Make new document with an Illustrator Extension

[Trevor:]

Hi

When I try to create a new document from an HTML extension by calling a jsx script the script freezes until Illustrator is put into focus (for example by clicking it)

Only after focus returns to Illustrator will the script continue, in the meantime the Illustrator icon will jump around like a nutter.

I have not tired this out on windows only mac.

To get around this I get main.js to exec 3 oascript comands

1) to create the document: oascript -e 'tell application "Adobe Illustrator" to make new document'

2) focus on Illustrator: oascript -e 'activate application "Adobe Illustrator"'

3) run the jsx: oascript 'do javascript  "path/to/my/script.jsx"'

This works but there are some obvious drawbacks.

Has anyone managed to create via an extension a new document and have the script work on it without the need for focusing on Illustrator without the use of oascript?

If so how?

Interestingly enough, if one runs from the applescript editor

tell application "Adobe Illustrator" to make new document

it will work fine. but if one runs from terminal

oascript -e 'tell application "Adobe Illustrator" to make new document'

it freezes Illustrator and causes the Icon to jump like a nutter until refocus.

Regards

Trevor

[Silly-V · Accepted solution]

What if you try first, the BridgeTalk.bringToFront() method trick?

[Trevor:]

Thanks, I'll give that a go tomorrow.

Where would I put it? straight after doc = app.documents.add(); ?

[Ten A]

Why don't you use evalScript method in main.js?

[Trevor:]

Hi Ten

I had used the evalScript method and it causes the freeze described above.

If i first create the document with the oascript and then use evalScript then I run into problems of the evalScript being applied before the documents made.

Silly-v's suggestion sounds good, I'll try it out later today. I think I need to put BridgeTalk.bringToFront() before creating the doc. If I use this method then I would be able to use the evalScript which is what I'm after.

Thanks

Trevor

[Ten A]

Hi Trevor,

CEP Javascript is non blocking. If you separate scripting document creation and call Extendscript methods. You need to waiting finished document creation.

Here is an POC

//CEP
var csi = new CSInterface();
csi.evalScript("makeDoc();", function(f){ //callback function can wait Extendscript callback.
  if (f=="1") evalScript("alert(app.activeDocument.name)");
})
//Extendscript
function makeDoc(){
  var doc = app.documents.add();
  if (doc) return "1";
  else return "0";
  }

or You can use the PlugPlugExternalObjects events (to make custom event and dispatch it after document creation).

[Trevor:]

Thanks to both of you,

Ten I had tried the call back methods but they were problematic for me.

The BridgeTalk.bringToFront(); works pefectly

app.documents.add().pathItems.add().setEntirePath([[50,50],[400,500],[200,100]]);

Freeze - Bounce

BridgeTalk.bringToFront();
app.documents.add().pathItems.add().setEntirePath([[50,50],[400,500],[200,100]]);

No Freeze - No bounce

Thanks again

Trevor