Watermark Issue; Utilizing CS2 & Bridge

Hi

Im trying to utilize an image I created as a watermark in CS2 for my photos. It is its' own seperate file. I'm successful at batching my copyright information to all files in a designated folder, but that runs the Action within each photo in and of itself.

However, I'm trying to add my company logo watermark I created using the same process. When I try to process the batch it says "the command 'move' is not currently available".

Can anyone give me any instruction or ideas on how to accomplish what I'm trying to do?

So in short, I'm trying to automate a seperate file (watermark) into position onto scores of other files (photos) to accompany my copyright info. Then, flatten>save for web>to location> close.

This would help my workflow dramatically.

Thanks in advance!

Check out Russel Brown's instruction video and Action. Look for "Digital Watermark Branding". This may help get you back on track.

http://www.russellbrow​n.com/tips_tech.html

Hi, I've studied this tutorial quite extensively. My problem is that when I paste the path I only get a marquis of the shape of my logo, not the logo itself. I'm using PC. Is this something that I'm not going to be able to see in PS but it still is going to put the logo where I want it?

Did you try using his watermak action? I've not tried it but everything else of his that I've tried works well.

Yeah, his watermark reveals itself as soon as he clicks Edit>Paste>Path

My watermark shows a line around the shape where the image should be and never reveals itself. I'm thinking maybe cuz Im using pc, but have no clue what the real issue is.

In the action, the watermark is put in as a path. The action then uses layer effects to get the logo visible.

Thank you both for your responses.

Rene, at what point does the logo then become visable? Is it after the completion of the entire action, when the action is utilized in processing, or maybe never.

I think I'm confused because my logo doesn't become instantly viewable when the one from the tutorial does.

When you say, "The action then uses layer effects to get the logo visible." Do you mean I have to manipulate the layer styles for that layer to make it visible, progressing through the rest of the tutorial will make the logo viewable, or is "layer effects" a different option somewhere in PS that I must utilize to get the desired effects?

Thank you so much for your response. I've been working at resolving this issue for the better part of a week to no avail. I really want to do it through PS and Bridge. Even though my Bridge currently doesnt accept raw files or read updates since I installed Illustator. I work my brain to mush trying to resolve one problem only to cause more problems. Computers and cars....oh the insanity!

Thanx!

I have watched the Russell Brown video several times, and it looks like a great watermark action. However when I have tried it, I have a problem with my logo as well. I think my problem lies with the step where you save the logo as a path. Maybe if someone could provide a brief tutorial on that aspect of the action the problem would be solved. Anyone able to comment on saving the logo created as a path?

Thanks for joining the fray KenB! That's exactly where mine seems to be the problem as well.

At first I didn't have Illustrator, so I tried to do the path with the pen tool in PS. Didn't work. I didn't get the paste as path option and would just get the ghost shape of my logo. Then, I got Illustrator and got the same result of the ghost/marque shape of the logo again. When I mess around and am able to manipulate some viewable logo onto the primary photo I get layers and move errors when I complete the action and perform it.

If you download the action, does it work with Russel Browns 'bullhorns' watermark?
I made my own logo using paths in PS, and replaced the one in the action. It works just fine.
In the quicktime movie it is explained how to insert your path into PS.

Man, I am so frustrated I could throw my laptop out the window. I just tried 2 more times, and I tried to do the path via PS itself 10 times. I'm searching all over the Net looking for something on paths that i might have missed. The Russell Brown's action works and I get the bullhorns but if I delete that part of the action and try to enter my own logo it won't help me as Im muffing up the path, work path, selection, layer-blaahbity blah somewhere along the line.

I guess I don't know how to copy and paste the layer or path or whatever as everytime I try to I end up with a line that looks like the shape of my logo, but its empty.

I wish I could just say screw it but I got like 500 proofs for 3 projects I've been stalling on. I guess if I took the time I spent trying to figure out how to do this I could've watermarked and copyrighted 10,000 photos by now. I'm hopeless.

OK, OK I'm oficially the village idiot. I figured it out and it was easy. Just as explained. My problem was/is that my issue was not the issue I thought it was.

The ghost-like marque line I spoke of was indeed the path. The outline of the path just like in the vid. What it wasn't doing, and what I was trying desperately to get it to achieve, was to select the contents of the outline to include the stylings of my logo. It's not too complex, but has b, w and 2 colors, 2 shorts words, and icon, and a couple shapes involved.

So the question I should have been asking was: In regards to Russell Brown's watermark action, is there a way to have your path include the contents and stylings of a predetermined logo that is its' own .psd file?

Thanks fellas. I'm much better now after the xanax.

Glad to hear that you have it worked out. Can you expand on what you did to solve the problem, as I appear to be stalled as you were.

Hi Ken,

When you paste or drag your path onto the image you are using as the template does an outline of your logo appear void of any contents? If so that is indeed the the way RB shows his on the tutorial and is correct.

I think transplanting our logo in its entirety is asking too much or is not possible in this action set. If I fill the shape with one plain color the action works. Now I've been trying to use a clone tool to copy my logo within the shape from another file. That does not work. I'm still working on it but I think its going to end up a futile attempt.

I think its going to turn out that you cannot transfer any contents or stylings from a different (logo) file and transplant them along with your path to the template file. Unless you can create an anchorpoint for every nook and cranny of you logo, drag that path to your template, then, when you get to the part where RB fills his logo with color you would have to try to reapply your general look of your logo within the selection on the template file itself. At this point I don't see how I can get my logo exactly the way it looks in its psd file to appear on the template file as such.

Bottom Line: I guess we're expecting too much out of this action and its not designed to do what we are trying to do.

Anyone: If I'm wrong please let me know because I'm still racking my brain trying to find a back door somewhere in all of this to try to acheive what I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks,

You could read this thread. Also someone who has a psd. file as a watermark.. Copy-paste in an action works just fine.