Use Applescript to copy Layer Objects between documents

Question

I am trying to script the following with AppleScript:

1. User chooses reference and target files

2. open the reference file

3. Select and copy the objects on a specific layer to the clipboard

4. Paste clipboard contents into specific layer in target file

The InDesign CS3 dictionary has a copy command, but I encounter an error every which way I try to use it

copy v : Copies the selection in the active document window to the clipboard.

My script so far:

-- prompt user for reference and target files

set the reference_file to choose file with prompt "Select the InDesign reference file:" without invisibles

--set the target_file to choose file with prompt "Select the target file:"

tell application "Adobe InDesign CS3"

activate

set myLayer to "Layer 1"

open reference_file

tell active document

set reference_layer to object reference of (layer myLayer)

select every page item of reference_layer

copy selection

--close reference_file saving no

end tell

ERROR MESSAGE:

"Adobe InDesign CS3 got an error: selection of active document doesn’t understand the copy message."

Any one know how to use the copy verb correctly?

L__Guy_O_Rojo · Accepted Answer

Hi:Try usingcopyby itself, without a following parameter. In my scripts, I tell the App to do this, not the document or page.hth,egr

sstanleyau · Answer

There's no need to copy -- use the duplicate command instead. It'll be quicker, and doesn't overwrite the clipboard's contents:

tell application "Adobe InDesign CS3"

set active layer of document 2 to "Layer 1" -- the target document

duplicate (every page item of document 1 where name of its item layer is "Layer 1") to page 1 of document 2

end tell

Sign up