Unlimited Grid Layouts User Guide

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ContentsRequirements and description 1About PSD templates 1How files are organized 1Little light on subject 1What are Variables and Data Sets 1Why there are so many groups in Layers panel 2What are image and placeholder layers? 2About custom layouts 2Using images with transparency 2About file formats you can use 3A must read: about help and support 3Using PSD Templates 4Step 1 Batch rename files in Adobe Bridge 4Step 2 Paste file with Data Sets in folder with images 4Step 3 Open template and load Data Sets 4Step 4 Export Data Sets 5Step 5 Customize exported files 5Step 6 Take advantage of amazing flexibility with PSD templates 5Step 7 The best part: customize and modify any template 5Customization Tips 7Customization tip 1 Change file format and naming convention in Data Sets text file 7Customization tip 2 Expand number of Data Sets 7Customization tip 3 Change Pixel Replacement method 7Customization tip 4 Add design elements to template 8Customization tip 5 Batch renaming images in Bridge 8Troubleshooting tips 9Troubleshooting tip 1 Error message: “Could not apply data set” 9Troubleshooting tip 2 “Could not parse the file contents as data set” 9Important note 9

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Requirements and description Minimum requirement to safely use PSD templates files with defined variables included in Unlimited Grid Layouts is Photoshop CS4. I tested all features on Photoshop CS4/5/6 and thats the reason I can guaranty everything will work perfect if you follow simple instructions later in this file.

About PSD templatesPSD templates are extremely flexible and easy to use. You can resize (resample) created layout to just any size and aspect ratio. All PSD layouts have variables attached to file so you do not need to deal with Variables and to learn how to create them. The real power with Variables is that you can generate unlimited number of files with the same layout but different JPG images placed in defined placeholders (up to 225 per file) in a minutes. JPG images are not limitation, you can use any supported file format. To use PSD templates you will need first to select and batch rename files you want to use in Adobe Bridge, it will take only a minute. All you have to do is to choose layout, resize it then to load Data Sets text file which is also provided along with PSD files. After loading txt file you can export (with files provided in this package) 20 PSD files in chosen layout with up to 4500 images.

Lets say you have 4500 images on your hard drive and you want to arrange them in 15x15 grid layout which will require 20 different files. First step is to batch rename all files using Adobe Bridge. It is matter just to select files then to evoke Batch Re-name command. After renaming files open 15x15 template PSD file and resize it to just any size. You can also change resolu-tion and color mode by the way. Since PSD files have defined variables you will need just to load Data Sets text files which you will copy and paste in folder with images. After previewing layouts with images and how all final files will be exported, you can add stroke between images in any desired width. Last step is to export 20 PSD files using File > Export > Data Sets as Files command. Done! You have 20 PSD files with 4500 different images arranged in 15x15 grids. It will literally take 5-15 minutes. Number of images I have described is not limitation, you can extend Data Sets on your own and to process more images from once. Best of all you do not have to worry about images sizes, resolutions—if you do not want to, because everything will be adjusted on the fly to fill available space for image. Last thing I want to mention for this short description is that you have 27 different templates as choice with 2x1 to 15x15 grid layouts (2x1, 2x2,2x3, 2x4, 3x3...15x15). Thats not all, actually that can be all you need or only beginning suitable for introduction. You can customize every layout. If you need 15x6 layout for example which is not provided, just delete placeholders you do not need then load proper text file with Data Sets. By the way place-holders I am referring are actually grouped pixel layers clipped to vector shapes. You got it? It is easy to change size, orienta-tion and to distribute them as you want.

How files are organized Entire package is well organized in main folder with sub-folders. There are 4 sub folders inside Unlimited Grid Layouts folder:

1. Actions folder which contains actions to optionally add stroke and separate images in any of 27 defined layouts as they are without to modify and customize them.

2. PSD Templates and Data Sets folder contains 27 PSD files and 27 text files with Data Sets.

3. Data Sets for Custom Templates contains text files with data sets for custom layouts which you can create by simply delet-ing placeholders you do not need. For example: if you need 15x6 layout, open 15x15 template then delete placeholders in range 91-225. For even more options read About custom layouts on the next page.

