Get sub items from pluginItem [pathfinder object]

[schroef]

I'm looking for script or code to loop through a pluginItem. The item is being generated when you use 2 paths or compound shapes and then use subtract while holding alt in the Pathfinder options. Second icon on the top left in the panel. This items is sort of a live boolean, we can still move the paths.

If I try to use selection.length to t returns 1. I can't seem to fine code how to access the children items or sub items

[m1b]

Hi @schroef, unfortunately I think the answer is that Illustrator's scripting API does not give us access to path items of a pathfinder PluginItem. I wondered if there was an "executeMenuCommand" to release the pathfinder but I couldn't find that either. I hope someone else has better news for you.

- Mark

[schroef]

I've been looks jg at some threads but also have not find anything usefull. The issue is that a pluginItem can be different things. So I'm not sure how I can get access to some props telling ng more about the pluginItem object. The scripts ng reference doesn't show much about a pluginItem. 

Perhaps I should try to group and then expand it. Then check if the items are either pathItem or compundPathItem. Then I can continue with the script to check for its area.

Though this will destroy the original object. So I guess I need to duplicate it first and then run the script on that duplicate.

Other issue will be that a live traced object, I believe, will also return type ame as pluginItem. So that object will/can cause se issues.

My script needs to get the area of a shape. That's what I'm looking for. Perhaps I just need to test .area on that pluginItem. Now thinking about it, I haven't actually tried thay yet

[sttk3]

It may help to know that compound shape can be released with an action, and that it can be retrieved with a selection when only its contents are selected.

[m1b]

Nice! I always forget about actions. 

[schroef]

True, i guess, but in my case i need the area if this object. I think my solution for now is to duplicate it, then applyStyle and then check if its pathItem or compoundPathItem and then see if i can get the area.

Im expanding a nice script from  Bryan Buchanan; https://gist.github.com/bryanbuchanan/11387501

Ive already added an interface and some more options. I just wanted to try if i can add more objects which it can handle

preview of UIexample of output