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Participant
July 3, 2019
Answered

Creating Multiple Symbols

  • July 3, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 6037 views

I'm working on a file that has a large number of icons on it but would like to convert those icons into symbols to create a symbol library. However, when selecting multiple icons to create new symbols, it just creates one grouped symbol.

Is there a way to select multiple objects and have them convert into individual symbols?

Correct answer CarlosCanto

check the script on this thread, hope it helps

Re: How to make Static Symbols as your default in Illustrator.

4 replies

ESG AC
Participant
October 23, 2024

You can add selection of multilpe objects to the graphics tab in the 3d Panel  and they will all be individual symbols in the Symbols Panel.

Participant
May 19, 2025

Thank you for posting this!! Saved so much time

CarlosCanto
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 8, 2019

Here's the origial script posted in the missing link above. I hope this is the one.

 

// script.name = addStaticSymbols.jsx;
// script description = create Static Symbols out of selected Objects, Version 2 replaces selection with newly created symbol
// script.requirements = open document with one or more selected objects
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 11/24/2017; v2 05/10/2018

function main() {
    try {var idoc = app.activeDocument;}
    catch (e) {alert ('Open a document and try again'); return };

    var sel = idoc.selection, a, newSymbol, instance;
    
    for (a=sel.length-1; a>=0; a--) {
        newSymbol = idoc.symbols.add(sel[a], SymbolRegistrationPoint.SYMBOLCENTERPOINT);
        try {
            newSymbol.name = sel[a].name;
        }
        catch (e) {}
        instance = idoc.symbolItems.add(newSymbol);
        instance.position = sel[a].position;
        sel[a].remove();
    }
}

main();
Participant
August 31, 2020

Hi Carlos.

I realize it has been a while since this thread has been active, but I hope I can catch your support.

When I try to run your script, I get an "Expected Statement" error. I tried looking it up, and it says it most likely is the file I am working from causing it. But I get this error on anything I try to run it on. 

Granted, I am not an expert at scripting, but I do believe I managed to copy paste your file, save it as .vbs, and I can click it in Ai, but it won't work.

Can you help, and apologies if this is something basic I am missing...

femkeblanco
Legend
August 31, 2020

It's Javascript.  Save it as .jsx

marliton
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 3, 2019

Hi Dany. Just drag the icons to the Assets export panel, define the export settings and click the Export button.

Marlon Ceballos
DanyG5Author
Participant
July 3, 2019

Hi Marliton,

That would just create individual files. I'm trying to convert the icons into symbols within the symbols panel without having to do it 1-by-1

CarlosCanto
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 3, 2019

Hi Dany, did you try using the script?

CarlosCanto
Community Expert
CarlosCantoCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 3, 2019

check the script on this thread, hope it helps

Re: How to make Static Symbols as your default in Illustrator.

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 3, 2019

Hi Carlos,

I just looked at your script, and it’s amazing — but appears to change the default from Dynamic to Static, while Dany’s issue seems to be that she/he wants to select multiple icons and make them into individual symbols.

I am going to assume each icon is a group of objects, although we didn’t hear that. We also don’t know if they are on one artboard or individual artboards.

~ Jane

DanyG5Author
Participant
July 3, 2019

Hi Jane,

Yes, each icon is a group of objects and, they are all currently set in one artboard.

Thanks