4. Help and Instructions folder contains user guide which you are currently reading and practice template. If you was never using templates with variables just visit this folder with all required assets. You will see all power and strength of variables in a minute. I bet you will wonder how that happen that nobody before introduced something like this? I bet you will say: how easy was that! How powerful is this feature!

Little light on subjectIn the following lines I will try my hands to explain you some terms used in this guide, how layers are organized, which for-mats you can use and what are actually happening during entire process.

What are Variables and Data SetsYou will read many times terms: Variables and Data Sets in this user guide. Now, what is Variable and what is Data Set? Vari-able is label, Data Set is reference with label. Lets say someone gave you 3 bottles with labels Red, Green, Blue and 3 empty boxes with same labels: Red, Green, Blue. What you will do? You will put bottle with label Red in empty box with same label, bottle with label Green in empty box with label Green and bottle with label Blue in empty box with label Blue.





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PSD templates have layers to which are assigned labels (Variables) like PixelVariable1. Data Sets is text file which contains ref-erence to image in folder like image_0001.jpg which is labeled (in the same column) with label PixelVariable1. What Photoshop will do is to import and place image_0001.jpg on layer labeled with matching label: PixelVariable1.

Why there are so many groups in Layers panelMain reason for so many groups in Layers panel is to give you ability to quick and easy modification and customization. Groups can be moved and distributed easily what will be handy whenever modifying template. Image layer and vector shape below to which is clipped are always grouped in group Image & Placeholder xx. Further all groups (Images & Placeholders) are grouped into groups 1st Row, 2nd Row and so on.

What are image and placeholder layers?Well, this is probably only thing I lacked to properly name. Image layer is pixel layer to which is assigned label or Pixel Variable. Content or pixels on this layer will be replaced with pixels from referenced image in Data Sets. This replacement works in this way: if layer image_1 in template is 250x250px, referenced image is 500x500px, then image will be scaled down to 250x250px with Fill method for pixel replacement which is set by me when defining variables. What if you have image 500x1000px? It will be scaled down to 250x500px, that’s how Fill method works, it is filling available space in the way that when scaling images, it will stop scaling when shorter side fill available space so longer side can exceed bounds of existing pixels on layer. Now you have question: is there any other way for pixel replacement, for example to use image as is without any scaling? Yes, there are several pixel replacement methods including As Is (see “Customization tip 3” on page 7) . You can change this on your own in Image > Variables > Define dialog. Please, if you are not familiar with variables, always use copy of original PSD template for any modi-fications including this one.

Vector shape layers, which are always named with placeholder_x, determines what is visible since pixel layers are clipped to them. Both, image_x and placeholder_x layers can be resized without any penalty although image_x are pixel based layers. The only thing you must pay attention is to resize layers before applying data sets or exporting Data Sets as Files what will be described later in step by step tutorial. There is no limitation with vector shape layers. You can change everything: shape, size or even to delete shape layer what can be handy when working with images with transparency. All this process can work without shape layers which serves to clip content from pixel based layers which will be replaced with images or graphics of your choice.

About custom layoutsTemplates provided (27) are not limitation for you. You will receive PSD templates with grid layouts 2x2, 2x3, 2x4, 3x3, 3x4...15x15. It is very easy to create custom layout by deleting Row groups (2nd Row, 3rd Row...) which contains all layers you should delete to create custom layout not provided (see “Step 7 The best part: customize and modify any template” on page 5). Data Sets for custom layouts are provided in Unlimited Grid Layouts > Data Sets for Custom Templates folder. There is and folder More Data Sets which contains Data Sets for layouts with more customization when beside Row groups you will delete and some Image & Placeholder xx groups to create layout with for example 17 instances of pixel layers which will be replaced with referenced images (see What are image and placeholder layers?). In case you have customized layout and last group in Layers panel is Image & Placeholder 17, visit More Data Sets folder and use 17 Data Sets.txt file. There are in the same folder and Data Sets for more custom layouts you can create. When customizing layouts never break sequence number, when deleting groups and rows do it from bottom to top. When customizing layouts remember before using text files with Data Sets that only import-ant thing is how many Image & Placeholders groups you have in Layers panel. Number of Image & Placeholder xx groups must much number of Data Sets in order everything to work as expected. For example: customized layout 9x2 (Image & Placeholder 1-18) will work with either 9x2 Data Sets or 6x3 Data Sets.

