copy the properties from one layer to another

[buga]

hello that such

You see, I would like to make a script and would like to ask you for help to get it.

I would like to copy the properties from one layer to another, (width, height, position x, and position y).

Can you help me please?

How could I select the layer (to be copied properties), after running the script?

would greatly appreciate your help.

regards

[pfaffenbichler]

Conferring width and height may necessitate a resampling transformation – is that really your intention?

How could I select the layer (to be copied properties), after running the script?
There are several options.
• a dialog that lists all layers to select the target one
• storing the bounds interim and split the operation into two Scripts
• have the Script check for stored bounds, if none are found store them, if some are found apply them to the active Layer and erase the stored bounds
• have the Script operate on two selected Layers, taking the bounds of the one and apply them to the other

[buga]

Thank you very much for your answer.

I like the first three options you mention. I'm learning to write scripts and I would like to do so in three ways.

Could you please help me?

Do you know any post that explains something of the options you mention?

thanks

[pfaffenbichler]

This should provide a dialog that lists all the layers in a file.
Code: Select all// 2012, use it at your own risk;
#target photoshop
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
////////////////////////////////////
// get document-path and -title;
   var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
   try {var myDocName = myDocument.name.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1]
      var myPath = myDocument.path}
   catch (e) {var myDocName = myDocument.name
      var myPath = "~/Desktop"};
   var theLayers = collectLayers(myDocument, []);
////////////////////////////////////
// create the dialog;   
   var dlg = new Window('dialog', "select layer", [500,300,930,800]);   
//create list for layer-selection;
   dlg.layerRange = dlg.add('panel', [21,20,279,445], "select layer");
   dlg.layerRange.layersList = dlg.layerRange.add('listbox', [11,20,240,405], '', {multiselect: false});
   for (var q = 0; q < theLayers.length; q++) {
      dlg.layerRange.layersList.add ("item", theLayers[q].name);
      };
   dlg.layerRange.layersList.items[0].selected = true;
// ok- and cancel-buttons;
   dlg.buildBtn = dlg.add('button', [220,460,410,485], 'OK', {name:'ok'});
   dlg.cancelBtn = dlg.add('button', [21,460,210,485], 'Cancel', {name:'cancel'});
   dlg.center();
////////////////////////////////////
   var myReturn = dlg.show ();
// in case of OK;
   if (myReturn == 1) {
// get the number instead of the name;
      for (var p = 0; p < dlg.layerRange.layersList.items.length; p++) {
         if (dlg.layerRange.layersList.items[p].selected == true) {
            var theTarget = theLayers[p];
            }
         };
      alert (theTarget);
      }
   };
else {alert ("no document open")};
////////////////////////////////////
////// function collect all layers //////
function collectLayers (theParent, allLayers) {
   if (!allLayers) {var allLayers = new Array}
   else {};
   for (var m = theParent.layers.length - 1; m >= 0;m--) {
      var theLayer = theParent.layers[m];
// apply the function to layersets;
      if (theLayer.typename == "ArtLayer") {
         allLayers.push(theLayer)
         }
      else {
// this line includes the layer groups;
         allLayers.push(theLayer);
         collectLayers(theLayer, allLayers)
         }
      }
   return allLayers
};
Edit: And as usual using Action Manager code instead of the Document Object Model should make the Script run faster, but make it less easily readable.

As for method 2 (»storing the bounds interim and split the operation into two Scripts«) and 3 (»have the Script check for stored bounds, if none are found …«) the information can be stored in a txt-file in some specific place or in a custom NameSpace in the metadata.
For the latter see
http://forums.adobe.com/message/4066555#4066555
where Paul Riggott uses that to store guide-information.

All in all I would think that method 3 would make the most sense; basically the Script could on every other run store the selected Layer’s bounds and then apply and remove them.

[buga]

Many thanks for your code and information. will be of great help.

I have a doubt.
The layers appear in reverse order

How could reverse the listing of the layers showing?

--

Another question aside in case anyone would be so kind.
There are several methods to copy the coordinates and measures from one layer to another, but I would like to use the transform tool.

How is it done?

I have created an action and I have become a script:

Code: Select allcTID = function(s) { return app.charIDToTypeID(s); };
sTID = function(s) { return app.stringIDToTypeID(s); };

function Transformar(X,Y,W,H) {
    x=(X/2)+X;
    y=(Y/2)+Y;
    w=W;
    h=H;
  // Transformar
  function step1(enabled, withDialog) {
    if (enabled != undefined && !enabled)
      return;
    var dialogMode = (withDialog ? DialogModes.ALL : DialogModes.NO);
    var desc1 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var ref1 = new ActionReference();
    ref1.putEnumerated(cTID('Lyr '), cTID('Ordn'), cTID('Trgt'));
    desc1.putReference(cTID('null'), ref1);
    desc1.putEnumerated(cTID('FTcs'), cTID('QCSt'), sTID("QCSAverage"));
    var desc2 = new ActionDescriptor();
    desc2.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hrzn'), cTID('#Pxl'), x);
    desc2.putUnitDouble(cTID('Vrtc'), cTID('#Pxl'), y);
    desc1.putObject(cTID('Ofst'), cTID('Ofst'), desc2);
    desc1.putUnitDouble(cTID('Wdth'), cTID('#Pxl'),w);
    desc1.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hght'), cTID('#Pxl'), h);
    executeAction(sTID('transform'), desc1, dialogMode);
  };

  step1();      // Transformar
};

The problem is that I have changed the code so that the width and height, pixels are used instead of percentage

desc1.putUnitDouble(cTID('Wdth'), cTID('#Pxl'),w);
desc1.putUnitDouble(cTID('Hght'), cTID('#Pxl'), h);

but does not work properly. Percentages used instead of pixels (only in width/Height) (X/Y work properly)

What is the error? How could I fix it? How do you use the transform tool using code?

Thank you very much in advance, and sorry for my English, I'm Spanish.

greetings

[pfaffenbichler]

How could reverse the listing of the layers showing?
You could for example change the for-function to
Code: Select all   for (var m = 0; m < theParent.layers.length; m++) {
instead of
Code: Select all   for (var m = theParent.layers.length - 1; m >= 0;m--) {

Percentages used instead of pixels (only in width/Height) (X/Y work properly)
Calculate the percentages.
new width / old width * 100 etc.

[pfaffenbichler]

Another thing: You could use one Script that acts differently depending on whether the shift-key is being pressed when starting it.
For example you could have the Script store the bounds of activeLayer if running with shift-key pressed, but apply the stored dimensions to the active Layer when running without.

I picked the technique up from Paul Riggott and Mike Hale some time ago.
Code: Select allif(ScriptUI.environment.keyboardState.shiftKey ){
alert ("shift")
}
else {
alert ("no shift")
};

[buga]

Thanks, everything works perfect.

Thank you so much for your help.

regards

[pfaffenbichler]

So which method of selecting the target Layer did you use?
Or if you Scripted several versions which one performs most conveniently?

[buga]

The first method that you suggested. the layers list.

Thank you very much for your code.

I'd try the method 3 (but without external txt) storing metadata. But it's too complicated for me.

I'm not good programmer

regards