Error 21 (Changing color on text)

Report · Aug 13, 2013

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5580527#5580527

Carlos wrote a script in response to the above thread. It changes CMYK black, and grayscale black to a swatch called "spot black". It's awesome, but it's only aimed at paths. I've made some adjustments to prevent it from effecting white and unpainted objects. I'm going to need it to work on text and gradients. Right now I am working on text.

I've tried to use the same logic that works on the paths on text, but I'm missing something. Help help.

This is the latest working version, it does not effect text or gradients.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to an EXISTING Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//            Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s) & ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) processed');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}

This is the version I'm working on now where I'm trying to include the text.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to an EXISTING Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//            Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var ch = idoc.textFrames[0].characters[0];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
for (t=0; t<ch.length; t++) {
    var txt = ch;
    if (txt.layer.visible==true && txt.layer.locked==false && txt.hidden==false && txt.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = txt.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (txt, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (txt, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = txt.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (txt, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (txt, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s) & ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) processed');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}

Here is a test file

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzEoJSYDhH_WdENjc092SF9GN0U/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks for playing.

Report · Aug 13, 2013

I doubt you are going to be able to utilize the same syntax for your differing items… Anyhows…

var pi = idoc.pathItems; // Carlos sets variable to a collection…

var ch = idoc.textFrames[0].characters[0]; // Here your variable is to a single character… I doubt this can be tested for locked or hidden…

var ch = idoc.textFrames; // Will give you something to loop thru but you will need to dig deeper still as every character can be different…

Personally I would go for stories when looking thru text…

Report · Aug 13, 2013

So...

var ch = idoc.stories[0].textRanges[0].CharacterAttributes;

I'm looking in "Adobe IllustratorCS5 Scripting Reference: JavaScript" on page 226 (textRange) and I'm not seeing locked, hidden, or layers as textRange properties. So I'm guessing I can't test for them for stories either.

My scripting powers mostly consist of looking at an example, deciphering it, and applying what I need to make it work in my instance. Where could I go to find an example of a script that changes the fill and stroke of cmyk and grayscale text that isn't locked or hidden?

I'm pretty ignorant at all of this, so please bear with me.

P.S. If I didn't care if locked or hidden text was changed could I use idoc.textFrames[0].characters[0]; ?

Report · Aug 14, 2013

if you don't care checking for Locked or Hidden, then you can skip that, only you'll get an error if a text frame is locked or hidden.

in short you need to loop through all text frames and within each, you have to loop through all characters, once you are at the character level, you can get its characterAttributes property and finally check for fillColor/strokeColor

if you do want to check for lock/hidden then you do that at the textFrame level

...note that textFrames don't have "layer" property...so, it complicates things, to determine if the layer it belongs to is locked or hidden, you have to check its parent...problem is, it can have parent, grand parent, great grand parent...

Report · Aug 16, 2013

The good news is I'm testing for the "spot black" swatch, and creating it if necessary now. So that's good. The other good news is that this script doesn't throw any errors. The bad news is that it doesn't do a darn thing to the text. Please tell me why I'm wrong. (I only wrote far enough to effect the fills of cmyk black in order to test.)

My theory was that if I couldn't test the text for locked layers, I would test the layers for being locked and then test for text to change.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var la = idoc.layers;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
//apply spot to paths
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
    
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
//check through layers for text
for (l=0; l<la.length; l++){
    var lyr=la;
    if (lyr.visible==true && lyr.locked==false && lyr.hidden==false) {
        var lyrtxt = lyr.textFrames; {
        for (lt=0; lt<lyrtxt.length; lt++)
            if (lyrtxt.visible==true && lyrtxt.locked==false && lyrtxt.hidden==false) {
            var chars=lyrtxt.characters;
            for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
                if (chars.characterAttributes.fillColor == "CMYKColor"){
                    if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                        var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                        cmykBlackToSpot (chars, true, false, fillk);
                        fcounter++;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s) & ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) processed');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (var i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}

Report · Aug 16, 2013

http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/devnet/pdf/illustrator/scripting/CC/Il...

Page 20 has this diagram

Does this mean my method won't work because app.activeDocument.layers does not contain the text frames?