Using images with transparencyIf you want to use images or graphics with transparent backgrounds, vector placeholders can be your friends or suficient. When using images or graphics with transparency, pixels from image will be visible but not and transparency. Areas with transparent pixels will be covered with color of placeholder vector shape. This can be useful if you want solid color background instead of transparent areas, otherwise you can safely delete all placeholder layers. To delete all placeholder layers right click on any of them, for example placeholder_1 and choose Select Similar Layers. Photoshop will select all placeholder vector shape layers and expand groups in Layers panel so you can ensure right layers are selected. Right click againg on any selected layer and choose: Delete Layers. It is best to delete vector placeholder layers before customizing template by adding additional design elements

referenced image

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image_x layer which is always filled with solid color and marked with number

image will be scaled down according to Fill pixel replacement method

what is visible determines vector shape layer (placeholder_x) to which is clipped image_x layer

Note: when you have situation as this one shown at the left side where image ratio does not match pixel layer ratio, keep in mind that image is not cropped and you can move it around selecting image_x layer to change which portion of image is visible.





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(see “Customization tip 4 Add design elements to template” on page 8) because you can use described method to select all shape layers you must delete from once. Another thing you will probably want to change when working with images and graphics with transparency is pixel replacement method (see “Customization tip 3 Change Pixel Replacement method” on page 7). Ussualy Fit or As Is will work best, you can check this by changing pixel replacement method then previewing Data Sets (see “Step 3 Open template and load Data Sets” on page 4 ). To decide which pixel replacement method to use follow instructions in step 3 and when it comes to click OK button and exit, click Cancel insted if you are not satisfied and you want to change method again. Which file format is best to use with images and graphics with transparency is explained under next title below.

About file formats you can use

First thing I want to mention is that entire package with all templates and Data Sets are created with thoughts that most of users will want to use JPG images without to worry about images pixel dimensions, orientation or resolution. You are not limited to JPG format (see “Customization Tips” on page 7), I checked how things works with all common formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, PSD, TIFF, PDF, Ai and EPS. Although you can use graphics saved in EPS and Ai formats, I do not recommend you because when using Ai and EPS file formats you will see Import PDF dialog for each single file. If you want to export 20 templates with 16 graphics or images in each, that’s 320 dilogs in total. Fortunatelly there is solution as for everything else. Quick and easy solution is to convert vector formats to PSD using File > Scripts > Image Processor. Conversion is fast and easy and graphics or images will keep transparency. Now you have question: can I use mixed formats? Off course you can, but that requires additional work to change extensions in Data Sets files manually without to use automation with Find/Change command (see “Customization tip 1 Change file format and naming convention in Data Sets text file” on page 7).

What is not covered in user guide

In this user guide I am not covering few things: Apply option in Variables dialog (step 3) which will immediately apply or import referenced images. Main reason to ignore this option is because I created this templates for mass production in the first place. Anyway you can use them for single page layout. There are templates with 100, 150, 225 placeholders and can be very handy to use templates with variables. So, my recommendation is to use Apply command only in case you are working with single page, for all other productions you can ignore this option. Another topic omitted in guide are options to assign variables especially visibility variables for groups. I will skip this advanced portion and keep things simple because simplicity is perfect and I know in advance that most of you who are reading this guide have never been using variables in Photoshop. It is best to start with templates, assigned variables and prepared Data Sets. Later on when you familiarize yourself with variables you can expand your knowledge and usability of this unique feature through Adobe help, my blogs or any other site which is covering this topic.

