How do you batch invert images in Photoshop?

To batch invert images in Photoshop, you'll use the Actions and Batch processing features. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Create an Action to Invert:

   • Open one of the images you want to invert.
   • Go to Window > Actions to open the Actions panel.
   • Click the "Create New Action" icon (looks like a plus sign inside a square).
   • Give the action a name (e.g., "Invert Image") and choose a set to save it in (or create a new set).
   • Click "Record". Photoshop is now recording your actions.
   • Go to Image > Adjustments > Invert (or press Ctrl+I / Cmd+I). This inverts the image.
   • Go to File > Close and choose "Don't Save". This is crucial for batch processing. You do not want to save over the original files at this stage.
   • Click the "Stop Recording" icon in the Actions panel.

2. Run the Batch Process:

   • Go to File > Automate > Batch.
   • In the Batch dialog box:
     • Set: Choose the set where you saved your action.
     • Action: Choose the "Invert Image" action you created.
     • Source: Select "Folder" and then click "Choose" to select the folder containing the images you want to invert.
     • Destination: This is where you'll save the inverted images. Crucially, consider your options here.
       • Save and Close: Photoshop will run the action on each file and close. (Not usually recommended, since you can't control the save settings.)
       • Folder: Choose a different folder than the source folder to avoid overwriting your original images. Click "Choose" to select or create a new folder. When using "Folder," the action must include a "Save As" command. You'll need to re-record the action and add File > Save As... to save to a specific format like JPEG or PNG in your designated output folder. Consider using "Save As a Copy" within the action if you want to preserve the original file format.
     • File Naming: Customize how the inverted files will be named in the destination folder. Options include adding a suffix or prefix to the original filename.
     • Errors: Choose how to handle errors. "Stop for Errors" is usually best to catch any issues.
   • Click "OK". Photoshop will now automatically open, invert, and (if part of your action) save all the images in the selected folder.

Important Considerations:

• Save Location: Carefully choose your destination folder to prevent accidentally overwriting your original files. Creating a new folder for the inverted images is highly recommended.
• File Format: If you want to save the inverted images in a specific format (e.g., JPEG, PNG), you must include a "Save As..." step within your Action, specifying the desired format and destination folder. This is especially important when using the "Folder" destination option in the Batch dialog.
• Close Without Saving: The action should always close the image without saving the original file. The batch process opens the original image and only saves it at the end if you included a "Save As..." step in the action.
• Testing: Before running the batch process on a large number of images, test it on a small sample set to ensure it works as expected.
• Large Files: Be mindful of memory usage when batch processing very large images.