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Eiranix
Known Participant
May 1, 2014
Question

Add Margins in Illustrator

  • May 1, 2014
  • 4 replies
  • 12000 views

I have made this little script to quickly add margins to an illustrator document and am posting it here to anyone that might find this helpful.

 

The script will bring up a dialog where you can enter the sizes. Checking the equal box makes all sizes the same as the first.

You have the option of using Millimetres, Inches or Pixels for your units and a last option to apply to all artboards or just the active one.

 

The script then adds the guides to a locked layer called 'Margins' for convenience.

 

There are two versions for your taste- The first creates 4 seperate guidelines. The second creates one rectangle guide.

 

#target illustrator

var docRef = app.activeDocument;

var artboardRef = docRef.artboards;

var workingLayer = docRef.activeLayer;

 

//window

var win = new Window('dialog', "Add Margins");

this.windowRef = win;

 

//panels

win.fieldpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

win.radiopanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

win.radiopanel2 = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

 

//panel orientation

win.fieldpanel.orientation='row';

win.radiopanel.orientation='row';

win.radiopanel2.orientation='row';

 

//fieldpanel

win.fieldpanel.panel1 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Left");

win.fieldpanel.panel2 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Right");

win.fieldpanel.panel3 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Top");

win.fieldpanel.panel4 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Bottom");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input = win.fieldpanel.panel1.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input = win.fieldpanel.panel2.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input = win.fieldpanel.panel3.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input = win.fieldpanel.panel4.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.characters = 5;

 

win.fieldpanel.check1 = win.fieldpanel.add('checkbox', undefined, "Equal");

 

//radiopanel

win.radiopanel.radio1 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "mm");

win.radiopanel.radio2 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "in");

win.radiopanel.radio3 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "px");

 

//radiopanel2

win.radiopanel2.radio1 = win.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "All Artboards");

win.radiopanel2.radio2 = win.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Active Artboard");

 

//select first radio buttons

win.radiopanel.radio1.value = true;

win.radiopanel2.radio1.value = true;

 

//ok button

win.okbutton = win.add('button', undefined, "Ok");

 

//disable fields with checkbox and equal values

win.fieldpanel.check1.onClick = function() {

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

   

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = false;

  } else {

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = true;

  }

};

 

//sync values while checked

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.onChanging = function (){

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

  }

};

 

//event listener for ok button

win.okbutton.onClick = function(){

  var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

  var rightvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text;

  var topvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text;

  var bottomvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text;

 

  if(win.radiopanel.radio1.value) {

    var multiplier = 2.834645669291339

  }

  if(win.radiopanel.radio2.value) {

    var multiplier = 72

  }

  if(win.radiopanel.radio3.value) {

    var multiplier = 1

  }

 

  //close window

  win.close();

 

  //make a margins layer

  var guideLayer = docRef.layers.add();

  guideLayer.name = "Margins";

 

 

  if(win.radiopanel2.radio1.value) {

  

    //repeat for each artboard

    for(i=0;i<artboardRef.length;i++){

 

      //get artboard size

      var left=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

      var top=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1] ;

      var right=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2] ;

      var bottom=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3] ;

 

 

      //create lines

      var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

 

      //set line points

      var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

      var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

      var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

      var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

     

      //set line points

      lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

      lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

      lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

      lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

     

      //make lines guides

      lineLeft.guides = true;

      lineRight.guides = true;

      lineTop.guides = true;

      lineBottom.guides = true;

    };

  } else {

    //get artboard size

    var activeAB = docRef.artboards[docRef.artboards.getActiveArtboardIndex()]; // get active AB

    var left = activeAB.artboardRect[0];

    var top = activeAB.artboardRect[1] ;

    var right = activeAB.artboardRect[2] ;

    var bottom = activeAB.artboardRect[3] ;

 

    //create lines

    var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

    var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

    var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

    var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

 

    //set line points

    var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

    var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

    var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

    var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

 

    //set line points

    lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

    lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

    lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

    lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

 

    //make lines guides

    lineLeft.guides = true;

    lineRight.guides = true;

    lineTop.guides = true;

    lineBottom.guides = true;

  };

 

  //lock margins layer and activate original layer

  guideLayer.zOrder (ZOrderMethod.SENDTOBACK);

  guideLayer.locked = true;

  docRef.activeLayer = workingLayer;

