Photoshop extendscript javascript save to text file a list of layers

How to Save a List of Layers in Photoshop using ExtendScript JavaScript

As a graphic designer, I have often found myself needing to save a list of layers in Photoshop. This can be a tedious task, especially when there are multiple layers involved. Fortunately, with the help of ExtendScript JavaScript, this task can be automated.

Step 1: Open Photoshop and Create a New Document

First, open Photoshop and create a new document. This can be done by clicking on File > New or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac).

Step 2: Create Some Layers

Next, create some layers in the document. This can be done by clicking on the New Layer button in the Layers panel or by using the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+N (Windows) or Shift+Command+N (Mac).

Step 3: Open ExtendScript Toolkit

Open ExtendScript Toolkit by clicking on File > Scripts > Open in ExtendScript Toolkit or by using the keyboard shortcut Alt+Ctrl+F12 (Windows) or Option+Command+F12 (Mac).

Step 4: Create a New Script

In ExtendScript Toolkit, create a new script by clicking on File > New or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac).

Step 5: Write the Script

Now it's time to write the script. The following code will save a list of layers to a text file:

var doc = app.activeDocument;
var layers = doc.layers;
var layerCount = layers.length;
var layerNames = "";

for (var i = 0; i < layerCount; i++) {
  layerNames += layers[i].name + "\n";
}

var file = File.saveDialog("Save layer names", "Text files: *.txt");
file.open("w");
file.write(layerNames);
file.close();

This script gets the active document and all of its layers. It then loops through each layer and adds its name to a string called layerNames. Finally, it prompts the user to save the list to a text file.

Step 6: Run the Script

To run the script, simply click on the Run button in ExtendScript Toolkit or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac).

Once the script has finished running, a save dialog box will appear. Choose a location and file name for the text file and click Save.

Alternative Method: Export Layers to a File

Another way to save a list of layers is to export them to a file. This can be done using the following script:

var doc = app.activeDocument;
var outputFolder = Folder.selectDialog("Select output folder");
var layers = doc.layers;
var layerCount = layers.length;

for (var i = 0; i < layerCount; i++) {
  var layer = layers[i];
  var layerName = layer.name;
  var layerFileName = layerName.replace(/[^\w]/g, "_") + ".png";
  var outputFile = new File(outputFolder + "/" + layerFileName);
  
  layer.visible = true;
  doc.exportDocument(outputFile, ExportType.SAVEFORWEB);
  layer.visible = false;
}

This script exports each layer as a PNG file to a chosen output folder. The name of each exported file is based on the layer name.

Conclusion

These are just a few ways to save a list of layers in Photoshop using ExtendScript JavaScript. With these tools, graphic designers can save time and energy by automating repetitive tasks.