Command-J duplicates the entire current layer, or a portion of the current layer, if there’s a selection. It’s a great feature, and one I use daily.
For some strange reason, Command-J doesn’t do anything when there’s two layers or a layer group selected. Why? I realise there’s probably a decent technical reason for this, but a context sensitive “just dupe it” command would be really handy, even if it’s actually several different methods behind the scenes.
Is now a good time to mention that the Layer menu already contains an item that does most of these things, but it doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut by default? Pre-emptive strike: Assigning a keyboard shortcut wouldn’t help, as the menu item doesn’t duplicate selections within a layer (Command-J does).
For some strange reason, Command-J doesn’t do anything when there’s two layers or a layer group selected. Why? I realise there’s probably a decent technical reason for this, but a context sensitive “just dupe it” command would be really handy, even if it’s actually several different methods behind the scenes.
Is now a good time to mention that the Layer menu already contains an item that does most of these things, but it doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut by default? Pre-emptive strike: Assigning a keyboard shortcut wouldn’t help, as the menu item doesn’t duplicate selections within a layer (Command-J does).
Posted 8 years ago
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
A script could be made to do this (everything but use the cmd-j shortcut)
I'll try to put something together.
I'll try to put something together.
Right now I have it set up as command-J for dupe layer and dupe selection, plus command-shift-J for dupe layers and dupe group(s).
So there's already a good workaround. Just seems like it could be even better, allowing for faster workflows and less keyboard shortcuts. Less shortcuts for more ability.
So there's already a good workaround. Just seems like it could be even better, allowing for faster workflows and less keyboard shortcuts. Less shortcuts for more ability.
Ah.... I misunderstood. I thought you wanted to be able to dupe a selected potion from multiple layers... i.e. Command-J with a selection for multiple layers at once.
You were just asking to combine 2 shortcuts/commands into one a single command. That definitely makes sense.
If you would still find super cmd-j with a selection useful I could give you something :-)
You were just asking to combine 2 shortcuts/commands into one a single command. That definitely makes sense.
If you would still find super cmd-j with a selection useful I could give you something :-)
We have Copy Merged for doing that (which I use regularly!).
This wouldn't merge them. I don't know how helpful that would be, though.
Put this script into photoshop/presets/scripts and assign it to cmd-J. It should do exactly what you've requested.
try{
var idCpTL = charIDToTypeID( "CpTL" );
executeAction( idCpTL, undefined, DialogModes.NO );
}catch(e){
var idDplc = charIDToTypeID( "Dplc" );
var desc172 = new ActionDescriptor();
var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
var ref3 = new ActionReference();
var idLyr = charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " );
var idOrdn = charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" );
var idTrgt = charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" );
ref3.putEnumerated( idLyr, idOrdn, idTrgt );
desc172.putReference( idnull, ref3 );
var idVrsn = charIDToTypeID( "Vrsn" );
desc172.putInteger( idVrsn, 5 );
executeAction( idDplc, desc172, DialogModes.NO );
}
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
Cool.
Here it is as a file:
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...
David - that is great. thank you. Just wondering - can you script adjustment layers so that they always open in the CS3-style modal dialogues? I'm sure it can be done somehow.
You can assign this script to a keyboard shortcut to modify any* adjustment layer with a modal dialog. (*it doesn't work with gradient maps, though.. not sure why). You can't override the double-click behavior with a script.
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...
A panel could be made to make new adjustment layers and automatically open their editor.
http://sites.google.com/site/davidjen...
A panel could be made to make new adjustment layers and automatically open their editor.
Thanks again David that helps. But I'd love a preference in the next version of PS to have the modal windows replace the panel. I'm still trying to find ways to fully recreate modal dialogues like CS3. I feel that the adjustment panel is a big step backwards and it really slows me down. So many aspects of the panel bother me - I guess I'll start a proper feature request on this site. if you have any other adjustment layer scripts i would definetly check them out.
David, I know this is basic, but how do I 'assign' your script to cmd-J? I am able to see the scrip in CS5 extended and run it manually. I can also assign a F key to run the script, but how do I have the cmd-J to run it? Thanks in advance
Assign it using the keyboard shortcuts dialog (Edit->Keyboard Shortcuts...)
The script could do with a header. I wrote one but cannot post it here (see image). Grrr! Still cannot do it.
}
}
Thats an interesting script, but honestly why do we have to do this manually when it should be a feature?
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
The point of this site is for folks to make feature requests for improvements directly to Photoshop - and this idea is a good one that's under consideration. A side benefit is that cool users like David Jensen and Shangara are posting helpful scripts to help improve users workflows in the meantime.
It seems like a perfect demonstration of why scripting ability and direct feedback to the Photoshop team is a great combination. It lets fringe features be built and tested.
"Should be a feature" only exists after someone—either from the public or at Adobe—has suggested it.
I've been pushing for this feature for almost a year now and am very excited that maybe some day soon it'll be part of Photoshop and therefore accelerate my workflow.
"Should be a feature" only exists after someone—either from the public or at Adobe—has suggested it.
I've been pushing for this feature for almost a year now and am very excited that maybe some day soon it'll be part of Photoshop and therefore accelerate my workflow.
Howard Pinsky, Champion
David Dobish, Senior QE Photoshop
This has got to be a cruel Adobe joke! I just assumed, like millions of other users, the plug-in is for script writers who want to debug their scripts.
