PhotoshopNews reader, Larry, wrote in and said:
“I’m looking for any information about the updates to the JavaScript scripting in Photoshop CS2. I can’t seem to find anyone who knows anything about new User Interface functions for JavaScript scripting.” Here you go Larry.

Photoshop CS2 will have even more scripting support with the addition of the new Scripts Events Manager.

The Script Events Manager Dialog
(click image for full size view)

The Scripts Event Manager will allow users to attach specific scripts and run them based upon events occurring in Photoshop CS2. So a user could, for example, call a specific script and run it every time Photoshop is launched. Users could create a script that would set their preferences to a certain state and always be ensured that Photoshop would be set up a certain way. Another example would be when opening a “New Document” the new document event could prompt a script that would make sure that the document properties were exactly as required.

Detail of the Events drop-down menu. Note: users can define their own events for any supported scriptable event from the Scripting Reference.

For those who are unable to write custom Javascripts, the Script Events Manager can also be used to call a saved Action from a specified Action Set. While actions are somewhat more limited in automating Photoshop functionality, actions have the benefit that users can record and edit actions without any scripting experience.

Detail of the Events Manager Actions list-note, custom actions will show up under user named action sets

While previous versions of Photoshop had script running functionality, the new Script Events Manager further extends the usefulness of scripts in Photoshop CS2. With the additional ability to control not only scripts but actions and also combinations of scripts and actions, the Script Events Manager is one of those “stealth” features that crop up in Photoshop where not much is mentioned until it gets into the hands of users who discover just how powerful it can be.

In addition, Adobe Bridge, the new stand-alone application for browsing, has been opened up even more for script additions. There is an entire script SDK for writing and running scripts in Bridge. This SDK will (we believe) be on the installer disks for Photoshop CS2 as well as Creative Suite 2.

Hope this helps Larry.

This story was posted on Sunday, April 17th, 2005 at 1:23 pm and is filed under Letters to the Editor, Scripting & Automation. You can follow any responses to this story through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.