How to get the current page index of a pdf/ai placed as a PlacedItem via ExtendScript

[sttk3]

A pdf/ai can have multiple pages, and when placing it, the user specifies the target page (if not specified, it defaults to 1).

So, is there a way to determine the page of a pdf/ai file that has already been placed as a PlacedItem within a document?

I know there is no direct property to express this. In other words, I am looking for either a workaround method like embedding it first and then examining the PageItem structure, or an unexpected method that elegantly solves this problem.

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• Get and set artboard of placed item

[m1b]

Hi @sttk3 sadly I don't know of any way to do this, so I will be watching this question.

I can imagine a very hacky approach that might work in most cases. The script would:

1. export the placed image as svg (with a known position and matrix).

2. place each page of the pdf (give it the same position and matrix) and export as svg.

3. compare 1 with 2 until you find a match (I'm hoping there might be a good place to look for a match, rather than byte-by-byte).

I'm sorry for how terrible that is, but it's all I can think of. I will wait to see if anyone has any good ideas.

- Mark

[sttk3]

Thank you for your idea. At the moment, the only method I can think of is the messy one that we have suggested. I wish there were a simpler way.

[CarlosCanto · Accepted solution]

Here you go, select your placed pdf before running

// Elegant solution to get selected linked PDF item's page number
selection[0].relink(selection[0].file);
var currentPage = app.preferences.getIntegerPreference ("plugin/PDFImport/PageNumber");
alert("Current page number: " + currentPage);

[m1b]

Carlos you absolute LEGEND!!  😄

[CarlosCanto]

😁

[sttk3]

Wonderful! You are now at the forefront of humanity!

[CarlosCanto]

Wonderful! You are now at the forefront of humanity!

By @sttk3

that's a bit much Lol

but thanks for the nomination 😂

[m1b]

By the way, Carlos, I have a script I use a lot—it justs switches pages of placed .ai files. Now with your method to get the page number, I've made that script work better (no need to type in the page I wanted). FYI I've just put the script here.

- Mark

[CarlosCanto]

wow nice application of the concept!! I like simple, effective scripts

[sttk3]

There was an object that was more accessible in the script for getting the current page number.

var currentPage = app.preferences.PDFFileOptions.pageToOpen ;