Execute ANY Photoshop design effect perfectly on first try — zero trial-and-error.
WHEN TO USE THIS SKILL
Load this skill FIRST for any Photoshop operation. It contains the mandatory rules and core concepts needed before using any other Photoshop skill.
MANDATORY WORKFLOW RULES
ALWAYS use a DEDICATED TOOL when one exists. NEVER use execute_batchplay for an operation that has its own tool.
There are 323 dedicated tools. Check this catalog FIRST.
ALWAYS verify visual results after multi-step operations using get_layer_image (single layer) or get_document_image (full composite).
Do NOT assume success from return status alone.
ALWAYS pass layer_id when calling execute_batchplay. The tool has an optional layer_id parameter that ensures the correct layer is targeted.
Without it, batchPlay may silently operate on the wrong layer.
For ROUNDED CORNERS on any element: use draw_rectangle_shape(corner_radius=N) + set_layer_properties(is_clipping_mask=true).
Do NOT attempt rounded rect selections via batchPlay — the corner radius keys are unreliable.
RASTERIZE layers before applying filters. Text, Shape, and Smart Object layers will fail silently with most filters.
Always duplicate_layer first (preserve original), then rasterize_layer on the copy.
SCREEN blend mode requires BLACK background, not transparent.
White on TRANSPARENT + SCREEN = invisible. White on BLACK + SCREEN = correct.
execute_batchplay is the LAST RESORT escape hatch. Use it only when:
- No dedicated tool exists for the operation
- You need to combine multiple atomic operations in one call
- A dedicated tool has a known limitation for a specific parameter
§1 FUNDAMENTALS
1.1 COORDINATE SYSTEM
Origin (0,0) = top-left corner of canvas
X increases RIGHT, Y increases DOWN
Layer bounds: {left, top, right, bottom} in pixels from origin
Center of canvas: (width/2, height/2)
1.2 LAYER STACK ORDER
Layers are drawn bottom-up — bottom layer renders first, top layer renders last
move_layer(position="TOP") = above all (visually on top)
move_layer(position="BOTTOM") = below all (visually behind)
New layers appear ABOVE the currently active layer
Adjustment layers affect ALL layers below them unless clipped
1.3 CANVAS ROTATION RULES
rotate_canvas rotates the entire document including all layers
Rotation is destructive — pixels are resampled
Always rotate back by the exact negative amount
Plan filter directions BEFORE rotating — see Wind direction table §7.2
1.4 SELECTION FUNDAMENTALS
Selection = marching ants defining which pixels are affected
Feather = soft edges (pixels partially selected)
Selection MUST exist before: fill_selection, delete_selection, content_aware_fill, generative_fill, add_layer_mask_from_selection
