Are variables bound to multiple objects supported?

[David_at_Summit]

Using the latest version of Adobe Illustrator, I've encountered a possible bug in the way variable libraries are saved and loaded.

Illustrator allows more than one object to be bound to a variable, provided each object sharing a variable also share variable type compatibility, such as visibility or text-content. This provides a way to share variable values, for instance, when variable title or other text might need to appear in more than one location of a design.

This one-to-many relationship between variables and objects seems to work fine until I try to save or load the variable library. Whenever I try to load a saved library, I get the error message, "The incoming variable library is invalid." I inspected the XML variable library file that is generated when saved and discovered that the list of declared variables within it is incorrect; some variables are omitted while others are duplicated. The variable data sets, which detail the values for each variable in each dataset, are generated correctly in the XML file; one variable name and one value for each variable and for each dataset. So, I tried correcting the variable declaration. This appears to correct part of the problem, since I now get a confirmation dialogue box, asking if it is okay to replace/overwrite existing variable values. However, after confirming, I get the error, "The filter cannot complete because of an unknown error."

So, now I am wondering if Illustrator ever officially supported this one-to-many relationship between variables and objects, which I've been using. Artificial Intelligence seems to think so. But, I cannot find any evidence of that in cited sources.

[Kurt Gold]

Your findings might be correct.

To inspect it, can you share an Illustrator file that exemplifies it?

[David_at_Summit]

Kurt,

Certainly can. Below is a share link to an example Illustrator file.

• Test Illustrator design: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11rX1JxlcBO8lGODFeJXYtqHSg-p2nMmN

To test, open the design, save the variable library, and then try to load the same library. Inspect the library XML file to see the improper list of variables in the variable declaration section, "<variables>". Below is the way this section is generated for me. I presume this will be the same for anyone trying it.

<variables>
	<variable  category="&ns_flows;" trait="textcontent" varName="Variable1"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable2"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable2"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable5"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable5"></variable>
</variables>

This is what the first error is about. In the case above, Variable2 and Variable5 are repeated, while variables numbered 2, 3, 4, and 6 are missing. Correcting the list to the below version will overcome the first error, but present the second error after confirming to replace existing variable values.

<variables>
	<variable  category="&ns_flows;" trait="textcontent" varName="Variable1"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable2"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable3"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable4"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable5"></variable>
	<variable  category="&ns_vars;" trait="visibility" varName="Variable6"></variable>
</variables>

[Kurt Gold]

Thanks for the link.

Unfortunately it does not include a public download link. Can you share a public download link, so one can get the Illustrator file straightforwardly?

[David_at_Summit]

Ughh! Thanks for pointing-out that the link requires login to access, despite all Adobe descriptions to the contrary. I should have tested it. When I did, even after logging-in, I noticed that the review system does not provide any way to download the file.

Try the link now, updated to a Google Drive share. It should make a download option available in the upper-right corner when viewing.

Here is the Adobe Review System settings for the former link, which indicates no password is required. I now wonder if it means an ad hoc password, separate for the link only.

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