Using Photoshop's Image Processor allows you to automate tasks like resizing, changing file formats, and running actions on a batch of images efficiently.
Getting Started with Image Processor
The Image Processor is a powerful built-in script within Adobe Photoshop, perfect for processing multiple files without opening each one individually. This is particularly useful for photographers or designers needing to convert file types, create multiple versions of images, or apply consistent adjustments across a large set of photos.
Here’s how to access and start using the Image Processor, based on the provided steps:
1. Prepare Photoshop
Ensure you are actively in the Adobe Photoshop application. The reference suggests closing any open files, which isn't strictly necessary but can help keep your workspace tidy when starting a batch process.
2. Access the Script
Navigate to the Image Processor script using the Photoshop menus:
- Go to File
- Hover over Scripts
- Select Image Processor
This will open the Image Processor dialog box.
3. Select Your Images
The first step in the Image Processor dialog is to tell Photoshop which images you want to process. You have two main options: process currently open images or process images within a selected folder.
To process images from a folder:
- Under the section "Select the images to process", click the Select Folder... button.
- A browse window will appear. Navigate to the folder containing the images you wish to process. The reference uses the example folder path Photoshop Adv Class > Actions.
- Once you've located the desired folder, click Open (on Mac) or OK (on Windows) to select it.
Now, all compatible image files (like .jpg, .tif, .psd) within that selected folder will be targeted for processing.
What Can Image Processor Do?
After selecting your images, the Image Processor dialog offers several options to automate your workflow:
- File Type Conversion: Easily save images in different formats like JPEG, PSD, or TIFF. You can set quality levels for JPEGs and specify options for PSDs/TIFFs (e.g., include layers).
- Resizing: Fit images to a specific dimension by entering width and height values. This is great for creating web-sized images or thumbnails.
- Running Actions: Apply a saved Photoshop Action to every image in the batch. This allows you to automate complex edits, adjustments, or effects.
- Include Copyright Info: Add copyright metadata to the processed files.
Step-by-Step Processing Options
Once your folder is selected, you'll configure how you want the images processed within the same Image Processor dialog box.
- Select Location to Save Processed Images: Choose where you want the output files to go. You can save them in the same location or a different folder.
- File Type: Choose the desired file format(s) (JPEG, PSD, TIFF) and set specific options for each.
- Preferences: Specify resizing options, whether to include ICC profiles, and if you want to run a Photoshop action.
- Run: Click the Run button to start the batch process. Photoshop will then automatically open each selected image (briefly), apply the chosen settings, and save the new version according to your preferences.
The Image Processor streamlines repetitive tasks, saving significant time compared to manually processing each image.
