DOWNLOADABLES

Here is an easy to use file I threw together to hopefully help you save some time.

For anyone trying to create an “Open for a suprise” type tweet, where clicking on a singular image, split in four parts, reveals an additional 8 images (which means you should have a total of 9 different images to make this work), this is the photoshop file you need!

I’ve tried making this as simple as possible. The file was made in Photoshop 2023, so If you’re running into any issues trying to use it, please make sure your software is up to date.

How to use: 

If you’re not familiar with .atn files, make sure you check out this straight-forward tutorial on how to install them.

Once you have installed the action pack (.atn file included in the .zip), you’re ready to open up twittersplitter.psd.

Please note that you should try to avoid moving any of the layers (which is why they’re locked); this way you won’t risk creating weird lines in your export, or even throwing off the action.  Photoshop actions are very precise and will malfunction if anything has been moved! 

1. As soon as your twittersplitter.psd file is open, head over to your Layers tab and select the Twitter Splitter Artboard.

2. This is where you’ll import your first and main image (the one you want to divide into 4). I would suggest dragging and dropping straight from your files to the Photoshop window as it will be centered on your Artboard.

3. Once your first image is imported you need to make sure 2 things are correct. First of all, the image needs to cover the entirety of the Artboard. If not you will and up with weird coloured bars around your main image on export (I usually scale up the image to exceed the limits of the Twitter Splitter Artboard slightly so I don’t run into issues on the export).

Furthermore, you need to make sure that once the image is imported, it is at the top of all the layers in the Twitter Splitter Artboard (if not, the action will not work).

4. If all of the previous steps are executed correctly, you can now head over to the Actions panel run the Twitter Center Image Splitter action you installed beforehand. Make sure you have the layer containing the main image selected. This will allow photoshop to slice your image, and assign the crops to the respective slots on your 4 Artboards.

5. The hardest part is done!

Now, all thats left to do, is add your 8 remaining images to the file. Once you know where you want to place each of them, I would suggest scrolling down your layers panel until you find the right Layer in the right Artboard for each of your images. Select the Layer, drag and drop your image into Photoshop, position it correctly (again, make sure to scale it up a little bigger than the layer your aiming for) and finally create a clipping mask (Clip your Image to the locked layer named after the spot you’re looking to fill) to make sure you’re not exceeding the crop limit!

6. Once all of your layers all filled up with your beautiful images, you’re ready to export!
Head on over back to the Actions panel where you’ll find the Export Twitter Splitter action. Run it, and it will hide all the unnecessary Artboards, and prompt the export options.
You can chose your prefered Save location, the name of your files, and file type.

Mine is always set on JPEG, Max Quality!

IMPORTANT: WHEN CLOSING THE FILE DO NOT SAVE THE CHANGES MADE TO THE PSD. THIS INSURES YOU ALWAYS OPEN THE FILE THE SAME WAY YOU DOWNLOADED IT. THIS WAY THERE WON’T BE ANY HAPPY LITTLE ACCIDENTS (worst case you can always download it again).

7. Now that you have your 4 files, you’re ready to post to Twitter! Make sure you post in the correct order: TOP LEFT > TOP RIGHT > BOTTOM LEFT > BOTTOM RIGHT.

Thank you, enjoy, and make sure to tag me @ZimmB_ so I can see all of your creations!