Why isn't there an interface to turn the ScriptListner on and off and given a name that would attract non-scripting people to try it, or a Scripts panel on par with Actions?
Why isn't there an interface to turn the ScriptListner on and off and given a name that would attract non-scripting people to try it, or a Scripts panel on par with Actions?
christoph pfaffenbichler, Champion
Is this a joke on your part?
Adobe provides ExtendScript Toolkit to edit and test Scripts, a Scripts Panel in Photoshop seems utterly unnecessary.
Scripting is a slightly more complicated technique than using Actions (ease of use being one of the advantages of Actions) – if you want to give Scripting a try Photoshop ships with the documentation, just check out the Folder »Scripting« beside the application.
Adobe provides ExtendScript Toolkit to edit and test Scripts, a Scripts Panel in Photoshop seems utterly unnecessary.
Scripting is a slightly more complicated technique than using Actions (ease of use being one of the advantages of Actions) – if you want to give Scripting a try Photoshop ships with the documentation, just check out the Folder »Scripting« beside the application.
I don't want to give scripting a try. That's the point of the post (YMMV).
I would rather not try scripting either...but if I do try, is there a way to STOP duplicating ONLY locked layers or groups - but not selections/unlocked layers/groups with the (command-)option-drag keyboard shortcut?? I can't envision how that could possibly work.
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
The scripting is not an issue, but not every one CAN or WANTS to script- especially something as basic as this. Programmers script. Artists do not. I agree the script is a solution that works. The issue is that Photoshop already has the duplication functionality that works with layers, and it should automatically work with anything within the layers panel. Hardly a pet feature. Scripting something like this is really just a band-aid for functionality that isn't a complete thought. I guess this is a common result of working ON the program- not in the program.
"Photoshop the most intuitive, user friendly and complete image editing program in the World" - not sure where that came from, but this is NOT entirely accurate.
"Photoshop the most intuitive, user friendly and complete image editing program in the World" - not sure where that came from, but this is NOT entirely accurate.
christoph pfaffenbichler, Champion
»Programmers script. Artists do not.«
If certain artists don’t feel like learning to use and maintain their tools they may have high brush-related-expenses ...
»"Photoshop the most intuitive, user friendly and complete image editing program in the World" - not sure where that came from, but this is NOT entirely accurate.«
Then please do tell, which program is?
If certain artists don’t feel like learning to use and maintain their tools they may have high brush-related-expenses ...
»"Photoshop the most intuitive, user friendly and complete image editing program in the World" - not sure where that came from, but this is NOT entirely accurate.«
Then please do tell, which program is?
Certain programmers don't feel like learning how to paint either because they are busy thinking they are smarter than everyone else...one can maintain their tools just fine without scripting.
There is NO one program that is the best at anything or does everything perfectly. Some functions are intuitive, but there are many features that are completely unintuitive. Photoshop has a Legacy of being the first, but like many other software packages is getting bloated with useless features and not refining its current workflows. It's like saying Microsoft Word is the best word processing software.
There is NO one program that is the best at anything or does everything perfectly. Some functions are intuitive, but there are many features that are completely unintuitive. Photoshop has a Legacy of being the first, but like many other software packages is getting bloated with useless features and not refining its current workflows. It's like saying Microsoft Word is the best word processing software.
christoph pfaffenbichler, Champion
»There is NO one program that is the best at anything«
While it is certainly possible for other programs to be the equal or superior in any one or all aspects it would seem to me that that does not at all rule out the possibility for relative superiority at all.
Comparison can be used to arrive at a ranking of the objects of said comparison, so your statement seems peculiar.
Edit: But maybe I misunderstand ...
While it is certainly possible for other programs to be the equal or superior in any one or all aspects it would seem to me that that does not at all rule out the possibility for relative superiority at all.
Comparison can be used to arrive at a ranking of the objects of said comparison, so your statement seems peculiar.
Edit: But maybe I misunderstand ...
christoph pfaffenbichler, Champion
I guess I’m just being cantankerous, so please ignore the last post.
try{}catch(e){}
^ that's the extent of the code I wrote. The rest I just copied from a Photoshop plugin that spits out a chunk of code every time something.is done in Photoshop.
That doesn't make me a programmer any more than painting a few brush strokes makes me an artist.
Scripting is just another tool, and it can be used by an artist. I'm sure there are some who think artists shouldn't use a computer at all.
^ that's the extent of the code I wrote. The rest I just copied from a Photoshop plugin that spits out a chunk of code every time something.is done in Photoshop.
That doesn't make me a programmer any more than painting a few brush strokes makes me an artist.
Scripting is just another tool, and it can be used by an artist. I'm sure there are some who think artists shouldn't use a computer at all.
DaveP - out of curiosity - would you name one professional image editing program that is in the same league with Photoshop today? No challenge intended here - just wondering.
Very good idea and solution. But i have a problem, I added it its directory but it doesn't appear in File > Scripts menu.
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
Did you restart Photoshop?
sure
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
And it didn't show up after restart?
unfortunately. i also tried restart again after your comment but it didn't make any sense.
I'm excited to see this in CS6
:)
Thank you everyone for requesting and coming up with a solution for the meantime
:)
Thank you everyone for requesting and coming up with a solution for the meantime
Has this been officially announced?
no no, sorry, i just saw the under consideration and the work around.
Jeffrey Tranberry, Sr. Product Manager, Digital Imaging