Report · Aug 16, 2013

This is another way to do it wrong. Again, I am getting no errors out of this code, just text that is unchanged.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var tf = idoc.textFrames;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
for (t=0; t<tf.length; t++)
    var itxt = tf;
    if (itxt.visible==true && itxt.locked==false && itxt.hidden==false) {
    var chars = itxt.contents.characters;
    for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
        var iChar = chars;
        if (iChar.characterAttributes.fillColor == "CMYKColor"){
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (iChar, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
//apply spot to paths
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
    
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s) & ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) processed');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}
redraw();

Report · Aug 16, 2013

Hi, I don't have a chance to try your code at the moment but

change this

var chars = itxt.contents.characters;

to this

var chars = itxt.characters;

Report · Aug 16, 2013

the change above is for the script in post # 6.

Report · Aug 16, 2013

Alright. I'm about to clock out for the weekend. I used a series of alerts to see how far through the script I was making it, deleting them as I progressed. As it stands I am down to an individual character will a fillColor.typename of CMYKColor. The alert tells me that the mix is 0.0.0.0 (which is odd because it should be 0.0.0.100) and then it fails on my isTextBlack function var c. The reason I am using that new function instead of the isColorBlack function is that it was failing on var c, and I knew that function was good because it had worked earlier with the pathItems.

I am pretty sure this isn't working out because I don't understand the "textRange" thing, how it works how to call it etc.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/3623326#3623326 <- this discussion shows an example of it but I haven't been able to decipher it.

My theory is that isColorBlack would still work if I was using the textRange instead of the ichar.

Here is the script as it stands.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var tf = idoc.textFrames;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
for (t=0; t<tf.length; t++) {
    var itxt = tf;
    if (itxt.hidden==false && itxt.locked==false && itxt.hidden==false) {
        var chars = itxt.characters;
        for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
            var iChar = chars;
            if (iChar.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                alert (CMYKColor.cyan +" "+ CMYKColor.magenta +" "+ CMYKColor.yellow +" "+ CMYKColor.black);
                if (isTextBlack (fillColor)) {
                    var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                    cmykBlackToSpot (iChar, true, false, fillk);
                    alert ("I win");
                    fcounter++;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
//apply spot to paths
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s) & ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) processed');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isTextBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k !=0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k !=0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}
redraw();

I'm also curious why the if/else in doesColorExist uses a different syntax then in isColorBlack. I tried to make them both like isColorBlack and it said my use of "else" was illegal.

As always, thanks so much for any advice.

Report · Aug 20, 2013

Update:

I got changing the color of gradient stops figured out. Still working on text.

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
var gcounter = 0;
//apply spot to paths
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.fillColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.strokeColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s), ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) & ' + gcounter + ' Gradient Stop(s) processed.');
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (var i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}

Report · Aug 20, 2013

in your script in post # 9, the problem with the text color is that you're not defining the actual character fill color the way we're doing it with the paths

change this

var iChar = chars;
if (iChar.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
     if (isTextBlack (fillColor)) { // *** fillColor is undefined *** or defined with who knows what from previous character

to

var iChar = chars;
var fillColor = iChar.characterAttributes.fillColor;
if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
     if (isTextBlack (fillColor)) {

Report · Aug 20, 2013

I had come to a similar conclusion. I have found a way to avoid locked text, and locked layers also. I have added this to the code in post 10;

var la = idoc.layers;
//check through layers for text and change
for (l=0; l<la.length; l++){
    var lyr=la;
    if (lyr.visible==true && lyr.locked==false) {
        var lyrtxt = lyr.textFrames; {
        for (lt=0; lt<lyrtxt.length; lt++)
            var iTxtFrm = lyrtxt[lt];
            if (iTxtFrm.locked==false && iTxtFrm.hidden==false) {
            var chars = iTxtFrm.characters;
            for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
                var ltr = chars;
                if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
                    if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                        var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.black);
                        cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                        fcounter++;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

It works great, but only on one text frame per layer.

Report · Aug 20, 2013

It works great, but only on one text frame per layer.

looping through objects at a layer level, constrains the search to only top level objects, so if your text frames are grouped, they will be ignored.

looping through objects at the document level, searches top level objects (like groups) in addition to what's inside such objects (your text if that was the case)

Report · Aug 20, 2013

So I have no choice but to check for parents?

I was hoping to go from the top down instead of looking up through the clutter. Dang.

Thanks for the insight.

