Anyone else having issues with the ExtUngroup script (Sergey Osokin)?

[Egon Aszmann]

Hi! I think this script is amazing (thanks Sergey Osokin), but I'm having a small issue. ExtUngroup.jsx

When I check "Release Clipping Masks" and "Remove Mask Shapes" without checking "Ungroup All", the script still ungroups everything.

I'm not good with code, but I already tried to find a solution using Gemini and ChatGPT — they made over 50 attempts but couldn't fix it.

Is it possible for the script to release the clipping masks and remove the mask shapes without affecting the group structure?

You can watch the video demonstrating the issue at the following link: https://imgur.com/a/RXUy9Ji

Thanks in advance!

[m1b]

Hi @Egon Aszmann I had a quick look at Sergei's script and—as it is written currently—doesn't actually do what you want. It can be modified to do it though.

@Sergey Osokin perhaps you would like to address this? Let me know if you don't have time.

- Mark

[Sergey Osokin · Accepted solution]

Try this script by Kenneth Webb. Carlos Canto in 2020 republished the code
https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/remove-clipping-mask/m-p/11459304#M245807

[Egon Aszmann]

Thank you, Sergey! And congratulations on your amazing work.

[m1b · Accepted solution]

Hi all, you have this well and truly sorted, but I've had a need for a long time for a similar script with some specific functionality: the ability to choose the "depth" of the ungrouping. So this thread gave me the impetus to write it

It's called Deep Ungrouper. You can find it on my github repo or you can download it directly.

Let me know what you think.

- Mark

Removing all groups and clipping masks at all depths:

Removing all groups and clipping masks except the top level groups:

Removing *only* groups at all depths:

Removing groups at depths 3 and 4:

[Egon Aszmann]

Thanks. I will try.

[Egon Aszmann]

I've already tested it. This script is going to help me a lot. I work as a graphic designer at a digital printing company in Spain, serving clients from Portugal, and most of the time the vector files are a real mess. The vast majority are created in Canvas or in other ways that leave the file full of unnecessary clipping masks. That's why I really need something that allows me to organize everything better so I can edit it later if necessary.
Thank you very much!

[m1b]

Good to hear! I will definitely find it useful for similar situations.

Let me know if you find any bugs—I haven't tested it much so there's bound to be some.

[Kurt Gold]

That's a thorough and very useful approach, Mark.

Thanks for sharing it.