 

};

 

win.show();

 

 

Box Margin Version:

#target illustrator

var docRef = app.activeDocument;

var artboardRef = docRef.artboards;

var workingLayer = docRef.activeLayer;

 

//window

var win = new Window('dialog', "Add Margins");

this.windowRef = win;

 

//panels

win.fieldpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

win.radiopanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

win.radiopanel2 = win.add("panel", undefined, "");

 

//panel orientation

win.fieldpanel.orientation='row';

win.radiopanel.orientation='row';

win.radiopanel2.orientation='row';

 

//fieldpanel

win.fieldpanel.panel1 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Left");

win.fieldpanel.panel2 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Right");

win.fieldpanel.panel3 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Top");

win.fieldpanel.panel4 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Bottom");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input = win.fieldpanel.panel1.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input = win.fieldpanel.panel2.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input = win.fieldpanel.panel3.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input = win.fieldpanel.panel4.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.characters = 5;

 

win.fieldpanel.check1 = win.fieldpanel.add('checkbox', undefined, "Equal");

 

//radiopanel

win.radiopanel.radio1 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "mm");

win.radiopanel.radio2 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "in");

win.radiopanel.radio3 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "px");

 

//radiopanel2

win.radiopanel2.radio1 = win.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "All Artboards");

win.radiopanel2.radio2 = win.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Active Artboard");

 

//select first radio buttons

win.radiopanel.radio1.value = true;

win.radiopanel2.radio1.value = true;

 

//ok button

win.okbutton = win.add('button', undefined, "Ok");

 

//disable fields with checkbox and equal values

win.fieldpanel.check1.onClick = function() {

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

   

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = false;

  } else {

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = true;

  }

};

 

//sync values while checked

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.onChanging = function (){

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

  }

};

 

//event listener for ok button

win.okbutton.onClick = function(){

  var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

  var rightvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text;

  var topvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text;

  var bottomvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text;

 

  if(win.radiopanel.radio1.value) {

    var multiplier = 2.834645669291339

  }

  if(win.radiopanel.radio2.value) {

    var multiplier = 72

  }

  if(win.radiopanel.radio3.value) {

    var multiplier = 1

  }

 

  //close window

  win.close();

 

  //make a margins layer

  var guideLayer = docRef.layers.add();

  guideLayer.name = "Margins";

 

 

  if(win.radiopanel2.radio1.value) {

  

    //repeat for each artboard

    for(i=0;i<artboardRef.length;i++){

 

      //get artboard size

      var top=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1] ;

      var left=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

      var width=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

      var height=artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3];

     

      //set margin sizes

      var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

      var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

      var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

      var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

     

      //create box

      var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

      box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

 

      //make box guides

      box.guides = true;

    };

  } else {

    //get artboard size

    var activeAB = docRef.artboards[docRef.artboards.getActiveArtboardIndex()]; // get active AB

    var left = activeAB.artboardRect[0];

    var top = activeAB.artboardRect[1] ;

    var width = activeAB.artboardRect[2]-activeAB.artboardRect[0];

    var height = activeAB.artboardRect[1]-activeAB.artboardRect[3];

   

    //set margin sizes

    var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

    var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

    var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

    var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

   

    //create box

    var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

    box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

 

    //make box guides

    box.guides = true;

  };

 

  //lock margins layer and activate original layer

  guideLayer.zOrder (ZOrderMethod.SENDTOBACK);

  guideLayer.locked = true;

  docRef.activeLayer = workingLayer;

 

};

 

win.show();

 

    4 replies

    D
    defaultfrzzkd6qqsht
    Participating Frequently
    April 8, 2024

    Thanks for the script, been needing almost this exact setup for the start of something else. Is there anyway to get it so that when I enter 1 and click equal, it now puts a guide at each side and top/bottom at 1 inch, but i also need it to do it at.25 and .5 inch as well as the 1. Is it possible to get all 3 guides placed with one entry? 1st pic is current output, 2nd is what im needing for the guides

    CarlosCanto
    Community Expert
    CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 9, 2024

    here you go, this version will add 3 guides per side, full size as entered in the UI, then 2 more at half the previous size. ie if you enter 1/2", then two more guides will be created at 1/4" and 1/8"

     

    // add guides by eiranix
// https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/add-margins-in-illustrator/m-p/14543246#M403970

