An action that deletes all hidden objects

[iBabs2]

Hello

In a constant effort to save and place smaller files...I was wondering if there was a way to script illustrator files so that it deletes all the hidden objects.

I end up with so many hiden objects in these files, I am sure that would be a great help, if I could set an action either inside of illustrator or through a script to drag and drop files onto to that would delete the hidden files.

I cannot find any commands on this in the program, so I did not know if it is possible, but I figures I would try.

thanks!

babs

[Larry G. Schneider]

Here's a script that I have to delete hidden layers in a file. It could be reworked to target page items. Remember you can only delete something if it is visible.

--get a sourceFolder that holds the files to process
set sourceFolder to (choose folder with prompt "Choose a folder with files to process:") as text

-- get a list of files of the files to process in the sourceFolder
tell application "Finder" to set workingFiles to (every file of folder sourceFolder) as alias list

repeat with aFile in workingFiles
    tell application "Adobe Illustrator"
        open aFile
       
        set currentFile to front document
       
        tell application "Adobe Illustrator"
            set myLayers to every layer of currentFile
           
            repeat with i from 1 to count of items in myLayers
               
                set myLayer to item i of myLayers
                set locked of myLayer to false
               
                if visible of myLayer is true then
                    set visible of myLayer to false
                else if visible of myLayer is false then
                    set visible of myLayer to true
                end if
               
            end repeat
           
            delete (every layer of currentFile whose visible is true)
           
        end tell
       
        tell application "Adobe Illustrator"
           
            set visible of (every layer of currentFile) to true
           
        end tell
       
        close currentFile with saving
       
    end tell
end repeat

[iBabs2]

Hi Larry,

This script gives a message that the  variable working files is not defined ?

any thoughts on that one 😉

thanks!

babs

[Larry G. Schneider]

Where and/or how are you running the script? I just tested it in AICS4 with a folder on my desktop and it worked fine. I had placed the script in the AICS4>Presets>Scripts folder. I just tried it from the script editor and it ran fine from there also.

[iBabs2]

Hi Larry....

Hmmm....I wonder if it has to do with the operating system..

I am on 10.5 on my laptop using AICS3 and it worked fine.

In the Office, we are still on 10.4...I wonder if that is what is causing the problem..

Is that possible?

thanks!!!

babs

[Larry G. Schneider]

Shouldn't be a problem. Actually the script was written when I was on 10.4.9 or so. Did you run it from the ScriptEditor at the office or from the application?

[iBabs2]

I actually saved it as an .app on my desktop and double clicked it where it asks me to choose a folder.

Is there another way I should be doing this??

thanks!!!!

babs

[Larry G. Schneider]

Try using

Set workingFiles to (every file of folder sourceFolder) as alias list

[iBabs2]

Hi Larry.....

I won't be able to test this till I am back in my other office and that will not be till next wednesday....

I will try it then and let you know if it works 😉

thanks!

babs