Processing question: How can I invert multiple images

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 18-11-2006, 10:38 AM

I'd like to be able to invert a few thousand bmps in one batch (ie create negative images). Is anyone aware of a program that will do this or knows of a technique to do this with commonly available programs like Irfanview etc?

Thanks

sheeny (Al) · #2 18-11-2006, 11:08 AM

Can't you do that with a script in PS?

I've never used a script in PS, but that's exactly what I'd expect to be able to do with one!

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 18-11-2006, 11:48 AM

Double dutch to me Al

ving (David) · #4 18-11-2006, 12:12 PM

tell me paul, who is the best?

iceman (Mike) · #5 18-11-2006, 12:38 PM

I would've thought virtualdub could do it?

sheeny (Al) · #6 18-11-2006, 12:58 PM

Paul,

In PS CS2 open the help menu... Click on "How to Customise and Automate", etc. I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to have a play... never know might learn something!

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 18-11-2006, 01:14 PM

You're the man ving

I'll download it and give it a go.

Could do Mike I'll have a look if vings find doesn't do the job for me.

I'm trying to cheat with PCFE. I figure if I can invert images of sunspots so the background is blackish, maybe, just maybe, PCFE will work with them

sheeny (Al) · #8 18-11-2006, 01:22 PM

OK Paul, I've just done it in PS. Once!

Let's see how I go explaining it!

1. Create a folder where you negs will be saved (you may not need to do this

but I did).
2. Open one of the files you want to process.
3. Open the Action Pallette in PS and press the New Action Button. Get the Action a Name. I called mine "Invert Image". All the steps you do to process the image from here on are recorded in the Action.
4.Invert the image.
5. Save a copy in the target folder.
6. Press the "Stop Playing/Recording" button on the Action Pallette.
7. Goto File, Scripts, Script Event Manager. Enable scripts/actions. Choose Open document as the Photoshop event. Select Action button, at the bottom of the "Automation Workspaces" drop down box you should find th action "Invert Image" which we just made. Select that.
8.Open the files you want to process, and viola!

They are processed into the target folder as negatives.

Now Paul if you can follow my instructions with success first time we are both genii!

Good luck!

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #9 18-11-2006, 01:38 PM

Tried it ving, thanks but command line stuff leaves me scratching my head.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 18-11-2006, 02:08 PM

It works well Al. As long as I remember to turn of the profile dialogue that opens each time a non adobeRGB image opens so I don't have to keep clicking ok

The bad news is, inverting to negative still doesn't help with PCFE, it still chokes. Oh well, It was a good idea while it lasted

. And like you Al I've learnt something today

I'll have to check out Virtual Dub and see if I can do it there as well

sheeny (Al) · #11 18-11-2006, 02:16 PM

Just thinking a bit more about this Paul...

If you do have a go using PS as I mentioned above, given the numbers of images you want to process it might be worth closing the file before you stop recording the Action. Don't know whether it works that way but if it opens each file in turn and applies the Action then it might save bogging your PC.

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 18-11-2006, 02:17 PM

Did that

It takes a while to do 4700 images

sheeny (Al) · #13 18-11-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

It works well Al. As long as I remember to turn of the profile dialogue that opens each time a non adobeRGB image opens so I don't have to keep clicking ok

The bad news is, inverting to negative still doesn't help with PCFE, it still chokes. Oh well, It was a good idea while it lasted

. And like you Al I've learnt something today

I'll have to check out Virtual Dub and see if I can do it there as well

Oh well... you get that. It was worth a try, especially since we've learned something!

Al.

sheeny (Al) · #14 18-11-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Did that

It takes a while to do 4700 images

That's what computers are for!

Al.

okiscopey (Mike) · #15 18-11-2006, 10:50 PM

It's easy, well, when you've done it a few times.

Here's how to do it (and other batch processes) in Photoshop:

Window .. Actions

(Optional: drag the window to the tabbed area along with Channels, History. Layers, etc.)

Activate drop-down list from triangle in 'Actions' tab. Select 'New action' and call it 'Invert'.

Hit 'Record'.

File .. Open (find one of your files).

When your selected file is open: Image .. Adjustments ... Invert

Save as ... any name .. to desktop (it's just a temporary 'Photoshop training file' to be discarded later)

File ... Close.

Actions tab (triangle): Stop recording.

Photoshop has now been 'trained' to Open, Invert, Save and Close a file.

Now to batch process:

Create a new folder to receive the batched files.

File ... Automate ... Batch...

(Play) Set: ('Invert" action should already be selected. If not, find it in drop-down list)

Source: Folder (find the folder containing your original files)

Tick all four boxes below (to prevent Photoshop asking where to save for each file, etc.)

Destination: Folder (find the new receiving folder you created)

Tick 'Override' box.

Hit 'OK'.

Sit back and watch hundreds of files being converted automagically.

(Don't forget to discard the 'training file' on your desktop.)