Does anyone know of a reasonably easy way to import photoshop .pat files into gimp pattern files OR even something that exports layers to individual files and I can batch convert those? Trying to import layer by layer of a photoshop file can take years (so it seems) and I can't help but think there is an easier way. I have the script to batch convert individual files but nothing that does layers to separate files and I know I've seen one somewhere.

There is a plug-in available (source code | Windows binary), but I have never used it (it's for GIMP 2.4, but in theory should work with 2.6).

The link to the windows binary seems to be dead. I tried it in Firefox and chrome.

I have it uploaded to MediaFire, the registry is down i think.here is the download link.
Basicly the plugin is called PS-Pat_Load

ps-pat-load-1.0.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/?j3em3db5kjudav5

In addition, the FX Foundry package contains the multi layer tool you may be looking for.