Script: Make rectangle based on size of object on layer

[Aidan_C]

Hello beautiful minds,
Would anyone happen to know how to make the following work in a script, if its possible:

Create a rectangle, based on the height(100%) of a text box, and the width(90%) of the same textbox.
Then have it go to page center.

Thanks for any help, let me know if you have any questions.

[Sergey Osokin]

Hi. It would make more sense to the community if you could show before and after pictures.

[Aidan_C]

So I would like to be able to run a script, that automatically creates the red rectangle you see behind the text.
Its the same height as the text, but slightly smaller width - possibly 90% ish

[Sergey Osokin · Accepted solution]

Change the percentage (decimal) in the "ratio".

(function (){
  if (!documents.length) return;
  if (!selection.length || selection[0].typename !== 'TextFrame') return;
  var ratio = 0.9 // Width scale
  var tf = selection[0];
  var color = new RGBColor();
  color.red = 255;
  color.green = 0;
  color.blue = 0;

  var dup = tf.duplicate().createOutline();
  var bnds = dup.geometricBounds;
  dup.remove();
  var w = Math.abs(bnds[2] - bnds[0]);
  var h = Math.abs(bnds[3] - bnds[1]);
  var top = bnds[1];
  var left = bnds[0] + w * 0.5 * (1 - ratio);

  var rect = tf.layer.pathItems.rectangle(top, left, w * ratio, h);
  rect.fillColor = color;
  rect.stroked = false;
  rect.move(tf, ElementPlacement.PLACEAFTER);
})();

 

[Aidan_C]

Amazing, thank you so much - ill try this out soon thank you!!!

[Aidan_C]

Perfect, tested and its working beautifully thanks!

[Sergey Osokin]

I will publish an improved version of the script in the future. I already have a few ideas.

[Sergey Osokin]

From the small initial script in this thread, I created "HighlightText" — the paid script ($6) for adding highlighting strokes based on text lines: https://sergosokin.gumroad.com/l/hgltext

Features:

- Use % or an absolute value for width and height of strokes. Units: px, pt, in, mm, cm, m, ft, yd

- Type 'fit' (no quotes) to use the full width of the area

- Choose x-height, Cap Height or custom letter to define the relative height

- Set the individual alignment of strokes relative to text lines with the anchor point selector

- Set the distance to move strokes in the vertical direction with Y Offset

- Edit numeric values faster with arrow keys or left & right brackets

- Automatic RGB and CMYK mode detection

[pixxxelschubser]

And please describe the kind of your textbox. (Because: 90% of point text does not make sense.)

[Aidan_C]

Ive posted an image above if that helps.