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Chamodhie_Gamage6549
Participant
July 9, 2025
Answered

Convert Adobe Illustrator PDF to JSONL for Scripted Modifications and Back to PDF

  • July 9, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 193 views

Hi everyone,
I'm exploring a workflow where I want to:
1. Convert an Adobe Illustrator design (saved as PDF) into a .jsonl format
2. Modify the design automatically by editing the .jsonl file through a script
3. Convert the updated .jsonl back into a PDF or Illustrator design

Is this kind of round-trip automation possible with Illustrator, maybe through an extension or script?

Also, do we have any method to automatically apply changes to Illustrator designs (e.g., position, size, colors) using an external script or data file?

Any guidance, suggestions, or examples would be really helpful.

Thank you!

Correct answer creative explorer

@Chamodhie_Gamage6549 personally, and maybe I am wrong, but, I don't think you can directly convert an Adobe Illustrator design (or a PDF of it) into a simple .jsonl file that perfectly describes every visual detail, then easily convert that jsonl back into an editable design. The internal structure of Illustrator files is very complex and proprietary, not a straightforward text-based format like JSON. However, you likely can automatically apply changes to Illustrator designs using an external script that reads data, including JSON, and then manipulates objects (like their position, size, and colors) within an open Illustrator document. This is achieved using ExtendScript (JavaScript), Adobe's built-in scripting language. You would write a script that opens your Illustrator file, reads specific data from an external .jsonl or .json file, and then uses that data to move, resize, recolor, or even create elements within your design.

1 reply

creative explorer
Community Expert
creative explorerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 9, 2025

@Chamodhie_Gamage6549 personally, and maybe I am wrong, but, I don't think you can directly convert an Adobe Illustrator design (or a PDF of it) into a simple .jsonl file that perfectly describes every visual detail, then easily convert that jsonl back into an editable design. The internal structure of Illustrator files is very complex and proprietary, not a straightforward text-based format like JSON. However, you likely can automatically apply changes to Illustrator designs using an external script that reads data, including JSON, and then manipulates objects (like their position, size, and colors) within an open Illustrator document. This is achieved using ExtendScript (JavaScript), Adobe's built-in scripting language. You would write a script that opens your Illustrator file, reads specific data from an external .jsonl or .json file, and then uses that data to move, resize, recolor, or even create elements within your design.

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