Illustrator scripting with datasets & variables

[_markr34_]

I have a .ai file with 3 datasets containing 2 variables each. I am new to adobe scripting and am trying to write a script that will loop through the 3 datasets, swap out the variables, and save as 3 different .pdf files. I can loop and export, but don't know how to access the variables.

Here is a snipped from what I have:

for (var i=0; i< docRef.dataSets.length; i++){

var ds1 = docRef.dataSets.getByName('ABC'); // ABC is a client name, but numeric index is required
//var ds1 = docRef.dataSets.index(1); // this doesn't seem to work, but i need it to
docRef.activeDataset = ds1;

// I need to access the dataset variables here, where ClientName is a variable name within the dataset
client_name = ?????;

ds1.display();
app.redraw();

// ----- save changes
filepath = '/Users/me/Documents/clients/'+client_name+'.pdf';
saveInFile = new File( filepath );
pdfSaveOpts = getPDFOptions( );
docRef.saveAs( saveInFile, pdfSaveOpts );
}

Thanks for any help

[JETalmage]

Are you aware that you can do that with an Action in Batch mode, and avoid resorting to scripting?

JET

[moniuch]

markr34,

I have never done any dataset scripting, but my eyes tell me that at this line:

//var ds1 = docRef.dataSets.index(1); // this doesn't seem to work, but i need it to

you'd probably want to use square brackets [1] rather than parentheses to refer to array by index.

HTH