Can an Action close a file without saving - or asking permission ???

[Allen Cobb]

I'm using an Action in a Batch operation. The procedure opens each AI file in an Input folder, one at a time, and writes a specific size JPG into an Output folder. 

Since the AI files aren't being changed, I don't need or want to save them. (I'd prefer not to, in order to preserve their last edit timestamp.)

But the Action script can't close a file without saving! So I have to choose NO for every file in the batch. I tried inserting a Revert command before the Save, but Revert also asks for permission. (Yes, the Action is being run without the dialog option enabled.)

Is there a way for an Action to close a file without saving or asking permission? Having to grant permission for each file, from a folder that might contain hundreds of files, defeats some of the convenience of a Batched Action.

Thanks in advance,

Allen

[CarlosCanto · Accepted solution]

there's a flag that tells the application the document needs saving. We can turn that flag off with this script

// turn edited flag off
activeDocument.saved = true;

- place the script in the scripts folder

- restart illustrator

- record an action to run the script

- insert the action right before closing the document in you existing action set

- batch as usual

let me know if it works for you.

thanks

Carlos

[Allen Cobb]

Worked like a charm.

Thanks!

[Yluk]

Hi Carlos,

I followed your instruction and the image attached was the result of my first batched file. What am I doing wrong?

[Evan5C9D]

Hi Carlos,

I copy and pasted the command into TextEdit and saved as rich text and converted to JSX.

When I try to run this script, I get a syntax error. Could you help me out with this? 


I am trying to run a batch export of AI to PNG but when I do, it starts saving the AI file with the PNG file in the specified folder. 

[CarlosCanto]

Hi Carlos,

I copy and pasted the command into TextEdit and saved as rich text and converted to JSX.

By @Evan5C9D

you need to save the jsx file as Plain Text, not Rich Text

[PrepressPro1]

I tried this with a simple export .jpg action and then while recording the action hit Command+W to record the Close action. Stopped recording of the action and ran the action. This worked for me. Make sure to try Button Mode and asigning key commands to actions. 

[Allen Cobb]

Thanks, PrepressPro1 -- I'll try that. Maybe Cmd/Ctrl-W works differently than using File | Close in the menu.

Allen

[Allen Cobb]

Didn't work for me. Even if I record the action and use Ctrl-W to close the file, selecting "don't save" from the save dialog, the dialog appears whenever the action runs. Perhaps it behaves differently on Windows, and/or with .ai files.

[Allen Cobb]

Thanks, Carlos. I'll try that and report back.

Cheers, and stay safe,

Allen