Skip to main content
S
Saki H
Known Participant
February 2, 2012
Answered

Is ExtendScript Toolkit same as Native InDesign Dialogs?

  • February 2, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 1345 views

Please excuse the absolute novice-level question, but I wasn't sure where else to go. The Scripting IU Options under Featured Content (http://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-1025) refers to Native InDesign Dialogs, which are described as easiest to create. Accordingly, I thought this would be be the best IU for a beginner. However, I can't find anything with that name in ID 5. Is it the same as the ExtendScript Toolkit or does this refer to something else? Also, can I use JavaScript in Native InDesign Dialogs/ExtendScript Toolkit or only AppleScript? Since JavaScript seems more versatile, I would prefer to start with that.

Many thanks,

Neil

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

Neil,

The ExtendScript Toolkit is a programming environment, that is, an application to write and debug scripts in, that's all (it's for JavaScript only). You could use different applications, Notepad even, because JavaScript scripts are plain text files. The ES Toolkit just makes life a bit easier (in InDesign versions other than CS4).

Native InDesign dialogs are part of InDesign's object model, they can be used only in InDesign scripts. Script UI dialogs can be used in other CS applications as well. I don't agree that native InDesign dialogs are easier to implement than ScriptUI ones. I was glad when ScriptUI came along and I could leave the native dialogs behind. ScriptUI is far more versatile than InDesign's dialogs. Another advantage of ScriptUI is that there's good support for it in this forum, with InDesign's dialogs you're pretty much on your own. ScriptUI can be used only with JavaScript. See http://tinyurl.com/25thymh for an introduction (which does assume knowledge of JavaScript).

Peter

1 reply

Peter Kahrel
Community Expert
Peter KahrelCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 3, 2012

Neil,

The ExtendScript Toolkit is a programming environment, that is, an application to write and debug scripts in, that's all (it's for JavaScript only). You could use different applications, Notepad even, because JavaScript scripts are plain text files. The ES Toolkit just makes life a bit easier (in InDesign versions other than CS4).

Native InDesign dialogs are part of InDesign's object model, they can be used only in InDesign scripts. Script UI dialogs can be used in other CS applications as well. I don't agree that native InDesign dialogs are easier to implement than ScriptUI ones. I was glad when ScriptUI came along and I could leave the native dialogs behind. ScriptUI is far more versatile than InDesign's dialogs. Another advantage of ScriptUI is that there's good support for it in this forum, with InDesign's dialogs you're pretty much on your own. ScriptUI can be used only with JavaScript. See http://tinyurl.com/25thymh for an introduction (which does assume knowledge of JavaScript).

Peter

S
Saki HAuthor
Known Participant
February 8, 2012

Thank you, Peter, for the detailed response! I will need to spend some time looking into Script UI further.

Best,

Neil

Larry G. Schneider
Community Expert
Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2012

You might try looking here

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/737499

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