Basic Scripting?

[EmigrantMtChris]

How would I go about creating a script? Basically, I want to run a script on an image that creates a virtual copy, sets the crop aspect ratio of the copy, and adds a tag to the copied image. Ideally, I'd like to be able to run this script on a selection of multiple images, processing each one individually.

Is this possible in Lightroom 2.6? Is there a better way to go about what I'm trying to do? Thanks!

 

[Brad Snyder]

Emigrant, welcome.

No scripting, as such. I'd approach that task like this. In Library Grid view, select the target images. Click on the plus sign in the Collections panel header bar in the Left Hand Panel. Name the Collection 'Foley Wedding - 5x7 VCs', select both 'Include Selected Photos', and 'Make New Virtual Copies'. View the new collection, while still in Grid View. Ctrl-A to select all the new VCs. In the Right Hand Quick Develop panel, choose the crop ratio to apply, and in the 'Click here to add keywords' box, add the new keyword tag(s).

Note that the crops will be centered, so they will likely need tweaking in Develop Crop, press R, for framing, or artistic effect.

 

[EmigrantMtChris]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll try what you suggested. Do you happen to know if scripting will be in LR3?

 

[Brad Snyder]

Don't think so. Once you get your head around applying changes to multiple images simultaneously, I don't think you'll miss it. Because we're all used to traditional software that opens, adjusts, saves individual images in sequence, it takes a while to get used to what amounts to having up to 1'''s of images open at the same time, without ever actually opening them, or having to save them when you're done.

 

[johnbeardy]

Brad says "no scripting, as such", and I agree that LR (unlike Photoshop) is essentially about batch work, so image editing's traditional need for scripting is built in. Learn to use Auto Sync mode in Develop - it's the fastest way to work.

But depending what you mean, there is basic scripting - it's called the SDK and uses the Lua programming language. You can write plug-ins, or create simpler individual scripts which can run out of a Scripts folder. However, scripts can't create VC's which you can create with the shortcut ', they can't apply crops but you can do so to multiple images simultaneously using AutoSync mode, and they can't add keyword tags (though they can update other IPTC fields).

It's completely lacking VB or AppleScript, and I see little sign of that changing in the medium term. Not good for a professional app.

John

 

[MarkNicholas]

[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8823.msg59328#msg59328 date=1262681452]

It's completely lacking VB or AppleScript, and I see little sign of that changing in the medium term. Not good for a professional app.

John
[/quote]

But nice and simple for us amateurs

 

[johnbeardy]

In the sense of being unable to do anything, or relying on others.... A lot of "amateurs" are professionals in their own fields and have learnt VB scripting by recording Excel macros for example. Instead of being offered a gentle learning curve, the Lua-only model places a big step in the way (as well as making it tough to integrate with non-Adobe applications).

John