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rcraighead
rcraighead
Legend
October 27, 2017
Question

Script to Image Trace Photoshop file

  • October 27, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1380 views

I don't know where to start with this. I'm not a scripting expert and there seem to be so many options. I'd like to Image Trace a JPG file and save a vector PDF in the same folder.

Our current workflow is to:

  1. Enhance file in Photoshop
  2. Save as JPG
  3. Open JPG in AI
  4. Image Trace using AI preset
  5. Save as PDF in same folder as JPG

This is not a "batch" process since our workflow requires us to complete each conversion before moving to the next.

I would LOVE to see this accomplished without leaving Photoshop, but I don't know how to accomplish this. I even tried using the "convert to paths" option within PS, but don't have enough control over conversion.

Using:

Mac OS X 10.11.6

AI CC 2015.3

PS CC 2015.5

Any suggestions appreciated.

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    1 reply

    Silly-V
    Silly-V
    Legend
    October 30, 2017

    It could be possible with a cross-application script, but it's a little complex. Maybe I can make a test in a course of a couple of weeks.

    rcraighead
    rcraigheadAuthor
    Legend
    October 30, 2017

    Thanks for responding, Silly-V.

    Another thought is to create a "drag-n-drop" script for Illustrator that would save a vector PDF of a JPG that is dropped onto the script.

    I don't know if this is any simpler.

    FYI… I have been testing a Mac-only Macro builder called "Keyboard Maestro". It allows me to "stack" actions (scripts, keyboard commands, etc.) together using a UI. I might be able to use it to combine several scripts more easily.

    Silly-V
    Silly-V
    Legend
    October 30, 2017

    Yes, I also use it! It would actually work, for doing cross-app scripting because I believe it can use applescript to run and get results from javascripts (or just use applescript for the whole thing) synchronously.

    One thing I'm not experienced with yet is live tracing with Illustrator scripting, I think there were some preset issues a while back.

    That's what I'd make first - and if you can actually record an action doing the live trace with preset, this would be a good solution right out of the gate, but I'm not sure that's recordable.

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