// v2 - this version will create 3 guides per side as per defaultfrzzkd6qqsht request

var docRef = app.activeDocument;

var artboardRef = docRef.artboards;

var workingLayer = docRef.activeLayer;

 

//window

var win = new Window('dialog', "Add Margins");

this.windowRef = win;

 

 

//panels

win.fieldpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Sizes");

win.radiopanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Units");

win.optionpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Options");

win.optionpanel.radiopanel2 = win.optionpanel.add("panel", undefined, "Artboard");

win.optionpanel.radiopanel3 = win.optionpanel.add("panel", undefined, "Margin Type");

 

 

//panel orientation

win.fieldpanel.orientation='row';

win.radiopanel.orientation='row';

win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.orientation='row';

win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.orientation='row';

win.optionpanel.orientation='row';

 

//fieldpanel

win.fieldpanel.panel1 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Left");

win.fieldpanel.panel2 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Right");

win.fieldpanel.panel3 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Top");

win.fieldpanel.panel4 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Bottom");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input = win.fieldpanel.panel1.add('edittext', undefined, "1");

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input = win.fieldpanel.panel2.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input = win.fieldpanel.panel3.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input = win.fieldpanel.panel4.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

 

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.characters = 5;

win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.characters = 5;

 

win.fieldpanel.check1 = win.fieldpanel.add('checkbox', undefined, "Equal");

 

//radiopanel

win.radiopanel.radio1 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "mm");

win.radiopanel.radio2 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "in");

win.radiopanel.radio3 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "px");

 

//radiopanel2

win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "All Artboards");

win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio2 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Active Artboard");

 

//radiopanel3

win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Margin Lines");

win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio2 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Margin Box");

 

//select first radio buttons

win.radiopanel.radio2.value = true; // inches

win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1.value = true;

win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value = true;

 

//buttons

win.okbutton = win.add('button', undefined, "Ok");

 

 

 

//disable fields with checkbox and equal values

win.fieldpanel.check1.onClick = function() {

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

 

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = false;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = false;

  } else {

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = true;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = true;

  }

};

 

//sync values while checked

win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.onChanging = function (){

  if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

    var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

    win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

    win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

  }

};

 

//event listener for ok button

win.okbutton.onClick = function(){

  var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

  var rightvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text;

  var topvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text;

  var bottomvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text;

   // carlos edit for defaultfrzzkd6qqsht, to add 1" but also 1/2" and 1/4"
   var sizehalving = [1,2,2];

    //make a margins layer

    var guideLayer = docRef.layers.add();

    guideLayer.name = "Margins";

   for (var bb=0; bb<sizehalving.length; bb++) {
     leftvalue = leftvalue/sizehalving[bb];
     rightvalue = rightvalue/sizehalving[bb];
     topvalue = topvalue/sizehalving[bb];
     bottomvalue = bottomvalue/sizehalving[bb];

    if(win.radiopanel.radio1.value) {

      var multiplier = 2.834645669291339

    }

    if(win.radiopanel.radio2.value) {

      var multiplier = 72

    }

    if(win.radiopanel.radio3.value) {

      var multiplier = 1

    }

   

    if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1.value) {

   

      //repeat for each artboard

      for(i=0;i<artboardRef.length;i++){

   

        //get artboard size

        var left = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

        var top = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1] ;

        var right = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2] ;

        var bottom = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3] ;

        var width = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

        var height = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3];

   

        //create lines

        var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

        var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

        var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

        var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

   

        //set margin values

        var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

        var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

        var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

        var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

   

        if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value) {

          //set line points

          lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

          lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

          lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

          lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

   

          //make lines guides

          lineLeft.guides = true;

          lineRight.guides = true;

          lineTop.guides = true;

          lineBottom.guides = true;

        } else {

          //create box

          var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

          box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

   

          //make box guides

          box.guides = true;

        };

      };

    } else {

      //get artboard size

      var activeAB = docRef.artboards[docRef.artboards.getActiveArtboardIndex()]; // get active AB

      var left = activeAB.artboardRect[0];

      var top = activeAB.artboardRect[1] ;

      var right = activeAB.artboardRect[2] ;

      var bottom = activeAB.artboardRect[3] ;

      var width = activeAB.artboardRect[2]-activeAB.artboardRect[0];

      var height = activeAB.artboardRect[1]-activeAB.artboardRect[3];

