A script for creating guides

[Charlie5C60]

Hello, I am creating technical drawings on illustrator constantly and I have come across scripts! I understand they automate a process however I cant find one online for what I want to achieve 😞  or even if it is possible. 

could anyone help! 

I am trying to create a script that creates a guide two times 3.528mm from a shape / drawing, then a guide that finds the widest point and tallest point of the drawings / text and creates a guide five times 3.528mm and then trims the artboard down to this size of the exsterior guides. I hope that makes sense?Is this possible?  

thank you 

charlie 

[ title changed by moderator ]

[pixxxelschubser]

Yes this is possible.

… that creates a guide two times 3.528mm from a shape / drawing …

That means "around the shape"?

… that finds the widest point …

The left or the right one?

Can you show us please a screenshot from the final drawing with guides (before you trim the artboard) ?

Just need help creating this script? Please show, what you already have.

Or do you need someone to write the script for you?

[Charlie5C60]

Thank you for the reply! Yes you are right create guides around the shape with a 3.528mm. 

The widest point from left, right , top and bottom. if that make sense? and yes I have no experience of scripting or creating one at all. 

below I have attached an example image of the artwork before cutting artboard and exsporting for web legacy. the aim for me is to automate more of the process like adding dimensions - arrows -spacing -exsporting etc.

thanks 

charlie 

 

[ attachment inserted as inline image by moderator ]

[pixxxelschubser]

Ok.

Sure, you can create guides.

But do you really need the guides? Because of you can trim your artboard without to having guides.

Furthermore: It is possible to group your artwork? That would probably make the math a lot easier.

[Charlie5C60]

Hello, thanks for the reply. Yeah I know I wish I didnt have to ! but i am creating over 500 dimension drawings and the guides keep it consitent throughout. and yes of course the way I create the art work is with basic shapes that are all grouped together.  Do you have any ideas of making this whole process quicker ? e.g adding lines, adding mesurments for a whole document? The example is only one part of what im creating and this will be a part of a larger piece. 

Thank you so much 

[pixxxelschubser · Accepted solution]

Your description does not match your screenshot.

Neither the amount, whether the distance between the guides!

But I played a little:

requirements: opened document with your artwork - artwork is grouped

// guides_add_guides_around_grouped_artwork.jsx

// requirements: opened document with your grouped artwork

// creates 4 guides around your artwork (+ 2*distance 3,528mm)
// creates 2 guides on left and top of your artwork (+ 5*distance 3,528mm)

// regards: pixxxelschubser  18.März 2021
// https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/a-script/td-p/11906968
// A script for creating guides

if ( app.documents.length > 0 && app.activeDocument.groupItems.length >0) {
    var distance = 10;
    var aDoc = app.activeDocument;
    var ab_0 = aDoc.artboards[0];
    var ab_lft = ab_0.artboardRect[0];
    var ab_top = ab_0.artboardRect[1];
    var ab_rgt = ab_0.artboardRect[2];
    var ab_btm = ab_0.artboardRect[3];
    
    var grp = aDoc.groupItems[0];
    var grp_bds = grp.visibleBounds;
    var bds_lft = grp_bds[0];
    var bds_top = grp_bds[1];
    var bds_rgt = grp_bds[2];
    var bds_btm = grp_bds[3];
    
    draw_guide (bds_lft-2*distance, ab_top, bds_lft-2*distance, ab_btm);
    draw_guide (bds_rgt+2*distance, ab_top, bds_rgt+2*distance, ab_btm);
    draw_guide (ab_lft, bds_top+2*distance, ab_rgt, bds_top+2*distance);
    draw_guide (ab_lft, bds_btm-2*distance, ab_rgt, bds_btm-2*distance);
    
    draw_guide (bds_lft-5*distance, ab_top, bds_lft-5*distance, ab_btm);
    draw_guide (ab_lft, bds_top+5*distance, ab_rgt, bds_top+5*distance);
}

function draw_guide (x1, y1, x2, y2) {
    var _lft = x1;
    var _top = y1;
    var _rgt = x2;
    var _btm = y2;
    var line = aDoc.pathItems.add();
    line.setEntirePath( Array( Array(_lft, _top), Array(_rgt, _btm) ) );
    line.guides = true;
}

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after:

 

[pixxxelschubser]

@Charlie5C60 

Do you need further assistance?

If you gave feedback it would be very helpful.

[Charlie5C60]

Hello, yes it was very helpful thankyou. However it did not achieve what I wanted it too :(. I think this is because I worded it poorly! I apologise for that. I am going to write a clear version and get a better understanding myself and get back to you if thats ok? 

[pixxxelschubser]

Ok.

A clear description is always an advantage.

😉