How To Work With The Batch Command In Photoshop

September 1, 2009 · 4 comments

So, What Is The Batch Command?

Basically Batch processing allows you to execute actions on folders of images or photos to take the monkey work out of your life and leave it in the capable hands of the Adobe software by automating the tasks.

When batch-processing files, you can leave all the files open, close and save the changes to the original files, or save modified versions of the files to a new location (leaving the originals unchanged). If you are saving the processed files to a new location, you may want to create a new folder for the processed files before starting the batch.

Batch-Process Using Multiple Actions

Create a new action that plays all the other actions, and then batch-process using the new action.
To batch-process multiple folders, create aliases within a folder to the other folders you want to process, and select the Include All sub folders option.

Tip : For better batch performance, reduce the number of saved history states and deselect the Automatically Create First Snapshot option in the History panel.

Working With The Batch Command

Choose File > Automate > Batch
This command plays back a single Action on a number of files. You select an Action to play and also a folder of image files to play it on.

Then you decide what you want to do with the files after the Action is done with them. You can leave the images open in Photoshop, save and close them, or (much safer) save them to another folder, preserving the originals.

When you select a new folder as the Destination in Batch, you must tell Photoshop how you want the new files to be named.

TIP: You must remember this when assigning file names:
-Don’t use a period (.) in any field. You can type in any of the fields (except the last one you use), but for compatibility, stick with letters, numbers, underscores (_), and hyphens (-).