A must read: about help and supportThis is one of most important parts in this project. Although it is pretty easy to use templates with detailed step by step instruc-tions provided to you, keep in mind: I woN’t Left you wIthout your tASk, Project or job fINISheD. It is only matter of time zone and hour when I will see your support request in my email inbox.




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Using PSD Templates Here we are. Variables or big guns of Photoshop. Do not even think you will mess with variables. You won’t. There is nothing to mess or to learn new beside you do not know how to batch rename files in Adobe Bridge what is death simple. There is nothing to go wrong if you follow simple instruc-tions. I said simple and I will keep it simple. We will work with 4x4 Template and use 48 images to generate and export 3 PSD files. Each PSD file will contain 16 different images. So, 4x4 means there are 16 different images clipped to 16 placeholders. To substitute existing images in template with some other from hard drive one need to define variables what

I have already done for you. PSD files keeps track of variables, once defined in document and saved in PSD file format, variables will be always there ready to use. Variables + Data Sets allows user to substitute existing images and export as many PSD files as he want using as many images as he have. I prepared in advance 20 Data Sets for 4x4 Template but also and for 4x5 and 4x6 and many other possible layouts. With 20 Data Sets you can use 320 different images to generate and export 20 PSD files. Best of all you do not have to worry about image sizes, bit depth, resolution, color mode. Everything will be done on the fly by Photoshop.

Step 1 batch rename files in Adobe bridge

You can skip this step when using practice template included in package. Start Adobe Bridge and find folder with at least 48 images in JPG file format. By the way JPG is not limita-tion for variables, but it is for files provided to you without customization. Select at least 48 images then go to tools > batch rename. In Batch Rename dialog select copy to other folder option then click browse button below, navigate to any folder or create new one: Test Template. In New filenames section choose text from first drop-down list. Type image_ (image + underscore) in the text field on the right side. From second drop-down list below choose Sequence Number. Type number 1 in the second text field then choose four Digits from right drop-down list. Click rename button at the top right corner of Batch Rename dialog. All selected files will be renamed to image_0001.jpg, image_0002.jpg, image_0003.jpg... and copied to previously chosen or created folder.

Step 2 Paste file with Data Sets in folder with images

You can skip this step when using practice template included in package. Go to unlimited Grid Layouts > PSD templates and Data Sets > 4x4_5_6 folder. Copy 4x4 Data Sets.txt then paste it in the same folder with previously renamed images.

Step 3 open template and load Data Sets

Open 4x4 template.psd in Photoshop. Go to Image > Vari-ables > Data Sets. In Variables dialog which will open click on Import button. Import Data Set dialog will open. Click Select file button and navigate to folder with previously renamed images and data sets text file (Help and Instruc-tions > Practice Template when using practice files). Select 4x4 Data Sets.txt then click Load button at the bottom of Load dialog. You will return to Import Data Set dialog. Choose from encoding: drop down list unicode (utf-8). Click ok button. If you have Preview turned on in Variables dialog you will see almost instantly how your template looks like with first 16 images: image_00001.jpg, image_0002.jpg, image_0003.jpg ... image_00016.jpg. If you are using default settings in Data Sets section you will see Data Set 1. Click on triangle on the right side to display in Data Set field Data Set 2. After second you will see how your template looks like with second Data Set or images in range from image_0017.jpg to image_0032.jpg. Click again on the same triangle to see Data Set 3 displayed in Data Set field. Now you can see how your template can be exported with images in range from image_0033.jpg to image_0048.jpg. When you finish preview-ing click on ok button to confirm and exit Variables dialog.

Settings to specify in Batch Rename dialog.

Preview Data Sets. Turn on Preview and list sets using arrows inData Sets section. Click OK button when you finish previewing.

