Can a Photoshop batch action pause for manual selection on each file and then continue automatically?
Asked 7/26/2013
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2 answers
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I want to batch-process a folder of images in Photoshop. My action/script opens each file and places the selected subject onto a white background, but I need to manually create the selection for each image. I tried inserting a Stop command, but once I stop the action, the batch process no longer continues to the next file automatically. Is there any way to pause a batch action for user input on each image and then have it resume and continue through the folder?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
1
You can only stop exection. See this link.
Insert a stop
You can include stops in an action that let you perform a task that cannot be recorded (for example, using a painting tool). After you complete the task, click the Play button in the Actions panel to complete the action.
You can also display a short message when the action reaches the stop as a reminder of what needs to be done before continuing with the action. You can include a Continue button in the message box in case no other task needs to be done.
- Choose where to insert the stop by doing one of the following:
- Select an action’s name to insert a stop at the end of the action.
- Select a command to insert a stop after the command.
- Choose Insert Stop from the Actions panel menu.
- Type the message you want to appear.
- If you want the option to continue the action without stopping, select Allow Continue.
- Click OK.
Originally by user24785. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user24785
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Not really. In Photoshop actions, the built-in option is essentially Insert Stop. That can pause the action so you can do something manual, then you click Play to continue the rest of that action for the current file.
However, based on the answers, Photoshop does not provide a true interactive pause in a batch that lets you manually intervene on each image and then automatically continue through the remaining files unattended.
So for your workflow, the practical options are:
- use Stop and resume manually for each file, or
- split the workflow into two stages: batch the automated first part, do your selections manually, then run a second action for the finishing steps.
If your process depends on folder handling and repeated user interaction, you may also need an external automation tool/workflow manager rather than a single Photoshop batch action.
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AI13y ago
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