]

Re: recording actions - groups

The shortcut you were looking for is one (okay, maybe two) rows below :-)

Add to layer selection in Layers panel: Shift + Alt + [ or ] OR Shift + Option + [ or ]

Select next layer down/up: Alt + [ or ] OR Option + [ or ]

(pre-OR: Windows, post-OR: Mac)

[xiken]

Re: recording actions - groups

Select next layer down/up: Alt + [ or ] OR Option + [ or ]

Any idea on how to do this on foreign keyboard (Portuguese Keyboard)?

I have no ] on my keyboard - so i type "]" by pressing ALT GR + ´ => i've tried ALT GR + ´ + ALT but it doesn't work as Select next layer.

I've searched the net for any solution and found people with the same problem but no working solution. Maybe if i could remap my keyboard on windows... or any other way to configure keyboard shortcuts that aren't configurable via keyboard shortcuts on Photoshop?

[InSlowMotion]

Re: recording actions - groups

Hi xiken
AltGr is the same as Ctrl+Alt but Ctrl+Alt already as function in Photoshop.

What i do is change the shortcuts.
Edit > Keyboard shortcuts > Shortcuts for:Tools

Decrease brush size: replace [ for <
Increase brush size: replace ] for >
.
.
.
First brush: delete < and leave the box empty
Last brush: delete > and leave the box empty

This is not a perfect solution but its ok for me.
If you dont like this "solution" you can undo this shortcuts and change them to the defaults

[Der_W]

Re: recording actions - groups

On my German keyboard the keys are Alt + . or , to select the next layer up/down and Alt + Shift + . or , to add them to the selection. I've never tried a Portuguese keyboard layout but maybe it's the same there?

[xiken]

Re: recording actions - groups

Naah! Neither of it worked... either way since i only wanted to record an action i ended up finding a way. Switched to US keyboard in windows, recorded action and then back to portuguese keyboard. Action works perfect cos Photoshop records the command not the keys pressed.

You guys didn't gave me an answer but made me think my way to the solution. Thanks guys!