The Problem With CSV-Based Batch Processing
CSV-driven automation is powerful, but it has a friction point: building the spreadsheet. You have 50 product photos that need to be placed in a mockup template. You could create a CSV with 50 rows and a single column pointing to each image. But that's 50 rows of manual data entry (or careful folder-to-CSV conversion scripting). For simple batch work, it feels like overkill.
SO Iterate solves this by eliminating the spreadsheet entirely. Point it at a folder, choose a sort order, and the plugin automatically generates 50 mockups — one for each image — without touching a CSV.
How SO Iterate Works
SO Iterate is a folder-based iteration mode for Smart Objects. Point it at a folder, choose a sort order (A-Z, Z-A, or seeded Random), select a fit mode, and hit Start. The plugin scans the folder recursively, processes each image against your template, and exports one mockup per file. Sort modes with seeded randomization are fully reproducible — same seed plus same files always produces the same order across runs. Four suffix modes control output naming, and a Unique/Allow Repeat toggle determines whether images cycle when you have more rows than files.
Real-World Use Cases
Batch Mockup Workflow
A product design firm creates device mockups for a client's portfolio. The client has 100 product photographs. With SO Iterate, they point to the folder, set sort to A-Z and suffix to Sequence, and click Start. 100 mockups export automatically — no spreadsheet, no manual text entry.
A/B Testing with Seeded Randomization
A marketing agency tests two design templates with the same set of product photos. They use the same seed on both templates so the randomized photo order is identical across both — ensuring every position uses the same product image in different layouts. Perfect for fair A/B comparisons.
Product Photo Testing
A photo studio shoots 200 variations of a product (different angles, lighting, backgrounds). The designer needs to see how each looks in the e-commerce product card template. SO Iterate processes all 200 variations against the template in one batch, generating 200 mockups to review.
The best photo is selected from the mockups (not the raw photos), ensuring you're evaluating real-world context, not isolated shots.
Performance
SO Iterate processes images at roughly 1 second per file for simple JPG/PNG exports without artboard isolation. A batch of 100 images in a straightforward mockup template completes in under two minutes. Templates with multiple artboards or heavy PDF/PSD exports take longer — around 4–6 seconds per file, putting 100 images at roughly 8 minutes. Speed also depends on disk access; images on a local SSD process faster than those on a synced cloud folder.