Report · Aug 20, 2013

at the level layer, you won't even get the chance to get to the text, much less to the parent.

at the document level, yes, no choice but to traverse the parent, grand parent, etc depending how deep the groups are...there's a technique called "recursion" that tackles that.

Report · Aug 22, 2013

I am really REALLY close to my final goal. I have a function that goes up a layer tree checking for locked layers. I have a function that goes up a group tree checking for locked groups and then passing to the layer function. I wrote a function that determines which one to start with, but evidently, you can't use a variable to call a function.

How can I tell it to choose the proper start function? It has to be a "if" statement otherwise it just changes all the text regardless of if it has a locked or hidden parent.

Here is the entire script as it stands. Issues are between lines 105 & 159

// script.name = cmykBlackNgrayscaleToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0 && http://forums.adobe.com/message/5610447#5610447
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var tf = idoc.textFrames;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
var gcounter = 0;
//apply spot to paths and gradient stops
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.fillColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.strokeColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
for (t=0; t<tf.length; t++) {
    var iTxtFrm = tf;
    if (iTxtFrm.locked==false && iTxtFrm.hidden==false) {
        var doThisOne = meetTheParents(iTxtFrm);
        alert(doThisOne);
        if (doThisOne(iTxtFrm)){
            var chars = iTxtFrm.characters;
            for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
                var ltr = chars;
                if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
                    if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                        var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.black);
                        cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                        fcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s), ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) & ' + gcounter + ' Gradient Stop(s) processed.');
function meetTheParents(textFrame){
    if (textFrame.parent.typename = "Layer"){
        return "isLayerFree"
    } else if (textFrame.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
        return "isGroupFree"
    } else (alert("I don't think this is supposed to happen. Ever. Something has exploded."));
}
function isGroupFree(groupItem){
    if (groupItem.parent.hidden==false && groupItem.parent.editable==true){
        if (groupItem.parent.typename == "Layer"){
            var greatgpa = groupItem.parent;
            isLayerFree(greatgpa);
        }else if (groupItem.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
            var gpa = groupItem.parent;
            if (isGroupFree(gpa));
            return true
            } else {
            return false
        }
    }
}
function isLayerFree(layer){
    if (layer.locked == false && layer.visible == true){
        var gpa = layer.parent;
        isLayerFree(gpa);
        return true
        } else {
        return false
    }
}
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (var i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}
function isLayerFree(layer){
    if (layer.locked == false && layer.visible == true){
        var gpa = layer.parent;
        isLayerFree(gpa);
        return true
        } else {
        return false
    }
}

As always, thank you for your time.

Report · Aug 22, 2013

it just dawned on me, even though the "layer" property is not listed in the text frame properties, a text frame is still a subset of the "super class" pageItem...so

for page items we have

if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {

for text, do the same

if (iTxtFrm.layer.visible==true && iTxtFrm.layer.locked==false && iTxtFrm.hidden==false && iTxtFrm.locked==false) {

and forget about meeting the parents

Report · Aug 23, 2013

Carlos, you are right about that. I had a logic knot that was preventing it from working on text in groups AND directly on layers at the same time. I ended up using a version that didn't use your fix, even though it was viable.

Here is my final script. Works like a charm. Thanks for all the help.

// script.name = BlackToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0 && http://forums.adobe.com/message/5610447#5610447
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var tf = idoc.textFrames;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
var gcounter = 0;
//apply spot to paths and gradient stops
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.layer.visible==true && ipath.layer.locked==false && ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        var fillColor = ipath.fillColor;
        if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (fillColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.fillColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        var strokeColor = ipath.strokeColor;
        if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
            if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ipath, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        else if (strokeColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
            var stops = ipath.strokeColor.gradient.gradientStops;
            for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
                var iStop = stops;
                var stopColor = iStop.color;
                if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                    if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
                if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                    if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                        var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                        iStop.color = sw.color;
                        iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                        gcounter++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
// choose text and change
for (t=0; t<tf.length; t++) {
    var iTxtFrm = tf;
    if (iTxtFrm.locked==false && iTxtFrm.hidden==false) {
        if (meetTheParents(iTxtFrm) == "isLayerFree"){
            if (isLayerFree(iTxtFrm.parent)){
                changeText(iTxtFrm)
            } else {
                if (isGroupFree(iTxtFrm)){
                changeText(iTxtFrm)
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s), ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) & ' + gcounter + ' Gradient Stop(s) processed.');
function meetTheParents(textFrame){
    if (textFrame.parent.typename = "Layer"){
        return "isLayerFree";
    } else if (textFrame.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
        return "isGroupFree";
    } 
}
function isGroupFree(groupItem){
    if (groupItem.parent.hidden==false && groupItem.parent.editable==true){
        if (groupItem.parent.typename == "Layer"){
            var greatgpa = groupItem.parent;
            isLayerFree(greatgpa);
        }else if (groupItem.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
            var gpa = groupItem.parent;
            if (isGroupFree(gpa));
            return true
            } else {
            return false
        }
    }
}
function isLayerFree(layer){
    if (layer.locked == false && layer.visible == true){
        var gpa = layer.parent;
        isLayerFree(gpa);
        return true
        } else {
        return false
    }
}
// actually changes text
function changeText(textFrame){
    var chars = textFrame.characters;
    for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
        var ltr = chars;
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
            if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "GrayColor"){
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
            if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor"){
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
};
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (var i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}