   

      //create lines

      var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

      var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

   

      //set margin values

      var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

      var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

      var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

      var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

   

      if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value) {

        //set line points

        lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

        lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

        lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

        lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

   

        //make lines guides

        lineLeft.guides = true;

        lineRight.guides = true;

        lineTop.guides = true;

        lineBottom.guides = true;

      } else {

        //create box

        var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

        box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

   

        //make box guides

        box.guides = true;

      };

    };

  }; // end carlos edit 

  //lock margins layer and activate original layer

  guideLayer.zOrder (ZOrderMethod.SENDTOBACK);

  guideLayer.locked = true;

  docRef.activeLayer = workingLayer;

 

  //close window

  win.close();

};

 

win.show();

     

     

      R
      Rutger_Valk-van de Kl8490
      Participant
      September 8, 2025

      I've made some modifications and improvements to the script to make it easier to use and more feature complete:

      • Renamed to AddMargins as it's more appropriate to what the script does
      • Added option to create multiple guide sizes (1x, 0.5x, 0.5x)
      • Added option to lock the margins layer
      • Changed default settings
      • Added document units as a unit option
      • Improved the UI a bit
      • Cleaned up the code a bit
      • Added JSON configuration support

      The configuration file will be created automatically if it doesn't exist, editing it will update the default options.

       

      // AddMargins by eiranix
// https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/add-margins-in-illustrator/m-p/14543246#M403970

// Version 3.0 - 2025-09-08, edited by Rutger Valk-van de Klundert
// Renamed to AddMargins as it's more appropriate to what the script does
// Added option to create multiple guide sizes (1x, 0.5x, 0.5x)
// Added option to lock the margins layer
// Changed default settings
// Added document units as a unit option
// Improved the UI a bit
// Cleaned up the code a bit
// Added JSON configuration support

var docRef = app.activeDocument;
var artboardRef = docRef.artboards;
var workingLayer = docRef.activeLayer;

// Configuration system
var CONFIG = {
  // Default values - modify these or load from file
  defaults: {
    leftValue: "10",
    rightValue: "0",
    topValue: "0",
    bottomValue: "0",
    equalInputs: true,
    unitType: "document", // "mm", "in", "px", "document"
    allArtboards: false, // true = all artboards, false = active artboard
    marginType: "box", // "lines" or "box"
    locked: true,
    multipleGuides: false
  },
  
  // Get config file path (same directory as script)
  getConfigPath: function() {
    var scriptFile = new File($.fileName);
    var scriptFolder = scriptFile.parent;
    return new File(scriptFolder + "/AddMargins_config.json");
  },
  
  // Load configuration from JSON file
  load: function() {
    var configFile = this.getConfigPath();
    if (configFile.exists) {
      try {
        configFile.open("r");
        var content = configFile.read();
        configFile.close();
        
        // Simple JSON parsing (ExtendScript compatible)
        var config = eval("(" + content + ")");
        
        // Merge with defaults
        for (var key in config) {
          if (this.defaults.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
            this.defaults[key] = config[key];
          }
        }
        return true;
      } catch (e) {
        // File exists but couldn't be parsed, use defaults
        return false;
      }
    }
    return false;
  },
  
  // Save configuration to JSON file
  save: function(values) {
    try {
      var configFile = this.getConfigPath();
      configFile.open("w");
      
      // Create JSON string manually (ExtendScript compatible)
      var jsonStr = "{\n";
      var props = [];
      for (var key in values) {
        if (typeof values[key] === "string") {
          props.push('  "' + key + '": "' + values[key] + '"');
        } else {
          props.push('  "' + key + '": ' + values[key]);
        }
      }
      jsonStr += props.join(",\n") + "\n}";
      
      configFile.write(jsonStr);
      configFile.close();
      return true;
    } catch (e) {
      return false;
    }
  }
};

// Load configuration
CONFIG.load();

// Window
var win = new Window("dialog", "Add Margins");
this.windowRef = win;

// Panels
win.inputPanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Sizes");
win.unitPanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Units");
win.optionPanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Options");

win.optionPanel.artboardOptions = win.optionPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Artboard");
win.optionPanel.marginOptions = win.optionPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Margin Type");
win.optionPanel.sizingOptions = win.optionPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Size Halving");

