Problem processing large numbers of data sets

[TunaAdmiral]

Good afternoon!

I'm new to Photoshop, but am using Photoshop CS2 9.0.

Here's what I'm doing. I start with a .psd file containing a picture of a credit card with three variable text fields on it: Card number, cardholder name, and the expiration date.

I have a .csv file containing over 10,000 records with that very information.

In Photoshop, on the Images menu, I select "Variables", then "Define". I assign each text field on my card template to the matching column in my .csv file. I then press the "Next" button, and import my .csv file.

Then I press "Apply".

Now, it appears that Photoshop creates a data set for each record in the .csv file. Fine.

Then I select "File" / "Export" / "Data sets as files", select a folder destination for the output .psd files.

Everything works wonderfully. A custom .psd is created for each record in the .csv file.

THE PROBLEM IS: It's very, very slow. With a 10,000 record input file, output files are created at a rate of 1 every 3 seconds.

Now, when I process using a smaller .csv file (say 2,000 records), the process speeds up to 3 every 1 second. Big difference.

Any ideas on how to tweak/optimize this process?

 

[jimoblak]

Without sounding like I'm too much of an idiot, why not use 5 CSV files that each use 2000 rows?

 

[TunaAdmiral]

Thanks for responding, jimoblak!

I may end up doing just that. I was just hoping I could tap the collective wisdom of some long-time Photoshoppers for a better way.

Again, thanks!