Export > Layers to files

[Jimmy4Thumbs]

I'm on a Mac Photoshop 2025.
When I Export>Layers to files... always stops and asks for each image's name
I have a psd file composed of 16 equally sized layers with different content. I want to export each layer as a separate file.

When I select File > Export to Files... , fill in the boxes, and start the export; Photoshop ignores the prefix text I entered in the previous box, and the export is stopped as a "Save as..." name dialogue box opens with unknown file name as the name. I simply want it to iterate. For example in the Export to Files dialogue box it asks for prefix text. I enter "Warm-up_." Photoshop ignores this and opens the Save as dialogue box for each image with "unknown file name" as the name of the file.

What setting or behavior must I change to get Photoshop to simple save 16 files as "Warm-up_1", Warm-up_2", etc. automatically? This is driving me crazy! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @Jimmy4Thumbs

I am on a Mac Photoshop 25 as well and use this "Layers to Files" command on a Layer Stack of 6 layers.


I specified the prefix to "test export to files" and there are the files that showed up:



It exported files from the top layer going down tagging it with a number and also the Layer name.

I did not see any issues on my end so not sure what is going on.

Are you doing this as a manual command or trying it in an Action?
Something is missing.
John Wheeler

 

[[ iLLuSioN ]]

You could test an improved version with more options...

GitHub - antipalindrome/Photoshop-Export-Layers-to-Files-Fast: This script allows you to export your layers as individual files at a speed much faster than the built-in script from Adobe.

This script allows you to export your layers as individual files at a speed much faster than the built-in script from Adobe. - antipalindrome/Photoshop-Export-Layers-to-Files-Fast

github.com

To me this sounds like a rights issue...

 

[Jimmy4Thumbs]

Hi @Jimmy4Thumbs

I am on a Mac Photoshop 25 as well and use this "Layers to Files" command on a Layer Stack of 6 layers.
View attachment 150528

I specified the prefix to "test export to files" and there are the files that showed up:

View attachment 150529

It exported files from the top layer going down tagging it with a number and also the Layer name.

I did not see any issues on my end so not sure what is going on.

Are you doing this as a manual command or trying it in an Action?
Something is missing.
John Wheeler

I'm doing it as a manual action. It will begin the export of the layer as a file, but it interrupts each save with a manual "Save as... " dialogue box. requiring user intervention. I've spent a long time in “Setting" trying to find something that's forcing it to "save as..." instead of just "save" with incremental numbers in the file name.


I appreciate you testing it for me to eliminate the hardware and software as an issue. It must be a permission setting somewhere.

Thanks!

 

[Jimmy4Thumbs]

You could test an improved version with more options...

GitHub - antipalindrome/Photoshop-Export-Layers-to-Files-Fast: This script allows you to export your layers as individual files at a speed much faster than the built-in script from Adobe.

This script allows you to export your layers as individual files at a speed much faster than the built-in script from Adobe. - antipalindrome/Photoshop-Export-Layers-to-Files-Fast

github.com

To me this sounds like a rights issue...

I'll give it a try later today.

Thanks!

 

[thebestcpu]

I'll give it a try later today.

Thanks!

Hope the improved script does it for you.
Have you considered or tried just resetting PS settings/prefrrences?
Might be with a try.

 

[MarshySwamp]

My expectation wouldn't be to record the Export Layers to Files script into an action.

Other generic options include:

https://github.com/Paul-Riggott/PS-Scripts/blob/master/Layer Saver.jsx

https://github.com/Paul-Riggott/PS-Scripts/blob/master/Layer Saver Plus.jsx

https://github.com/mechanicious/photoshopCompositionComposer

Batch:
https://www.marspremedia.com/software/photoshop/save-layers

Then there are custom scripts that have been developed for specific purposes.