I'm currently working towards a degree in web programming. Hopefully, I will eventually start developing applications for photographers. After spending the last 10 years in a studio environment and now having my own post-produciton business, I see a lot of what photographers need and real world applications.
All that to say I want to get a good grasp on scripting in PS. I already know javascript pretty well, however I wanted to know if there is one scripting language I should learn over another, or if I should learn all three? The manual says that Javascript works on both Mac and Win, where as AppleScript is Mac only and likewise VB is Win. So what would be the advantage to using AppleScript or VB over Javascript? Would it matter if I wanted to eventually create apps that would interact with PS? Such as a program that sends an image to PS runs some scripts and brings it back in to the original program?
thanks!
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Mike Hale
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If you are just working with Photoshop( or other Adobe apps that support ExtendScript ) I would recommend that you use ExtendScript. It is cross platform although there are some slight differences between Windows and Mac. The other advantages of javascript is it can be run through the scripts menu or an action, it can be coded to work like a plug-in, and has way to create a user interface( ScriptUI ).
One of the advantages of VBS or AppleScript is the same script can work with non Adobe apps. For example with VBS you could open Excel, open a spreadsheet, get some data from that sheet, close both, then use that data in Photoshop.
One of the advantages of VBS or AppleScript is the same script can work with non Adobe apps. For example with VBS you could open Excel, open a spreadsheet, get some data from that sheet, close both, then use that data in Photoshop.
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BuckeyeFan
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Mike Hale wrote: One of the advantages of VBS or AppleScript is the same script can work with non Adobe apps. For example with VBS you could open Excel, open a spreadsheet, get some data from that sheet, close both, then use that data in Photoshop.
Ok, this is kind of what I was looking for. If I plan to create an application like some cloud based workflow app, then I would need to use VB script and/or Apple Script to allow that program to communicate with Photoshop and run tasks. Of course then I'm getting into multi-platform development which is a long way off (aka, when I can afford to hire someone to write apps for the Mac).
I think my plan of action may be to work on the Javascript first, then move to VB script (which I have feeling will just fall into place and I'll be more familiar with after more vb.net), and then hire someone when I'm ready to let the Mac world use my super awesome new program that's not even thought of yet.
Ok, this is kind of what I was looking for. If I plan to create an application like some cloud based workflow app, then I would need to use VB script and/or Apple Script to allow that program to communicate with Photoshop and run tasks. Of course then I'm getting into multi-platform development which is a long way off (aka, when I can afford to hire someone to write apps for the Mac).
I think my plan of action may be to work on the Javascript first, then move to VB script (which I have feeling will just fall into place and I'll be more familiar with after more vb.net), and then hire someone when I'm ready to let the Mac world use my super awesome new program that's not even thought of yet.
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larsen67
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I would agree with what mike has already said… Use extendscript for all the in app processing… When you have this working as you wish you can. Call this from either VB or AppleScript application and pass it arguments… Im mac only so I can't say for VB but AppleScript has NO action manager class and you need to call extendscript to access this… There is much in PS that requires this… You can make stand alone apps in AppleScript. I would think if you wanted to support both platforms then you should be looking at an Extension Builder with actionscript and AIR? I've only just started to look into this myself…
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jacobolus
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You can have photoshop execute a Javascript* by just calling Photoshop.exe and passing in the script on the windows command line, or using the "open" tool from the Mac command line.
In other words, there’s no special need to involve AppleScript or VBScript.
* You should just think of “Extendscript” as basically Javascript; the “extended” parts – embedded XML, operator overloading, the include feature, reflection objects – are all pretty crappy and irrelevant in my opinion, and can be avoided entirely if you like.
In other words, there’s no special need to involve AppleScript or VBScript.
* You should just think of “Extendscript” as basically Javascript; the “extended” parts – embedded XML, operator overloading, the include feature, reflection objects – are all pretty crappy and irrelevant in my opinion, and can be avoided entirely if you like.