Steps to load Data Sets. First go to Image > Variables > Data Sets1. Click on Import button2. Click Select File then navigate to 4x4 Data Sets.txt, select itand click Load3. Choose Unicode (UTF-8) for Encoding4. Confirm on OK button




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Step 4 export Data Sets

You will still look at template as it is with RGB and CMYK col-or squares. Nothing is done? Where is the point?. Go to file > export > Data Sets as files... In Export Data Sets as Files dia-log click on Select folder button then navigate to folder where you want to export 3 previewed templates. Leave other settings to defaults, at least this one: Data Sets: All Data Sets. Click ok button in top right corner at wait a second. If you follow instructions you will see message: Could not export data “Data Set 4”... Click No button because you have only 48 images what is enough for 3 data sets only which are already exported. That’s it, you will return to Photoshop window.

Step 5 customize exported files

Now you can go in folder specified to export Data Sets as Files and open PSD files in Photoshop. PSD files contains all layers and clipped images as original template. Because I set Pixel Replacement to Fill when defining variables you will be able to adjust position for some or for most of the images. Images are resized on the fly, colors are converted and so on, but not and cropped. Images are actually clipped to placeholders so you can move them and change which portion of image is visible. For finishing touch you can add stroke for desert. Load Template Strokes actions from Unlimited Grid Layouts > Actions folder and run 4x4 Stroke. Note: this instructions are to get started and see how things works. Last instruction is to use stroke actions to add stroke and separate images in exported files. To have stroke in all exported files so you do not need to run action for each file separately, run stroke action immediately after opening template or after previewing Data Sets (step 3) but before exporting Data Sets as Files (step 4).

Step 6 take advantage of amazing flexibility with PSD templates

Now close all files you have opened in Photoshop. Return again to beginning of instructions for PSD templates. When you open 4x4 Template.psd in Photoshop before you do anything else resize template to any size you want. Go to Image > Image Size and type any numbers. You do not have to worry about original ratio. Change it, type for example 2000px for Width and 800px for Height, change resolution if you want. When you resize template numbers which marks image layers in template can look blurry or distorted because thats all pixels but do not worry, your images when exported won’t be, everything will works just fine. You will see that in preview when previewing Data Sets. This is introduction to Variables and Data Sets. What you did with this template can be done with any other in purchased package. To not forget that you can delete or move images from folder and import another images properly named as described previously: Image_0001.jpg, image_0002.jpg...

Step 7 The best part: customize and modify any template

Now we came to best part: customization. The very best part and reason for Unlimited in title of this set is that you can quick and very easy customize templates. You are not limited in any way including provided 27 templates. If you need for example 15x4 layout which is not provided, just open 15x15 template and delete groups in range 5th Row to 15th Row. Optionally go to Image > Trim and set Bottom right pixel color to be trimmed in Trim dialog. That’s it, you have brand new

Export Data Sets as Files dialog.

Click No when Could not export data message appear.

Because images are clipped but not cropped, you can move some of them (images with different aspect ratio from pixel layers: image_xx) to change which part of image is visible. This works with Fill and As Is options set for Variable Pixel Replacement.

One of amazing things with this templates is that you can resize (resample) them to just any size with any ratio. If you want all placeholders to be at same size, resize template after opening it in Photoshop. Just to remind you that you can change and resolution, bit depth, color mode, color profile...




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template which you can continue customizing. Expand Canvas Size, rearrange, distribute groups and placeholders and when it comes to preview and export data sets, visit unlimited Grid Layouts > Data Sets for custom templates folder, copy and paste 15x4 Data Sets text file in folder with images or files you want to use. Everything else is the same as explained in Using PSD Templates.

When creating for example template for photo book and you want 5 images per spread, start with 5x5 template for example. Open it, delete sufficient rows (2, 3, 4, 5), expand canvas size from Image > Canvas Size then rearrange and resize groups Image & Placeholder x as you want. Note: you should select group (Image & Placeholder x) before using Transform com-mand to resize vector placeholder and pixel layer to the same size for the reason described in: what are image and place-holder layers? at the beginning of this guide. I assume that you have properly named your photos as described in step 1 and file 5x1 Data Sets.txt from unlimited Grid Layouts > Data Sets for custom templates > 5x Data Sets in folder with prepared images (step 2). Preview and export data sets as described in step 3 and step 4.

