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I have a largish PSD file with a couple of hundred layers, that I would like to extract selected areas from into PNG files.

Areas can consist of a couple of layers.

Being new to Photoshop, I have been using the following workaround. Duplicate needed layers into a new scratch PSD file of same size, TRIM to transparency, Save As PNG, undo TRIM, hide layers, rinse and repeat...

I suppose I could do it without the scratch file and just crop selection, Save As PNG and undo, but there must be a nicer method.

What other ways are there to accomplish this export of a selected area to PNG?

EDIT: This is on Windows Xp running Photoshop CS3 Extended

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3 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted
  • Make your selection
  • Edit -> Copy Merged
  • File -> New (Photoshop should automatically suggest a new canvas size to match the selection size)
  • Edit -> Paste
  • File -> Save As (PNG)
  • Rinse and repeat... (keyboard shortcuts are handy here)

(Tested on Photoshop CS4)

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Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for! – Aniti Nov 3 '10 at 10:05
Photoshop engineers should seriously think about improving this because it's tedious to do something so simple with 6 steps, it should have, at most, 2 steps, select and export. simple isn't it ? – Tuga May 15 at 15:50
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up vote 1 down vote

Try selecting the areas with the Slice tool and then File > Export for web & devices.

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up vote -1 down vote

As easy as 

File -> Scripts -> Export Layer to Files...

Export Layers to files

If your layer is smaller than the full width/height of the canvas don't forget to check Trim Layers.

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The question is not about exporting layers to files. It is about saving a selection as a file. The question specifically states "Areas can consist of a couple of layers." – Mike Fitzpatrick May 19 at 5:35
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