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Nikhil Bhojwani
Inspiring
May 2, 2023
Answered

Add a menu item to context menu (right click menu) in Adobe Illustrator

  • May 2, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 4797 views

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to add a custom menu item to the context menu (right-click menu) in Adobe Illustrator. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is possible using either the Adobe Illustrator SDK or ExtendScript, or any other method? If so, could you please share some guidance or resources on how to achieve this?

Thank you!

    Correct answer Nikhil Bhojwani

    Hey, thanks for the response.

    I have requested for this feature, please go ahead and vote for it.

    Link: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/46638691-allow-access-to-add-a-custom-menuitem-to-context-m

    4 replies

    E
    eliana@M
    New Participant
    June 28, 2024

    Hi there,

    Yes, you can add a custom menu item to the context menu in Adobe Illustrator using the Illustrator SDK or ExtendScript. For the SDK, set up your environment, create a plugin using AIUIMenu suite, implement the functionality, and deploy it in the Plug-ins folder. For ExtendScript, you can use something like:

    javascript
    var myMenuItem = app.menus.addMenuItem("myCustomMenuItem", "My Custom Item"); myMenuItem.onSelect = function() { alert("Custom menu item clicked!"); };

    Save and run the script via File > Scripts > Other Script. For more details, check the Adobe SDK Guide and ExtendScript API. For an example of a well-organized menu, visit nandomenus.co.uk.

    Charu Rajput
    Community Expert
    Charu RajputCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 3, 2023

    @Nikhil Bhojwani - You can request the feature here  https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

    If you alreday requested, please share the link so that we can add vote for this feature.

    Best regards
    N
    Nikhil BhojwaniAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 9, 2023

    This is the link, please go ahead and vote for the feature.

    Link: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/46638691-allow-access-to-add-a-custom-menuitem-to-context-m

    Thank you.

    Rick E Johnson
    Rick E Johnson
    Inspiring
    May 9, 2023

    I requested this, too, but never got confirmation that the request was approved. Here it is: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/46616905-sdk-access-to-add-items-to-contextual-menu

    I wonder if now the votes will be divided between the two, making it seem half as popular as it is...

    Rick E Johnson
    Rick E Johnson
    Inspiring
    May 2, 2023

    I've been asking for this too for over 20 years now! I see Astute Graphics has implemented something that appears to use annotations to draw widgets near the cursor when a certain tool is active. That's a brilliant workaround.

     

    Regular menu items are pretty easy to add, including heirarchical menus, pretty much anywhere in the main menu system. Panel flyout menus are also easy to add and use. I agree with you, though, it helps productivity when all the UI you need is in the area you're already looking. Having to take your eyes off your work to search around the screen and then fumble with the mouse takes time and breaks a user's continuity. That time adds up, and custom items in the contextual menu could really help.

      N
      Nikhil BhojwaniAuthorCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      May 9, 2023

      Hey, thanks for the response.

      I have requested for this feature, please go ahead and vote for it.

      Link: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/46638691-allow-access-to-add-a-custom-menuitem-to-context-m

        A. Patterson
        A. Patterson
        Inspiring
        May 2, 2023

        Unfortunately, no, there is no way to add menuitems to the Adobe context menus. If you have your panel where you control the UI, yes, but otherwise no.

          N
          Nikhil BhojwaniAuthor
          Inspiring
          May 2, 2023

          Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it.

          Just to confirm, but we can add Menu Items to the Adobe File Menu Drop Down, right ?

          A. Patterson
          A. Patterson
          Inspiring
          May 2, 2023

          Yes, you can pretty much add a menuitem anywhere in the application menu system. I'm not sure if there are any off-limit spots, but I don't think so.

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