After opening template 5x5 first duplicate it to protect original. Delete all placeholders you do not need (rows 2, 3, 4, 5 in this case).

Customize your template. Change canvas size, resize and re-arrange placeholders and image layers.

Load Data Sets text file and preview your layout with prepared images. Last task is to export Data Sets or in other words same layout with different images. With Data Sets included in package you can export up to 20 Data Sets but this can be expanded to unlimited number very easy (Customization tip 2).




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Customization Tips In this section I want to give you few tips how to customize Data Sets text files to use them with any format that Photoshop supports. My recommendation is to keep it simple and safe and use PSD format whenever is possible. When you get more familiar with variables you may want sometimes to change pixel replacement method which is set by me for all templates to Fill (see what are image and placeholder layers?). Last tip in this section is how to batch rename files in Adobe Bridge. It is pretty simple but beside just renaming bunch of files, Bridge offers many other options to make your life easier especially when dealing with more complex layouts.

customization tip 1 change file format and naming convention in Data Sets text file

If you want to extend usability of Data Sets and use it with some other file formats, for example with PSD native Photoshop format, then open text files which contains variables and data sets in any text editor. Use Find/Change command and change all instances of jpg with psd. Save file as copy with different name and check if works. Do not forget to check encoding when saving files because that can cause problem and error messages. Save with Unicode encoding to follow instruc-tions in this guide. If you have any problem you can always contact me and ask for assistance and advice. You can also change default naming convention (image_) to for example (product_ ) if that’s easier for you but do not forget to type product_ instead of image_ in New Filenames section when renaming images in Bridge (step 1).

customization tip 2 expand number of Data Sets

Sometimes you may need more than 20 Data Sets for your project. To remind you, I prepared each Data Sets file with 20 rows to referenced images. This mean that you can use for ex-ample 5x3 template to export 20 files with 300 different images. Each row in text file is one data set. To expand this number you need to open text file and to add data. There are already as mentioned 20 rows with data, your task is to continue add-ing rows starting with row below last one and data in range image_0301.jpg to image_0315.jpg. To make your task easier I am providing you text file from which you can just copy this range of data and paste it. File is Data to expand Data Sets.txt located in Data Sets for Custom Templates folder. Be careful when selecting range of data and do not leave any empty space before and after selected range because that will cause error message when loading Data Sets in Photoshop.

customization tip 3 change Pixel replacement method

Another customization tip is to change Pixel Replacement method for each variable. You must do that manually from Image > Variables > Define. I set this option for all templates to Fill but you may want to use fit for images with transpar-ent backgrounds or As Is to import images without to instruct Photoshop to automatically scale them. My advice is to never experiment with Conform option which will distort images. To change pixel replacement method use Layer: drop-down list to display options for each layer with assigned variable. It is easy to recognize them because layers with assigned variables have as-terix (image_1*, image_2*...). So, from Layer: drop-down select image_1* then from Method drop-down change to Fit or As Is.

To customize Data Sets and use some other file format then JPG, first duplicate Data Sets file. Open duplicated Data Sets text file in any text editor and replace all jpg instances in file with psd for example.

Ensure no empty space is present at the beginning and end of selected range of data. Same warning is valid when pasting data, no empty spaces at the beginning and end of line!

To change pixel replacement method go to Image > Variables > Define. Use Layer: drop down list to select layer and Method: drop-down to change pixel replacement method.

You can add as many additional static design elements as you want. Every element present in base template before exporting data sets will appear in each exported file.




