Batch

You can access the Batch command in Photoshop or Bridge. As with other automated commands, the main difference is choosing a folder (Photoshop) or choosing specific files (Bridge). You must have recorded an action before using the Batch command because you need to choose the action you want to use from a menu (Figure 6.13).

Figure 6.13 Batch dialog.

If you choose File > Automate > Batch in Photoshop, you can choose a folder or apply the process to the files you have open. In Bridge, you can choose specific images and then access Batch from Tools > Photoshop. After selecting the files, set the other options for running the batch:

• Override Action “Open” Commands: If your action contains an Open command, the Open command runs unless you check this option.

• Include All Subfolders: Check this option to process files in subfolders within the folder you select.

• Suppress File Open Options Dialogs: Check this option to disregard any options that might display when files are opened.

• Suppress Color Profile Warnings: Check this option to ensure that a batch process won’t be halted due to warning dialogs regarding color profile mismatches.

Then, choose a destination for the results of the batch process. I recommend creating a separate folder to avoid overwriting—in error—the original files. Technically, you could select the original destination to overwrite the original files, or None to leave the resulting files open in Photoshop.

Check the Override Action “Save As” Commands to ignore any Save As parameters in the action and use the filenames of the files. Finally, choose a filenaming system for the results of the batch process.