Here is the basics...
First, where do you find documentation?
Answer: On your own computer, it gets installed with your version of Photoshop.
In the following folders:
PC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS#\Scripting Guide
MAC: <hard drive>/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS#/ Scripting Guide
Here you will find :-
Photoshop Scripting Guide.pdf
AppleScript Reference Guide.pdf
JavaScript Reference Guide.pdf
VisualBasic Reference Guide.pdf
On a PC you can script using VisualBasic or JavaScript
On a Mac you can script using AppleScript or JavaScript
As you can see JavaScript is Cross Platform works on both PC and Mac so all the following will reference JavaScript.
To create/edit your scripts Adobe has kindly supplied you with an editor/debugger
This is called ExtendScript Toolkit)
This utility can be found in the relevant folder:-
PC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Utilities
MAC: <hard drive>/Applications/Utilities/Adobe Utilities
Now for the ubiquitous Hello World program
[code]
alert(“Hello World”);
[/code]
Now you will need to run the code. There are a few ways this can be done.
From Extendscript Toolkit (With Photoshop selected from the dropdown box).
Save the script to anywhere you like or use the preferred folders
PC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS#\Presets\Scripts
MAC: <hard drive>/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS#/ Presets/Scripts
Once the script has been saved, in Photoshop File – Scripts and select you script (if you have saved it in the preferred folder) or File – Scripts – Browse (to where you have saved it)
An action can be created to call a script or a keyboard shortcut via
Edit – Keyboard Shortcuts – File – Scripts
It is even possible to write a javaScript resource so that you script will show in the Filter or Help Menu.
For a few more javaScript examples look no further than your own machine:-
PC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS#\Scripting Guide\Sample Scripts\JavaScript
MAC: <hard drive>/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS#/ Scripting Guide/Sample Scripts/JavaScript