Report · Aug 23, 2013

great, thanks for posting the final working version

Report · Aug 23, 2013

Again Carlos, I can't thank you enough for getting me started with the original script and pointing me in the right direction as I expanded it.

Report · Aug 23, 2013

you're welcome, I could have done the text handling for you, but it seemed like you wanted to learn and do it yourself, and it worked out fine, good job. it was more fun too, right?

Report · Aug 23, 2013

I'm really enjoying it.

I've noticed the script was changing unlocked PathItems in locked groups. This edit fixes that. Also, this discussion has a script that goes from a spot color to grayscale http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1283327

// script.name = BlackToSpotBlack.jsx; 
// script.description = changes art color from standard CMYK Black and Grayscale tones to a Spot swatch named "spot black";
// script.requirements = an opened document;
// script.parent = CarlosCanto // 08/08/13;
// script.elegant = false;
// reference http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1267562?tstart=0 && http://forums.adobe.com/message/5610447#5610447
// Note: color values get rounded to the nearest integer, to avoid values like black = 99.99999999999999
//              Hidden and/or Locked Objects will be ignored, as well as objects in Hidden and/or Locked Layers
#target Illustrator
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var pi = idoc.pathItems;
var tf = idoc.textFrames;
createSpotBlack();
var sw = idoc.swatches["spot black"];
var fcounter = 0;
var scounter = 0;
var gcounter = 0;
//apply spot to paths and gradient stops
for (j=0; j<pi.length; j++) {
    var ipath = pi;
    if (ipath.hidden==false && ipath.locked==false) {
        if (meetTheParents(ipath) == "isLayerFree"){
            if (isLayerFree(ipath.parent)){
                changePath(ipath)
            } else {
                if (isGroupFree(ipath)){
                    changePath(ipath)
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
// choose text and change
for (t=0; t<tf.length; t++) {
    var iTxtFrm = tf;
    if (iTxtFrm.locked==false && iTxtFrm.hidden==false) {
        if (meetTheParents(iTxtFrm) == "isLayerFree"){
            if (isLayerFree(iTxtFrm.parent)){
                changeText(iTxtFrm)
            } else {
                if (isGroupFree(iTxtFrm)){
                    changeText(iTxtFrm)
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
alert(fcounter + ' Fill(s), ' + scounter + ' stroke(s) & ' + gcounter + ' Gradient Stop(s) processed.');
function meetTheParents(PageItem){
    if (PageItem.parent.typename = "Layer"){
        return "isLayerFree";
    } else if (PageItem.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
        return "isGroupFree";
    } 
}
function isGroupFree(groupItem){
    if (groupItem.parent.hidden==false && groupItem.parent.editable==true){
        if (groupItem.parent.typename == "Layer"){
            var greatgpa = groupItem.parent;
            isLayerFree(greatgpa);
        }else if (groupItem.parent.typename = "GroupItem"){
            var gpa = groupItem.parent;
            if (isGroupFree(gpa));
            return true
            } else {
            return false
        }
    }
}
function isLayerFree(layer){
    if (layer.locked == false && layer.visible == true){
        var gpa = layer.parent;
        isLayerFree(gpa);
        return true
        } else {
        return false
    }
}
// actually changes paths
function changePath(PathItem) {
    var fillColor = PathItem.fillColor;
    if (fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
        if (isColorBlack (fillColor)) {
            var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.black);
            cmykBlackToSpot (PathItem, true, false, fillk);
            fcounter++;
        }
    }
    else if (fillColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
        if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (fillColor)) {
            var fillk = Math.round(fillColor.gray);
            cmykBlackToSpot (PathItem, true, false, fillk);
            fcounter++;
        }
    }
    else if (fillColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
        var stops = PathItem.fillColor.gradient.gradientStops;
        for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
            var iStop = stops;
            var stopColor = iStop.color;
            if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                    var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                    iStop.color = sw.color;
                    iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                    gcounter++;
                }
            }
            if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                    var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                    iStop.color = sw.color;
