Any way to expand until completely expanded

[Jason Burnett]

I have a symbol that looks like a standard stick figure. Inside the symbol, each body part is also a symbol. So inside the head, for example, is an ellipse shape/vector path.

But inside the arm symbol, there are three more symbols (shoulder, bicep, forearm).

Inside each of the symbols in the arm symbol is a shape/vector path.

I have been expanding and expanding and expanding and I'm sick and tired of it.

Is there any way to "EXPAND COMPLETELY" so that I have a series of layered shapes/vectors?

I keep expanding ungrouping and this is one of several that I have to do. 

Any ideas on how to do this better?

Thanks in advance.

[m1b · Accepted solution]

Hi JP_Burnout,

First off, I'll say that I don't know the proper way to do this, and I hope someone posts a better way... But, I've had a quick hack at it and come up with this:

// start with the SymbolItem selected before running script

completelyExpandSymbol(app.activeDocument.selection[0]);


function completelyExpandSymbol(item) {
    var items;
    if (item.typename == 'SymbolItem') {
        app.executeMenuCommand('Expand3');
        item = app.activeDocument.selection[0];
    }
    if (item.typename == 'GroupItem') {
        items = ungroup(item)
    }
    if (items != undefined) {
        for (var i = 0; i < items.length; i++) {
            if (items[i].typename == 'GroupItem' || items[i].typename == 'SymbolItem') {
                completelyExpandSymbol(items[i])
            }
        }
    }
    function ungroup(group) {
        if (!group.pageItems) return false;
        var items = [];
        for (var i = group.pageItems.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
            items.push(group.pageItems[i]);
            group.pageItems[i].move(group, ElementPlacement.PLACEBEFORE);
        }
        return items;
    }
}

You still have to manually hit enter once for every SymbolItem. It keeps groups based on the way the symbols were structured. Let me know if it works for you!

Regards,

Mark

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

You may try Object > Flatten Transparency.

[m1b]

Nice!

[Ashutosh_Mishra]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. I hope you found your answer. We'd appreciate if you can mark the appropriate response correct. If you used any other method, you can share it with us. It'll help other users with similar concern.

Let us know if you have still have any concern, we'll be happy to help.

Regards,

Ashutosh