Way to make text read-only?

[jsavage77]

I'm wondering if there's a way to make a textpath read-only. I see there is an editable property, but it can't be changed and seems to just auto-update when the textpath is locked or unlocked. I know I can lock the object but the user would just be able to unlock it. I can also outline the text, except I need the script to be able to edit it.

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

Not that I know. AI doesn't have this level of fine granular control.

Mylenium

[Jeff Witchel, ACI · Accepted solution]

I would normally never suggest this, because it's not a good idea, but it does solve the problem.

Save the file with a new name and then outline the text (Type > Create Outlines). The text is no longer type and can't be edited.

[Jacob Bugge]

j,

To add to what Jeff said, presuming you wish to be able to edit it yourself, and at the same time send it to someone without that ability, the simple solution is to Save As under another name (adding Outlined or something to discern), then outline that version and send it, then carry on with your work in the original document and repeat if relevant.

[m1b]

Hi @jsavage77, I'm pretty sure I could write a script system that provided this functionality. You would select a text frame item and "freeze" it, which would outline the type, then the script (your script) could call a function to update the contents and it would rebuild the text frame with the new contents and re-freeze it (outline it). What do you think? The user couldn't do it unless they also had the script.

Maybe someone here could write this or I could do it when I had the chance. Message me if you need it sooner.

- Mark

[Sergey Osokin]

I fantasize that it could have been two scripts. The first: adds a Tag (multiple Tags) to the object that stores the content and font information, textFrame position and then creates an outline. The second script: searches the document for objects with the custom Tags and creates a new textFrame based on the information in the tag, then removes the outlined object.

[Kurt Gold]

I know that it may sound a bit rude, but frankly all suggested possible "solutions" so far are some kind of nonsense that can easily be outflanked.

As Mylenium already stated, there is no reliable control like that at the moment.

[m1b]

Hi @Kurt Gold, good to hear from you! You make a good point. I think we probably all assumed that the situation wasn't quite as adversarial as that. I mean, a user intent on editing the "protected" text, or even protected document, could simply copy everything except the "protected" text to a new document and replace the protected bits with their own. We would have no say, and no control over the new document. So, I'm thinking the situation is more like "we don't want the user to mess this up" rather than "we need to make this impossible to circumvent". @jsavage77, perhaps you could clarify.

- Mark

[Kurt Gold]

You may be right, Mark, of course.

I have to think about it, but right now - already in bed - I'm afraid that I have to rather dream about it and from experience my dreams are full of adversarial events.

Good night (day).