                    iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                    gcounter++;
                }
            }
        }
    }
    var strokeColor = PathItem.strokeColor;
    if (strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
        if (isColorBlack (strokeColor)) {
            var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.black);
            cmykBlackToSpot (PathItem, false, true, strokek);
            scounter++;
        }
    }
    else if (strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
        if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (strokeColor)) {
            var strokek = Math.round(strokeColor.gray);
            cmykBlackToSpot (PathItem, false, true, strokek);
            scounter++;
        }
    }
    else if (strokeColor.typename == "GradientColor") {
        var stops = PathItem.strokeColor.gradient.gradientStops;
        for (s=0; s<stops.length; s++) {
            var iStop = stops;
            var stopColor = iStop.color;
            if (stopColor.typename == "CMYKColor") {
                if (isColorBlack (stopColor)) {
                    var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.black);
                    iStop.color = sw.color;
                    iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                    gcounter++;
                }
            }
            if (stopColor.typename == "GrayColor") {
                if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (stopColor)) {
                    var stopk = Math.round(stopColor.gray);
                    iStop.color = sw.color;
                    iStop.color.tint = stopk;
                    gcounter++;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
// actually changes text
function changeText(textFrame){
    var chars = textFrame.characters;
    for (c=0; c<chars.length; c++) {
        var ltr = chars;
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
            if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.typename == "GrayColor"){
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor)) {
                var fillk = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.fillColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, true, false, fillk);
                fcounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.typename == "CMYKColor"){
            if (isColorBlack (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.black);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
        if (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.typename == "GrayColor"){
            if (grayNotWhiteOrClear (ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor)) {
                var strokek = Math.round(ltr.characterAttributes.strokeColor.gray);
                cmykBlackToSpot (ltr, false, true, strokek);
                scounter++;
            }
        }
    }
};
function cmykBlackToSpot (path, fill, stroke, k) {
    if (fill) {
        path.fillColor = sw.color;
        path.fillColor.tint = k;
    }
    if (stroke) {
        path.strokeColor = sw.color;
        path.strokeColor.tint = k;
    }
}
function isColorBlack (cmykColor) {
    var c = Math.round(cmykColor.cyan);
    var m = Math.round(cmykColor.magenta);
    var y = Math.round(cmykColor.yellow);
    var k = Math.round(cmykColor.black);
    if (c==0 && m==0 && y==0 && k != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function grayNotWhiteOrClear (GrayColor) {
    var pct = Math.round(GrayColor.gray);
    if (pct != 0)
        return true
    else
        return false
}
function createSpotBlack(){
    if (!doesColorExist("spot black")){
        // Create CMYKColor
        var cmykColor = new CMYKColor();
        cmykColor.cyan = 9;
        cmykColor.magenta = 9;
        cmykColor.yellow = 9;
        cmykColor.black = 96;
        // Create Spot
        var spot = idoc.spots.add();
        spot.color = cmykColor;
        spot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        spot.name = "spot black";
    }
}
function doesColorExist(){
    var clrs = idoc.swatches;
    for (var i=0;i<clrs.length;i++){
        if (clrs.name=="spot black"){
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}

Message was edited by: elDudereno

Report · Jan 10, 2014

Hi, I can't get this script to work. When I run it, nothing happens.

Report · Jan 13, 2014

Use the script from post 22.

If this script is run on an illustrator document with CMYK or Greyscale black or grey it will change to a spot black. Text and paths will be changed. At the very least this script should create the spot black swatch.

Error 21 (Changing color on text)

This is the version I'm working on now where I'm trying to include the text.

1 Correct answer

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