// Panel orientation
win.inputPanel.orientation = "row";
win.unitPanel.orientation = "row";
win.optionPanel.alignChildren = "fill";
win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.orientation = "row";
win.optionPanel.marginOptions.orientation = "row";
win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.orientation = "row";

// Input panel
win.inputPanel.panel1 = win.inputPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Left");
win.inputPanel.panel2 = win.inputPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Right");
win.inputPanel.panel3 = win.inputPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Top");
win.inputPanel.panel4 = win.inputPanel.add("panel", undefined, "Bottom");

win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input = win.inputPanel.panel1.add("edittext", undefined, CONFIG.defaults.leftValue);
win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input = win.inputPanel.panel2.add("edittext", undefined, CONFIG.defaults.rightValue);
win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input = win.inputPanel.panel3.add("edittext", undefined, CONFIG.defaults.topValue);
win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input = win.inputPanel.panel4.add("edittext", undefined, CONFIG.defaults.bottomValue);

win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.characters = 5;
win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.characters = 5;
win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.characters = 5;
win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.characters = 5;

win.inputPanel.check1 = win.inputPanel.add("checkbox", undefined, "Equal");

// Unit panel
win.unitPanel.radio1 = win.unitPanel.add("radiobutton", undefined, "mm");
win.unitPanel.radio2 = win.unitPanel.add("radiobutton", undefined, "in");
win.unitPanel.radio3 = win.unitPanel.add("radiobutton", undefined, "px");
win.unitPanel.radio4 = win.unitPanel.add("radiobutton", undefined, "Document");

// Option panel
win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio1 = win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.add("radiobutton", undefined, "All Artboards");
win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio2 = win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.add("radiobutton", undefined, "Active Artboard");

win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio1 = win.optionPanel.marginOptions.add("radiobutton", undefined, "Margin Lines");
win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio2 = win.optionPanel.marginOptions.add("radiobutton", undefined, "Margin Box");
win.optionPanel.marginOptions.check1 = win.optionPanel.marginOptions.add("checkbox", undefined, "Locked");

win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.check1 = win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.add("checkbox", undefined, "Multiple Guide Sizes (1x, 0.5x, 0.5x)");

// Toggle enabling/disabling of right, top, and bottom inputs based on "Equal" checkbox
function toggleEqualInputs() {
  if (win.inputPanel.check1.value) {
    var leftvalue = win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.text;
    win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;
    win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;
    win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;
    win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = false;
    win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = false;
    win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = false;
  } else {
    win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = true;
    win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = true;
    win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = true;
  }
}

// Apply configuration to UI
function applyConfig() {
  // Set input values
  win.inputPanel.check1.value = CONFIG.defaults.equalInputs;
  
  // Set unit radio buttons
  switch(CONFIG.defaults.unitType) {
    case "mm":
      win.unitPanel.radio1.value = true;
      break;
    case "in":
      win.unitPanel.radio2.value = true;
      break;
    case "px":
      win.unitPanel.radio3.value = true;
      break;
    case "document":
    default:
      win.unitPanel.radio4.value = true;
      break;
  }
  
  // Set artboard options
  if (CONFIG.defaults.allArtboards) {
    win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio1.value = true;
  } else {
    win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio2.value = true;
  }
  
  // Set margin type
  if (CONFIG.defaults.marginType === "lines") {
    win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio1.value = true;
  } else {
    win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio2.value = true;
  }
  
  // Set checkboxes
  win.optionPanel.marginOptions.check1.value = CONFIG.defaults.locked;
  win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.check1.value = CONFIG.defaults.multipleGuides;
  
  // Apply equal inputs toggle
  toggleEqualInputs();
}

// Get current UI values for saving
function getCurrentConfig() {
  var unitType = "document";
  if (win.unitPanel.radio1.value) unitType = "mm";
  else if (win.unitPanel.radio2.value) unitType = "in";
  else if (win.unitPanel.radio3.value) unitType = "px";
  
  return {
    leftValue: win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.text,
    rightValue: win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.text,
    topValue: win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.text,
    bottomValue: win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.text,
    equalInputs: win.inputPanel.check1.value,
    unitType: unitType,
    allArtboards: win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio1.value,
    marginType: win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio1.value ? "lines" : "box",
    locked: win.optionPanel.marginOptions.check1.value,
    multipleGuides: win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.check1.value
  };
}

// Apply loaded configuration
applyConfig();

