Skip to main content
C
Cleo_helm
Known Participant
June 16, 2017
Answered

Adding objects relativly to the previous object

  • June 16, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 569 views

Dear all,

I want to generate 20 objects (the grey ones) with a specific gap in between them and starting relativ to an already present object (the "FoFe" field):

I'm able to generate those 20 objects but I'm out of ideas to move them below each other.

My code:

var myMasterSpread = myDocument.masterSpreads.item(0);
var TF_FoFe = myMasterSpread.textFrames.add({
geometricBounds: [60,36,74,60] /*size of Text box*/,
contents: "FoFe" /*what is written in the text box*/
}); // end of description of text box
var myPara2 = TF_FoFe.paragraphs[0];
myPara2.properties = {
appliedFont: app.fonts.item("Arial"), // which font is used
fontStyle: "Bold", // bold or regular or italic
pointSize: 10, // which font size is used
justification: Justification.centerAlign // should the text be left, center or right aligned
}; // end of description of second TextBox 
for (var a = 0; a < 20; a++) {
var myY1 = 82;
var myX1 = 36;
var myY2 = 96;
var myX2 = 60;
var myGap = 8;
var myTf = myMasterSpread.textFrames.add({
geometricBounds: [myY1, myX1, myY2, myX2],
LocationOptions: LocationOptions.AFTER,
reference: PageItem.PreviousItem
});
}

The PreviousItem thing doesn't work, I'm missing the thing, that it takes into account the objects it created by itself.

Do you have any ideas? I become desperate...

Best

Cleo

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Peter Kahrel

next- and previousItem are relevant only in linked objects, such as paragraphs in a story. For threaded frames you'd use previousTextFrame and nextTextFrame, but since you're placing individual frames they're not relevant. You simply place individual frames. I'd do it like this:

var gb = [82, 36, 96, 60];
var myGap = 8;  
myGap = gb[2] - gb[0] + myGap;
for (var a = 0; a < 20; a++) {
  gb[0] += myGap;
  gb[2] += myGap;
  var myTf = myMasterSpread.textFrames.add ({geometricBounds: gb});
}

Define the geometric bounds of the first frame. Then place frames using geometric bounds with the same left and right sides, but adding the gap to the top and bottom bounds. If the gap height is 8, then the second frame is placed such that its top is lower by its height plus the gap.

Peter

1 reply

Peter Kahrel
Community Expert
Peter KahrelCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 16, 2017

next- and previousItem are relevant only in linked objects, such as paragraphs in a story. For threaded frames you'd use previousTextFrame and nextTextFrame, but since you're placing individual frames they're not relevant. You simply place individual frames. I'd do it like this:

var gb = [82, 36, 96, 60];
var myGap = 8;  
myGap = gb[2] - gb[0] + myGap;
for (var a = 0; a < 20; a++) {
  gb[0] += myGap;
  gb[2] += myGap;
  var myTf = myMasterSpread.textFrames.add ({geometricBounds: gb});
}

Define the geometric bounds of the first frame. Then place frames using geometric bounds with the same left and right sides, but adding the gap to the top and bottom bounds. If the gap height is 8, then the second frame is placed such that its top is lower by its height plus the gap.

Peter

C
Cleo_helmAuthor
Known Participant
June 19, 2017

Hi Peter,

with [2] and [0] I target the thrid and first part of my gb-array. I lacked this information.

Thank you.

Cleo

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 19, 2017

Hi Cleo,

another variant would be to use methods duplicate() where you can advance the duplicate to a new position:

Adobe InDesign CS6 (8.0) Object Model JS: Rectangle

First argument not used, second argument defined as array of x/y to define new position with duplicate by argument:

duplicate( undefined,  [x,y ] )

var rect = app.documents[0].spreads[0].rectangles.add
(
    {
        geometricBounds : [0,0,10,50] ,
        fillColor : "None"
    }
);
var advanceDupsInYby = 20;
var numOfDups = 5;
for(var n=0;n<numOfDups;n++)
{
    rect.duplicate( undefined , [ 0, (n+1)*advanceDupsInYby ]);
};

Regards,
Uwe

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