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jorgeb61989050
jorgeb61989050
Participant
January 8, 2018
Answered

Writing linked files name into AI file

  • January 8, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 4038 views

Hello. I'm looking for a little help customizing the script below.

I would like the script to:

  1. Not include the file extension of the linked file in the file name
  2. Position the placed text relative to the top left hand corner of the linked file (not relative to the AI artboard)
  3. My linked file names have spaces in them. I would like the placed text to replace the "%20" with an actual space 

//var Sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.placedItems[0]; // if nothing is selected - use the first linked file item  
var sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.selection[0]; // be sure that a linked item (and not an embedded) is selected  
//alert (sel_itemPlaced.file.name);  
var aTF = app.activeDocument.textFrames.add();  
aTF.position = [50,-50];  
aTF.contents = sel_itemPlaced.file.name;

Many thanks so far to pixxxel schubser​ who has helped me get this far. This request spawned from Linked files name​.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Disposition_Dev

cursory testing shows this to do what you're looking for. but beware. there is no error handling

function test()

{

    //var Sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.placedItems[0]; // if nothing is selected - use the first linked file item   

    var sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.selection[0]; // be sure that a linked item (and not an embedded) is selected   

    var selPos = sel_itemPlaced.position;

    var aTF = app.activeDocument.textFrames.add();

    var fileName = sel_itemPlaced.file.name;

    var textContents = fileName.replace(/\%20/g," "); //change %20 to spaces

    textContents = textContents.replace(/\.[^\.]*$/,""); //remove extension

   

    //set the text frame position to 50pt right of left edge of the placed item

    //and 50pt below the top of the placed item

    aTF.position = [selPos[0] + 50,selPos[1] - 50];

    aTF.contents = textContents; //add the textContents to the textFrame.

    }

test();

4 replies

A
aprilm33724538
Participating Frequently
March 23, 2018

How do I save and use this script?

pixxxelschubser
Community Expert
pixxxelschubserCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 23, 2018

Hi aprilm33724538​,

Installing Scripts in latest Illustrator CC release (V 22.0.1)

and

Automation with scripts in Illustrator

and

javascript - Where to put the script to appear under scripts menu in Illustrator cs5.1 - Stack Overflow

Have fun

    A
    aprilm33724538
    Participating Frequently
    March 28, 2018

    I know how to install the script, but I do not know how to save it. What do I do with this text? Is there a program? A download available?

    function test()

    {

        //var Sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.placedItems[0]; // if nothing is selected - use the first linked file item  

        var sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.selection[0]; // be sure that a linked item (and not an embedded) is selected  

        var selPos = sel_itemPlaced.position;

        var aTF = app.activeDocument.textFrames.add();

        var fileName = sel_itemPlaced.file.name;

        var textContents = fileName.replace(/\%20/g," "); //change %20 to spaces

        textContents = textContents.replace(/\.[^\.]*$/,""); //remove extension

      

        //set the text frame position to 50pt right of left edge of the placed item

        //and 50pt below the top of the placed item

        aTF.position = [selPos[0] + 50,selPos[1] - 50];

        aTF.contents = textContents; //add the textContents to the textFrame.

        }

    test();

    Disposition_Dev
    Disposition_Dev
    Legend
    January 8, 2018

    Silly-V with the assist. crushed it.

      jorgeb61989050
      jorgeb61989050Author
      Participant
      January 8, 2018

      Absolutely marvelous. The script worked like a charm.

      Can you point me to someplace where I can learn to format the placed text? For example, say I wanted it to be in a specific font, font size and color.

      Disposition_Dev
      Disposition_Dev
      Legend
      January 8, 2018

      check out this link, then find your version of illustrator and open the corresponding Javascript Reference guide.

      Illustrator Scripting | Adobe Developer Connection

      Do a search in the guide for "characterAttributes". There you'll find all of the available properties regarding font, size, color, etc.

        Silly-V
        Silly-V
        Legend
        January 8, 2018

        You may find use in the decoreURI(File.name) function, to take care of the encoded URI (there could be other characters than the %20).

          Disposition_Dev
          Disposition_DevCorrect answer
          Legend
          January 8, 2018

          cursory testing shows this to do what you're looking for. but beware. there is no error handling

          function test()

          {

              //var Sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.placedItems[0]; // if nothing is selected - use the first linked file item   

              var sel_itemPlaced = app.activeDocument.selection[0]; // be sure that a linked item (and not an embedded) is selected   

              var selPos = sel_itemPlaced.position;

              var aTF = app.activeDocument.textFrames.add();

              var fileName = sel_itemPlaced.file.name;

              var textContents = fileName.replace(/\%20/g," "); //change %20 to spaces

              textContents = textContents.replace(/\.[^\.]*$/,""); //remove extension

             

              //set the text frame position to 50pt right of left edge of the placed item

              //and 50pt below the top of the placed item

              aTF.position = [selPos[0] + 50,selPos[1] - 50];

              aTF.contents = textContents; //add the textContents to the textFrame.

              }

          test();

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