// Buttons
win.okbutton = win.add("button", undefined, "Ok");

// Toggle equal inputs on checkbox click
win.inputPanel.check1.onClick = function () {
  toggleEqualInputs();
};

// Sync values while checked
win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.onChanging = function () {
  if (win.inputPanel.check1.value) {
    var leftvalue = win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.text;
    win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;
    win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;
    win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;
  }
};

// Event listener for ok button
win.okbutton.onClick = function () {
  // Save current configuration
  CONFIG.save(getCurrentConfig());
  
  var leftvalue = win.inputPanel.panel1.left_input.text;
  var rightvalue = win.inputPanel.panel2.right_input.text;
  var topvalue = win.inputPanel.panel3.top_input.text;
  var bottomvalue = win.inputPanel.panel4.bottom_input.text;

  // Use sizehalving array only if checkbox is checked
  var sizehalving = win.optionPanel.sizingOptions.check1.value ? [1, 2, 2] : [1];

  // Make a margins layer
  var guideLayer = docRef.layers.add();
  guideLayer.name = "Margins";

  for (var bb = 0; bb < sizehalving.length; bb++) {
    leftvalue = leftvalue / sizehalving[bb];
    rightvalue = rightvalue / sizehalving[bb];
    topvalue = topvalue / sizehalving[bb];
    bottomvalue = bottomvalue / sizehalving[bb];

    // Determine unit type based on radio selection
    var unitType;
    if (win.unitPanel.radio1.value) {
      unitType = "mm";
    } else if (win.unitPanel.radio2.value) {
      unitType = "in";
    } else if (win.unitPanel.radio3.value) {
      unitType = "px";
    } else if (win.unitPanel.radio4.value) {
      // Use document units
      var docUnits = docRef.rulerUnits;
      if (docUnits == RulerUnits.Millimeters) {
        unitType = "mm";
      } else if (docUnits == RulerUnits.Inches) {
        unitType = "in";
      } else if (docUnits == RulerUnits.Pixels) {
        unitType = "px";
      } else if (docUnits == RulerUnits.Centimeters) {
        unitType = "cm";
      } else if (docUnits == RulerUnits.Picas) {
        unitType = "pc";
      } else {
        unitType = "pt"; // Default to points
      }
    }

    if (win.optionPanel.artboardOptions.radio1.value) {
      // Repeat for each artboard
      for (i = 0; i < artboardRef.length; i++) {
        // Get artboard size
        var left = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];
        var top = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1];
        var right = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2];
        var bottom = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3];
        var width = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2] - artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];
        var height = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1] - artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3];

        // Create lines
        var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();
        var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();
        var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();
        var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

        // Set margin values using UnitValue for clean conversion
        var leftmargin = new UnitValue(leftvalue, unitType).as("pt");
        var rightmargin = new UnitValue(rightvalue, unitType).as("pt");
        var topmargin = new UnitValue(topvalue, unitType).as("pt");
        var bottommargin = new UnitValue(bottomvalue, unitType).as("pt");

        if (win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio1.value) {
          // Set line points
          lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);
          lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);
          lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);
          lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

          // Make lines guides
          lineLeft.guides = true;
          lineRight.guides = true;
          lineTop.guides = true;
          lineBottom.guides = true;
        } else {
          // Create box
          var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle(
            top - topmargin,
            left + leftmargin,
            width - rightmargin - leftmargin,
            height - topmargin - bottommargin
          );
          box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();
          box.guides = true;
        }
      }
    } else {
      // Get artboard size
      var activeAB = docRef.artboards[docRef.artboards.getActiveArtboardIndex()];
      var left = activeAB.artboardRect[0];
      var top = activeAB.artboardRect[1];
      var right = activeAB.artboardRect[2];
      var bottom = activeAB.artboardRect[3];
      var width = activeAB.artboardRect[2] - activeAB.artboardRect[0];
      var height = activeAB.artboardRect[1] - activeAB.artboardRect[3];

      // Create lines
      var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();
      var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();
      var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();
      var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

      // Set margin values using UnitValue for clean conversion
      var leftmargin = new UnitValue(leftvalue, unitType).as("pt");
      var rightmargin = new UnitValue(rightvalue, unitType).as("pt");
      var topmargin = new UnitValue(topvalue, unitType).as("pt");
      var bottommargin = new UnitValue(bottomvalue, unitType).as("pt");

      if (win.optionPanel.marginOptions.radio1.value) {
        // Set line points
        lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);
        lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);
        lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);
        lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

        // Make lines guides
        lineLeft.guides = true;
        lineRight.guides = true;
        lineTop.guides = true;
        lineBottom.guides = true;
      } else {
        // Create box
        var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle(
          top - topmargin,
          left + leftmargin,
          width - rightmargin - leftmargin,
          height - topmargin - bottommargin
        );
        box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();
        box.guides = true;
      }
    }
  }

  // Lock margins layer and activate original layer
  guideLayer.zOrder(ZOrderMethod.SENDTOBACK);

  // Lock margins layer if checkbox is checked
  if (win.optionPanel.marginOptions.check1.value) {
    guideLayer.locked = true;
  }

  docRef.activeLayer = workingLayer;
  win.close();
};

win.show();
        K
        Kevin254478135tb1
        Participating Frequently
        November 24, 2022

        thanks so much for this!!!! In AI 2023 it only works on a single page (not "all artboards") and nothing shows when I choose "margin lines", but with active artboard and margin box selected it will save me hours of work each month! Thanks again.

        CarlosCanto
        Community Expert
        CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 24, 2022

        the forum migration to a new platform a couple of years ago messed up some of the scripts. Try copying the script again, I just fixed it.

          R
          RP&S SS
          Participating Frequently
          April 3, 2024

          thanks, this works much better - only problem now is on large documents. For example, a 110" square ai doc, if I set the margins to 6", they actuually appear at what looks to be 49" in. 

           

          I'm unable to get illustrator 28.1 to snap to guides properly so it's hard to tell exactly the size.

          T
          tulsagraphics
          Participant
          February 22, 2017

          I know it's been a few years, but I just discovered your script.  Very handy.  Thank you!!

            CarlosCanto
            Community Expert
            CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            May 1, 2014

            nice, thanks for sharing.

            may I suggest something? combine them into one!!

            E
            EiranixAuthor
            Known Participant
            May 1, 2014

            Yes that would be sensible! don't know why I didn't...

             

            Here is a combined script:

             

            #target illustrator

            var docRef = app.activeDocument;

            var artboardRef = docRef.artboards;

            var workingLayer = docRef.activeLayer;

             

            //window

            var win = new Window('dialog', "Add Margins");

            this.windowRef = win;

             

             

            //panels

            win.fieldpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Sizes");

            win.radiopanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Units");

            win.optionpanel = win.add("panel", undefined, "Options");

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel2 = win.optionpanel.add("panel", undefined, "Artboard");

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel3 = win.optionpanel.add("panel", undefined, "Margin Type");

             

             

            //panel orientation

            win.fieldpanel.orientation='row';

            win.radiopanel.orientation='row';

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.orientation='row';

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.orientation='row';

            win.optionpanel.orientation='row';

             

            //fieldpanel

            win.fieldpanel.panel1 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Left");

            win.fieldpanel.panel2 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Right");

            win.fieldpanel.panel3 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Top");

            win.fieldpanel.panel4 = win.fieldpanel.add('panel', undefined, "Bottom");

             

            win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input = win.fieldpanel.panel1.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

            win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input = win.fieldpanel.panel2.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

            win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input = win.fieldpanel.panel3.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

            win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input = win.fieldpanel.panel4.add('edittext', undefined, "0");

             

            win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.characters = 5;

            win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.characters = 5;

            win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.characters = 5;

            win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.characters = 5;

             

            win.fieldpanel.check1 = win.fieldpanel.add('checkbox', undefined, "Equal");

             

            //radiopanel

            win.radiopanel.radio1 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "mm");

            win.radiopanel.radio2 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "in");

            win.radiopanel.radio3 = win.radiopanel.add('radiobutton',undefined, "px");

             

            //radiopanel2

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "All Artboards");

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio2 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Active Artboard");

             

            //radiopanel3

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Margin Lines");

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio2 = win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.add('radiobutton',undefined, "Margin Box");

             

            //select first radio buttons

            win.radiopanel.radio1.value = true;

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1.value = true;

            win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value = true;

             

            //buttons

            win.okbutton = win.add('button', undefined, "Ok");

             

             

             

