Photoshop script to replace a smart object within a PSD with selected image(s) and save result as a JPG. (Transformations to the smart object will be applied to new images).

replace_smartobject_image.js

// Replace SmartObject’s Content and Save as JPG
// 2017, use it at your own risk
// Via @Circle B: https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/92796/replacing-a-smart-object-in-bulk-with-photoshops-variable-data-or-scripts/93359
// JPG code from here: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/737789

#target photoshop
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
    var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
    var theName = myDocument.name.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1];
    var thePath = myDocument.path;
    var theLayer = myDocument.activeLayer;
    // JPG Options;
    jpgSaveOptions = new JPEGSaveOptions();  
    jpgSaveOptions.embedColorProfile = true;  
    jpgSaveOptions.formatOptions = FormatOptions.STANDARDBASELINE;  
    jpgSaveOptions.matte = MatteType.NONE;  
    jpgSaveOptions.quality = 8;   
    // Check if layer is SmartObject;
    if (theLayer.kind != "LayerKind.SMARTOBJECT") {
        alert("selected layer is not a smart object")
    } else {
        // Select Files;
        if ($.os.search(/windows/i) != -1) {
            var theFiles = File.openDialog("please select files", "*.psd;*.tif;*.jpg", true)
        } else {
            var theFiles = File.openDialog("please select files", getFiles, true)
        };
        if (theFiles) {
            for (var m = 0; m < theFiles.length; m++) {
                // Replace SmartObject
                theLayer = replaceContents(theFiles[m], theLayer);
                var theNewName = theFiles[m].name.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1];
                // Save JPG. If you have need of saving different artboards into separate files,
                // see https://gist.github.com/laryn/0a1f6bf0dab5b713395a835f9bfa805c#gistcomment-3996733
                myDocument.saveAs((new File(thePath + "/" + theName + "_" + theNewName + ".jpg")), jpgSaveOptions, true,Extension.LOWERCASE);
            }
        }
    }
};
// Get PSDs, TIFs and JPGs from files
function getFiles(theFile) {
    if (theFile.name.match(/\.(psd|tif|jpg)$/i) != null || theFile.constructor.name == "Folder") {
        return true
    };
};
// Replace SmartObject Contents
function replaceContents(newFile, theSO) {
    app.activeDocument.activeLayer = theSO;
    // =======================================================
    var idplacedLayerReplaceContents = stringIDToTypeID("placedLayerReplaceContents");
    var desc3 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID("null");
    desc3.putPath(idnull, new File(newFile));
    var idPgNm = charIDToTypeID("PgNm");
    desc3.putInteger(idPgNm, 1);
    executeAction(idplacedLayerReplaceContents, desc3, DialogModes.NO);
    return app.activeDocument.activeLayer
};

@shohidur333
My new versions actually does this, I've implemented 2 version now. One which edit the link itself, the other will edit the content inside the smartobject. The latter is slower however to the workflow need. But it's still a fraction of doing this all manually .

It's nice you have such expanded tutorials and writing. But it's a commercial product. $15 per month. Kinda steep price if you can get ir for free here

The script is indeed effective, but it does have limitations when dealing with various template and art file scenarios. For those seeking a more comprehensive solution, the Bulk Mockup plugin (a paid tool) offers enhanced functionality:

1. Multiple smart object layer replacement
2. Design file alignment using a 3x3 matrix (9 anchor points)
3. Nested smart object layer replacement
4. Animated and video file export capabilities
5. Customizable file naming for exports
6. Flexible organization of exported files into folders and subfolders

While the original script works well for basic needs, Bulk Mockup addresses its limitations and provides greater versatility for complex projects.

But... its free and not hidden behind a pay-wall! Even weirder, a monthly subscription for a script?!?!? mind-bogling!

Thank you very much friend, I was looking for this for a long time. Still working with Adobe Photoshop 2024.

@nasseroth

Let me know if you run into issues. I have been working on other versions of this script with more options. I can't remember now how far I got with that one. It has different methods for feplace so it shows better in the template. I need to check the code and see how and if it works properly. Has been months since I worked on it.

Hey,

This is solid and works fine! Is there any chance we could get it to save as a PDF? All new to this so i just run into error after error when editing myself, thanks!

@jordanash98

I have other versions. I've added a panel to it and different same methods. I'm not sure I've added all save options already though. I work on these scripts on and off. I adjust them as I need them at that moment.

I need to look into it

@schroef Hi! Thanks a lot for the script! Been using it for a while, today I got this error:

Error 8800: General Photoshop error occurred. This functionality may not be available in this version of Photoshop.

• Could not complete the command because the result would be too big.
  Line: 100
  -> executeAction(idplacedLayerReplaceContents, desc3, DialogModes.NO);

Could you help with this, please? I was not able to find anything useful on the net how to troubleshoot it...

@petergambos

Sure. Is it possible you send me an possible simplified version if the pad file. Its kind hard to say what's going on.

There is neither something with that linked file or something else

Ps which version of the script are you using, are you suing one from my GitHub, which is a couple posts above?

@schroef sure, I uploaded a .zip file with a simplified .psd and few of the .jpg files that I want to batch replace with the script here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P6gkPsgf4GSwR3uGhHLj4jLzcET94o5N/view?usp=sharing

I am using the "replace_smartobject_image-v004.js", so I suppose that is the latest version.

In the meantime, I was able to find some workaround — it seems that the problem is with the different DPI of the smart object and the replaced files. The smart object is set to have 1920x1080 with 300 DPI and the replaced files are 1920x1080 with 72 DPI. I supposed that the script can handle the resizing also with different DPI, but probably not. I created a simple action to bulk change all the replaced files to 300 DPI and then used the script (which worked), but if there is a possibility to improve the script to handle not only different dimensions, but also DPI, it would be great!