Rename group, added with app.executeMenuCommand("group" )

[siomosp]

Hi!

any ideas how the group, added with app.executeMenuCommand("group"),

can be renamed immediately after creation?

[m1b · Accepted solution]

Hi @siomosp, since you are scripting, would you consider doing the scripting way? Here is a "group" function that groups items and returns the GroupItem so you can do further things with it, such as giving it a name.

- Mark

P.S. if you really need to use the app.executeMenuComment("group"), there is a way, but it isn't as neat.

/*

    Group
    Simple convenience function for Illustrator
 
    by m1b

    Example usage:
    var grp = group(app.activeDocument.selection);

*/

var newGroup = group(app.activeDocument.selection);
newGroup.name = 'My Best Group Ever';

function group(items, makeDuplicatesOfItems, whereToGroup) {
    if (items == undefined || items.length == 0) {
        return false;
    }
    var group = makeGroup();
    if (whereToGroup == undefined) {
        // behave like manual group
        group.move(items[0], ElementPlacement.PLACEBEFORE);
    } else {
        // put the grouped items "into" the new location
        group.move(whereToGroup, ElementPlacement.PLACEATBEGINNING);
    }
    for (var i = items.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
        if (makeDuplicatesOfItems) {
            items[i].duplicate(group, ElementPlacement.PLACEATBEGINNING);
        } else {
            items[i].move(group, ElementPlacement.PLACEATBEGINNING);
        }
    }
    return group;
}


function makeGroup(name) {
    var newGroup;
    try {
        newGroup = app.activeDocument.pageItems.getByName(name);
    } catch (e) {
        newGroup = app.activeDocument.activeLayer.groupItems.add();
        if (name != undefined) newGroup.name = name;
    }
    return newGroup;
}

[siomosp]

Hi @m1b,

it is what i need, thank you!

Please tell me how to hide this group 

[m1b]

To hide the group, just add this line after newGroup.name = 'My Best Group Ever':

newGroup.hidden = true;

[pixxxelschubser · Accepted solution]

Although the question has already been answered by @m1b very well, I would like to briefly add the direct answer to the original question. One possible way would be:

app.executeMenuCommand("group");
app.activeDocument.selection[0].name = "My new group name";

[siomosp]

So simple!
Thank you!