            //disable fields with checkbox and equal values

            win.fieldpanel.check1.onClick = function() {

              if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

                var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

                win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

                win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

                win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

             

                win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = false;

                win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = false;

                win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = false;

              } else {

                win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.enabled = true;

                win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.enabled = true;

                win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.enabled = true;

              }

            };

             

            //sync values while checked

            win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.onChanging = function (){

              if(win.fieldpanel.check1.value){

                var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

                win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text = leftvalue;

                win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text = leftvalue;

                win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text = leftvalue;

              }

            };

             

            //event listener for ok button

            win.okbutton.onClick = function(){

              var leftvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel1.left_input.text;

              var rightvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel2.right_input.text;

              var topvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel3.top_input.text;

              var bottomvalue = win.fieldpanel.panel4.bottom_input.text;

             

              if(win.radiopanel.radio1.value) {

                var multiplier = 2.834645669291339

              }

              if(win.radiopanel.radio2.value) {

                var multiplier = 72

              }

              if(win.radiopanel.radio3.value) {

                var multiplier = 1

              }

             

              //make a margins layer

              var guideLayer = docRef.layers.add();

              guideLayer.name = "Margins";

             

             

              if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel2.radio1.value) {

             

                //repeat for each artboard

                for(i=0;i<artboardRef.length;i++){

             

                  //get artboard size

                  var left = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

                  var top = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1] ;

                  var right = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2] ;

                  var bottom = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3] ;

                  var width = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[2]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[0];

                  var height = artboardRef[i].artboardRect[1]-artboardRef[i].artboardRect[3];

             

                  //create lines

                  var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

                  var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

                  var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

                  var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

             

                  //set margin values

                  var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

                  var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

                  var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

                  var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

             

                  if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value) {

                    //set line points

                    lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

                    lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

                    lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

                    lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

             

                    //make lines guides

                    lineLeft.guides = true;

                    lineRight.guides = true;

                    lineTop.guides = true;

                    lineBottom.guides = true;

                  } else {

                    //create box

                    var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

                    box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

             

                    //make box guides

                    box.guides = true;

                  };

                };

              } else {

                //get artboard size

                var activeAB = docRef.artboards[docRef.artboards.getActiveArtboardIndex()]; // get active AB

                var left = activeAB.artboardRect[0];

                var top = activeAB.artboardRect[1] ;

                var right = activeAB.artboardRect[2] ;

                var bottom = activeAB.artboardRect[3] ;

                var width = activeAB.artboardRect[2]-activeAB.artboardRect[0];

                var height = activeAB.artboardRect[1]-activeAB.artboardRect[3];

             

                //create lines

                var lineLeft = docRef.pathItems.add();

                var lineRight = docRef.pathItems.add();

                var lineTop = docRef.pathItems.add();

                var lineBottom = docRef.pathItems.add();

             

                //set margin values

                var leftmargin = (leftvalue * multiplier);

                var rightmargin = (rightvalue * multiplier);

                var topmargin = (topvalue * multiplier);

                var bottommargin = (bottomvalue * multiplier);

             

                if(win.optionpanel.radiopanel3.radio1.value) {

                  //set line points

                  lineLeft.setEntirePath([[left + leftmargin, top], [left + leftmargin, bottom]]);

                  lineRight.setEntirePath([[right - rightmargin, top], [right - rightmargin, bottom]]);

                  lineTop.setEntirePath([[left, top - topmargin], [right, top - topmargin]]);

                  lineBottom.setEntirePath([[left, bottom + bottommargin], [right, bottom + bottommargin]]);

             

                  //make lines guides

                  lineLeft.guides = true;

                  lineRight.guides = true;

                  lineTop.guides = true;

                  lineBottom.guides = true;

                } else {

                  //create box

                  var box = docRef.pathItems.rectangle (top - topmargin, left + leftmargin, width - rightmargin - leftmargin, height - topmargin - bottommargin);

                  box.fillColor = box.strokeColor = new NoColor();

             

                  //make box guides

                  box.guides = true;

                };

              };

             

              //lock margins layer and activate original layer

              guideLayer.zOrder (ZOrderMethod.SENDTOBACK);

              guideLayer.locked = true;

              docRef.activeLayer = workingLayer;

             

              //close window

              win.close();

            };

             

            win.show();

              CarlosCanto
              Community Expert
              CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              May 1, 2014

              thanks, much more efficient.

              thanks

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