copy and paste in a batch file.

[cuartetto]

PSP X
I would like to take a photo, which is a 16 X 9 format, and add a 3 X 4 photo as a new layer.
Can I do this in a batch file? I have several hundred of these to do.
The 16 X 9 photo remains common to all the files, the 3 X 4 is a different photo each time.

[Forriner]

Hi,
With the information you give, to keep it simple we’ll assume a few things.
1) All of the 4×3 images are the same orientation and the same pixel dimensions.
2) Both height and width of the 4×3 are smaller than the 16×9. It doesn’t have to be, just an assumption.

We’re going to record a script for one image, and use a batch process to use it on multiple images.
First the preparations.
1) Note the pixel dimensions of the 16×9.
2) Open the script palette (View/Toolbars/Script).
3) Open the Layer palette. (F8)
4) Open the 16×9 image in your workspace.
5) Copy the 16×9 to the clipboard: Ctrl+C or Edit/Copy
6) Open one of the 4×3s that you want to use.

Now the recording
1) Click on the Red button of the script toolbar to start recording.
2) Click on the 4×3 image.
3) Menu Layers/Promote background layer. You should see the Layer palette change the name from Background to Raster 1.
4) Menu Image/Canvas size… Enter the width and height of the 16×9. Make sure the dropdown says Pixels. Because the file has a layer the Background colour should be greyed out. Placement: click on the middle diamond if you want the 4×3 in the middle of the finished file, or you can place it in a corner, your choice. Click OK. You should now have the 4×3 on a transparent background the size of the 16×9, and placed where you indicated.
5) Menu Edit/Paste as new layer, or Ctrl+L. This pastes the 16×9 as a layer above the 4×3.
6) Menu Layers/Arrange/Send to bottom. The 16×9 is now the bottom layer with the 4×3 visible on top.
7) Click on the Save script recording button (rightmost button on the script bar) and give it a name.
You now have a script that, hopefully, does what you asked.

Now, to run the script on the 4×3s.
1) Copy the 16×9 to the clipboard again just to be sure.
2) Menu File/Batch process… You see the usual browser window where you select the 4×3s to process. If there are many, it might be a good idea to run the process several times on fewer files.
3) Script: choose the script you just saved. Click and Check ‘Use Script’ and ‘Silent Mode’. If you don’t check silent mode, the Canvas size dialogue will open for each file.
4) Save mode: New type.
5) Type:pspimage or .psp. I’m not sure if names changed before or after PSP X. Layers must be saved so psp(image) is the only choice. If you want, check any Options you need.
6) Folder: enter the folder for the output files.
7) New file name: click on Modify. If you want the new file to have the name of the 4×3 use Document name. The automatic extension will be, depending on PSP version, .PSP or .PSPImage because you’re saving as psp.
Stop on Error is checked by default, so now click on Start and see what it does.
Have fun, good luck.

[cuartetto]

I'm sorry, but I gave you misinformation. I said I used a 16 X 9 photo, I should have said a 16 X 9 background. After some more thought, I realized that just expanding the canvas size to the correct settings would give me the desired effect. Worked great.

Thanks for you reply, sorry for my error.