Apply same crop to multiple images

I need to apply the same crop to multiple images. The h x w pixel dimensions need to be the same but the center x,y location will be slightly different each time. The images are all the same dimensions and resolution. So far all I can do is draw a new crop marquee in each image. If I get the crop size and resolution (Crop, Use Front), set it as a crop tool preset, then attempt to apply on another image, I get only the aspect ratio of the crop area and not the exact number of pixels or dimension. This won't work because I cannot see an indication of the size of the current crop area.

I also can set guidelines and snap a crop marquee to them, but I see no way to copy a set of guidelines from one image to the next.

Anyone tried this before and found a solution other than recording a custom action and playing it into the images?

Masking via an alpha won't work (I think) because the location changes from one image to the next.

Thanks,

JH

Maybe something like this:
(1) create a rectangular marquee to the pixel dimensions you want on image A, save it to image A as a channel named "crop".
(2) open image B (with image A already open).
(3) start recording an action.
(4) copy the "crop" channel from image A to image B. (5) save and close image B.
(6) stop recording your action.
(7) Leave image A open; in Bridge, select images C-ZZZ. Run the action on them. (8) Now open each image, convert the crop channel to a selection; transform it by moving only; apply Image > Crop; Save.

Thanks Michael, but seems complicated.

Working a little more with it, I found that the info panel does display the crop marquee dimensions but only while the crop is first being drawn. So, if I carefully draw the marquee I can get it to the exact dimensions (requires a smooth mouse or pen tablet). When I release the mouse it's there and still movable.

Strangely, if I later resize the marquee the info panel does not display the new dimensions. This is what mixed me up before.

Seems to me that, if I specify a crop's exact dimensions and resolution that there should be a way to just "drop" a new crop marquee onto an image. Another program, Corel PhotoPaint X3, does just this, but unfortunately I can't apply it to this project.

-- John

A takeoff on Michael's suggestion...
* Open a representative image
* Define a rectangular marquee selection according to the required pixel dimensions (option: fixed size)
* Save it as a preset
* Image > Crop

For subsequent images, click on the image, position the selection, Image > Crop.

Optional: An action could be written to invoke this preset. Note the Set selection step would need to be followed by an inserted Select > Modify selection command to allow for positioning. The action could then be applied in batch mode where one could position the selection with each image.

Thanks Danny,

I had always used the crop tool to do crops, since it is resolution "aware." It didn't occur to me to use the fixed marquee.

Issue resolved!

-- John