Mark:

You're getting hung up on two issues here:
1. Converting the files from one format (.bmp) to another (.jpg)
2. The File Naming boxes in the Batch dialog.

Converting the file format
As Mick said, you will need to record a one-step action. To do that: * Open any test .bmp image you want to convert to .jpg
* Press F9 to show the Actions Palette if it's not visible * From the Actions Palette Menu (black arrow, top right) choose New Set * Give the set a name, e.g., Convert Format. (A set is like a folder. It contains actions.) * From the Actions Palette Menu agin, this time choose New Action. * Give the action a name, e.g., Convert from .bmp to .jpg. * Click the Record button in dialog. This engages "record mode." * File > Save as... From the file format menu, choose .jpg. * Select a location (desktop or folder) to save this file. It makes no difference where it is. * When you click OK, the .jpg options dialog will display. * Choose a compression value and click OK
* At the bottom of the Actions Palette are several shapes. Click the SQUARE. This is the STOP control and it will terminate the recording process. Works kind of like a VCR.
* Close the test .bmp image.

Preparation to convert the files
* The .bmp files you want to be converted should be in a folder. If they don't, put them in a folder. It's easier this way until you get the hang of this.
* If you haven't yet, create a folder for the .jpgs you're about to create. This is the "destination" folder.

Convert the files
* File > Automate > Batch
* The Action Set (folder) and action you just created should be preselected * Source: Folder. Choose (navigate to the folder of .bmp images) * Destination: Folder. Choose (navigate to the destination folder) * Important: "Override Action 'save as' commands" - turn this ON. (It's a long story. Just trust me on this one.)

Regarding the File Naming boxes at the bottom... You'll only need to perform the following steps once to clean things up.
* From all six dropdown menus, choose "None".
* Now from the one in the top left, choose "Document" menu * From the one in the top right, choose "extension" from the menu

What you've done is reset these fields to their default values.

Click OK... and Photoshop will open each .bmp file in the source folder, convert it to .jpg and place the .jpg in the destination folder.

Rule of thumb: If you DO NOT want to change file names during the batch process, leave the values in the dropdown boxes as "Document" and "extension". There's no need to change them. This applies if you want something like this to happen:

apple.bmp -> apple.jpg
orange.bmp -> orange.jpg

If you DO want to assign custom names, you can do that by making selections from the dropdown menus or typing in specific characters in a given box. Just be sure in the last box you've selected either "EXTENSION" or "extension" from the dropdown menu.

As you type in values or make menu selections, note how the Example file name (just below File Naming) changes.

See if this gets you moving again.

~Danny~

mdpotter

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Batch conversion .bmp to .jpg