PhotoShop/ImageReady automation

[Penman]

I need to resize, sharpen, save and name a large number of files for a project.

When saving the files I'm having two problems:

1) I want to save the files in a new sub folder, which will be created each time I run the droplet - how can this be specified?
2) Before renaming the files with ImageReady's tools (which allows me to add various modifications) - I need to rename all the files to be operated on. How can I do a bulk rename of the files - ideally while retaining some of the information in the exoisting name.

e.g. turning dsc_001 into Picture_001

I'm prepared to spend a little money on software is need be.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sparky's]

The way I work Photoshop is through the "actions" pallett. The best way would be with a script.
Apple Scripting in native to OS X though I have never really tried to write a script myself what you need looks simple enough. Maybe someone in the forums could help out with the writing of it.
In the meantime set up an "Action" then simply click on the action again for the next file. Dialog "stops" can be added to facilitate in specifying exactly what you want to do.