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I want to use Illustrator's Actions to expedite repetite tasks.
I tried to create the following action:
Trouble is, right after "Pasting" (some image for tracing from the Clipboard), Illustrator fails to capture a crucial step I need to perform which is to adjust the Artboard to the size to the pasted image?
I go Object > Artboards > Fit to artwork bounds (or Selected Art) and I can see the command being executed under my eyes when I summon it with the mouse YET the command never shows up in the recorded actions? As though Illustrator fails to capture it?
Any idea why? So frustrating...
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For this step you'd have to use the Insert Menu Item command in the flyout menu of the Actions palette.
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I tried that already to no avail?
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@Roger Breton are you planning to do a 'batch' action to this? You have a folder of images and you want to apply that same 'action' to all of the images.
Or is it a one-off, and whenever you need to do a repetitve task, this would do the trick.
I ask because in my head, the same artwork will always be in the clipboard unless you copy a new artwork there.
When I teach my students how to use 'Actions' always write ot down first. What are 'ALL' the steps you are trying to accomplish.
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This is a "one-off" type of things.
As I find interesting art on the web, to demo vector concepts to my students, I copy the image and paste it into a new document. From there, the steps I perform are always the same.
Thank's for your kind help.
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@Roger Breton
Make sure there is another Illustrator document open so that when we close the file, we can easily stop the recording of the action.
Copy image (from the web) and Paste image into Illustrator:
Actions:
1. Create a new action set. Give it a name for the folder
2. Create a new action + . Give it a name (I normally give it the same name from the folder). Hit record.
3. Take the image and resize the artboard. Object - Artboard - Fit to Selected Art
4. Image Trace - Pick a Preset (I will use High Fidelity Photo or 16 Colors) - Click OK
5. Click on Expand
6. Save file. Pick a file format. Click Save
7. Pick a version if Illustrator Options pop open or SVG options. Click OK when ready
8. Close file
9. Stop action
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That won't work, mpchow.
Both the Fit to Artwork Bounds and the Fit to Selected Art commands can only be incorporated into an action by using the Insert Menu Item command in the Actions Palette flyout menu.
Roger, exactly how did you try it?
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Can't believe it but it works!!!
Here's my final script :
Such a satisfaction.
I used "Selected Art" instead of Fit to artwork bounds but it worked. Inserting a "Menu item" worked, this time. Beats me why. It's going to save me a ton of time!!!!
Thank's everyone who replied! I owe you a beer 🙂
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Gee! It did not record my selection of Layer "color"?
Somehow, I end up with the "default" layer color. Here shown in "Blue" because I changed it after the fact.
Also noteworthy, there are no way to "edit" any of the options entered in a given dialog box?
Inserting menu items is very useful but I would also like to be able to insert panel selections...
Nothing is perfect in life 😞