Batch processing - Resizing/downsampling -

whitefx

In as few words that I can, I will try and describe my situation regarding the manipulation of images that have various dimensions, and to downsize and down sample to a particular uniform size for all. After I can create this so called action, I will then use it to process thousands of images through batch processing.

Scenario:

- [Origin] Folder Containing Hi-Res CMYK camera-ready .tiff photos
- [Destination] Folder containing low-res RGB web .jpg photos
- [New File Preset] 350px wide x 375px tall; RGB; Adobe 1998; White background; 8bit

The current process that I use to get my camera ready files to web pics, is through an action that I have set up.

These steps play in my action (including new file preset, specs above):

-1. Hi-res file contains only 1 layer which contains a mask to cut the image from it's background;
-2. Selection is made from layer mask
-3. Layer is set to active retaining mask selection
-4. copy (image contained within selection is copied)
-5. paste into new file (preset above [New File preset])

From this point I manually size the photo to fit within the new file size preset by transforming the pasted layer and dragging (downsize) by the handles. After this I simply save file as a .jpg

This action is just fine for single files but will not work for batch processing because 99 percent of my hi-res files are much larger than 350x375 which will leave them pasted at actual size and cut off.

My first solution was to include a step in the action that would resize the image down to the size needed. The problem that I am now faced with is that when you include the transform command in an action, it just records the 'percent' value which has varying results.

To sum it up, I would like to batch process many images at once with an action that will take my destination images and manipulate them and store them in my target low-res folder. The final dimensions will be 350px wide x 375px tall which is rectangular. My files vary in size and proportion; some being tall rectangular, wide rectangular, and square. The initial dpi is 300 but when finished it will need to be 72.

I have experimented using the 'image resize' command but not getting a result that will work with all proportions of images.

Jeremy

Matt · VIP

Hey there

There doesn't seem too much wrong with what you're doing. All of this work can be done using an action assuming you already have your mask set up inside the original tiff files. You're right to use the Image Size Command rather than the freeform transform controls, this way once you've cropped the image using the selection outline loaded from the mask you can resample the image based on your ideal dimensions, you can also set the appropriate resampling method and resolution. Are you having trouble recording an action that works, or are you stuck on a particular step.

One thing I will mention, Photoshop actions always struggle between landscape and portrait images. What I mean is - it's usually best to record one action for horizontal images and another one for vertical - and then just run them accordingly.

Hope this helps

doubrovski · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:27 am Post subject:

whitefx,
1. After cropping images to selection (as Matt suggested above) use "File > Automate > Fit Image" command to restrict image width to 350px and height to 375 px. (this fixes the "portraits/landscapes" problem)
2. Reload the mask to selection and copy to clipboard
3. Create new > and in the "New Doc" dialog, set Resolution to 72 DPI
4. Paste the copied graphic

whitefx · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:16 am Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for your help guys! I had forgotten all about the Fit Image script.

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