Skip to main content
B
biddenback
Participant
January 24, 2017
Answered

Script to insert used swatches

  • January 24, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1688 views

I print files from Illustrator to a plate imager. The artwork gets printed in color separation, so I put the filename in registration and the color names in their respective color so that the printing press operator knows what color belongs to each plate. I have already written a script to automatically insert the file name, but I'm having trouble coming up with one for the colors. I need the script to insert the name of only the swatches used in the file that is linked on the artboard, but also change the color of the text to its respective color. Please help!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer biddenback

    Okay. So I've got all of my templates set up so the swatch list is blank when it is opened. That way, only the colors used in the placed files will show up in the swatches panel. Here's my code so far (don't laugh...I'm brand new at this!):

    var docRef = app.activeDocument;

    var myTextFrame = docRef.textFrames.add();

    myTextFrame.contents = docRef.placedItems[0].file.name;
    myTextFrame.position = [15,-1015];
    charAttr = myTextFrame.textRange.characterAttributes;
    charAttr.textFont = app.textFonts.getByName("Helvetica-Light");
    charAttr.size = 12;
    charAttr.fillColor = docRef.swatches[1].color;
    var colorNames = docRef.textFrames.add();
    var sL = docRef.swatches; 
    var text = ''; 
    for (var i = 0; i < sL.length; i++) { 
         if (sL.name != '[None]' && sL.name != '[Registration]') { 
              text += sL.name + ' '; 
         } 
    }
    colorNames.contents = text
    colorNames.position = [15,-1000];
    colAttr = colorNames.textRange.characterAttributes;
    colAttr.textFont = app.textFonts.getByName("Helvetica-Light");
    colAttr.size = 12;

    All I need now is to the change the color of the swatch text to match their respective swatch names.

    1 reply

    Silly-V
    Silly-V
    Legend
    January 24, 2017

    So you have a document with placed files and you want to get the colors that are used inside those placed files?

    Are they all spot colors?

    B
    biddenbackAuthor
    Participant
    January 25, 2017

    Correct. Most of them are 100% Black, but if they have color then it is usually spot colors. We have a few CMYK files but those are pretty rare. I just need the color names to show up on the corresponding plate when I print it.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices