Retain layer names when outlining text

[openbracket]

I would like to know if there is a way to retain the names of text objects/layers when the text is converted to outlines, using scripting.

I create files with dozens of text layers (player names on the back of sports jerseys) and have to send the .ai file to the manufacturers. This means that I have to outline the text, but when I do so, the layers all lose their names and all become "<Group>".

Can anyone think of a way to name these layers with the text they contain?

[pixxxelschubser · Accepted solution]

Hi openbracket​,

it's impossible, if the text is outlined.

But it is possible for text and outline the text through script (be sure that the selected text is only filled and without stroke and/or effects)

You can try something like this:

// required: an opened document with one selected text frame
var aDoc = app.activeDocument;
var aSel = aDoc.selection;
if (aSel[0].typename =="TextFrame") {
    if (aSel[0].characters.length < 40) {
    var newName = aSel[0].contents;
    } else {
    newName = aSel[0].contents.substr(0, 39);
    }
aSel[0].createOutline();
aSel = aDoc.selection;
// name of the new Group = contents or part of contents of selected text frame
aSel[0].name = newName;
}

Have fun

[openbracket]

Wow, thanks for that pixxxel schubser​. I think I can tell what's going on in there. I'll give it a go!

[openbracket]

Thank you so much for your code! It got me started on the route to a solution:

var doc = app.activeDocument;  // the document with only the items you want to outline
doc.selectObjectsOnActiveArtboard( ); // select all items on the artboard
for (var i = 0; i < app.selection.length; i++) { // loop through all selected items
    if (app.selection.characters.length < 40) { // if the name is less than 40 char
        var newName = app.selection.contents; // name it with the contents
    } else {  
        newName = app.selection.contents.substr(0, 39);  // otherwise name it with the first 40 char of the contents
    }  
    app.selection.createOutline();  // then create outlines from the text
    app.selection.name = newName;  //  name the layer with the text we saved
}

This code selects all the items, then loops through them. At present I will create a file with ONLY the text objects I want to outline, then paste them back into the main document, but at some stage I may adapt the code to outline the text on a specific layer of my main file.

Thanks again!

openbracket

[RobertNg]

Hi @pixxxelschubser When creating a text from Illustrator. It will be creating a new layer with same name as the text. But whenever we change the text content then layer name changed accordingly. Can we keep layer name when changing the text content?