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Do this for all layers in template which have asterix (*). By the way, you are not limited to use same pixel replacement method for all layers with variables.

customization tip 4 Add design elements to template

You are not limited in any way including to add elements to template. Elements you probably want to add to your template are: background image or pattern, text boxes with dummy text to replace, company logo, company slogan, address, social icons, badges... Elements you decide to add to template will be static and will appear in each exported file.

customization tip 5 batch renaming images in bridge

Batch renaming in Adobe Bridge is pretty simple task, you need to select all images to be renamed then to go to Tools > Batch Rename as described in step 1. Images will be re-named as they are arranged: first selected image will be re-named to image_0001.jpg, second on the right side of first to image_0002.jpg and so on. Now what if you are dealing with complex layouts and lot of images? You can not see all 500 images in one window. Or you can? You can actually by group-ing images into Stacks. First move and rearrange all images you want for first row for example, then select them and Press ctrl/cmd + G to group them. Now you have more images in focus and it is easier to select and rearrange images for second, third... row. Note that you must expand stacks (ctrl/cmd + Shift + G) and select all images (not stacks) before using Batch Rename command.

What if you need your created layout or sketch in front of you while rearranging and renaming images. Perhaps in one floating window which will always seats on top on the right side of your screen? It is possible of course, Bridge is wonderful software and have options and solution for most situations. Solution in this case is to run another instance of Bridge from file > New window. Navigate to your created layout or sketch of layout then click Switch to compact Mode icon in top right corner. Adjust position and size of com-pact mode window and layout thumbnail size. Ensure compact window Always on top option is checked so you will have small compact mode window always in front of you.

Final result with 4 PSD files exported. Each file have different images as previewed and expected. Elements added by designer: background image, description on the right side and price below are static and unchanged or in other words same text appears in all exported files.

Grouping images into stacks will give you more room to see more images in one window so you can rearrange them before batch renaming. Do not forget to expand stacks and select all images (not stacks) before using Batch Rename command.

Run second instance of Bridge from File > New Window then navigate to folder with sketch or created layout. Switch second Bridge window to compact mode (red circle). Move compact mode window by dragging it at side. Adjust layout thumbnail size using slider at the bottom.

Ensure Compact Window Always on Top option is checked.




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Troubleshooting tips This section is to provide you few troubleshooting tips. When using templates as they are delivered to you without any cus-tomization of Data Sets you should never have any problem. Anyway it is good to know what can cause problem and how to fix it. Here I will repeat one more time: do not hesitate to con-tact me for any help and support. I am highly responsive and willing to help you and give you instructions. Your feedback is also very important to me.

troubleshooting tip 1 error message: “could not apply data set”

If you have any problem and can not follow this instructions, it can be that renamed files are not properly named so return to instructions and try again. When files are not properly named you will get error message: could not apply data set because the replacement file was not found. Same error message you will see if any file or number is missing in sequence between image_0001.jpg to image_0016.jpg for example ,when using 4x4 Template. Another problem with images that can cause this error is that files you are trying to use are not in proper format. When using templates and variables as they are provided, you must use images in JPG format. To batch convert images to JPG use File > Scripts > Image Processor script which ships with Photoshop.

troubleshooting tip 2 “could not parse the file contents as data set”

Another problem can be with encoding. Check again that you have set Unicode (UTF-8) encoding in Import Data Set dialog (step 3). If wrong encoding is chosen you will get error message: could not parse the file contents as data set. You can solve problem and by opening text file with variables in any text editor and saving it with Unicode encoding or any other encoding listed in Photoshop in Import Data Set dialog.

Important note

Note: In order to use templates and Data Sets provided in this package you must always follow described naming conven-tions. Always name your files starting with image_0001.jpg (to break this rule see Customization tip 1). You must have enough images in sequence for given template, for example to use 15x15 template you must have at least 225 images properly named in the same folder with Data Sets. With provided Data Sets you must always use JPG file format. JPG format is not limitation and you can change or customize Data Sets (Customization tip 1). Always keep original files intact. Use copies for experiments and even to generate and export files.

When encoding of text file and user chosen in Import Data Set dialog does not match, Photoshop will display error message:Could not parse the file contents as data set.

Could not apply data set error message because some images insequence are missing, files are not in JPG format or not properlynamed.




Documents

Unlimited Grid Layouts User Guide