Script for Removing Illustrator "background" Layers from 1000+ files & then resave them to a folder

[danielj15115761]

Hello everyone!

This is my first support post. Thank you all in advance for your help and advice.

So here is our issue:

• We have 1000+ illustrator files.
• Each file has a layer with the name "background".
• We need to remove the "background" layer from the file and resave it to a folder on the desktop/or save over the original file. (whatever is easier).

My question is...is this possible with so many files?

[Charu Rajput]

Hi,

Try following snippet

function main() {
    var folder = Folder(Folder.desktop + "/New Files");
    if (!folder.exists)
        folder.create();
    for (var i = app.documents.length; i <= app.documents.length; i--) {
        try {
            var _backgroudLayer = app.documents[i].layers.getByName('background');
            _backgroudLayer.remove();
            var fileName = app.documents[i].name;
            app.documents[i].saveAs(File(folder + "/" + fileName));
            app.documents[i].close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        } catch (e) {

        }
    }
}

main()

This script will create a folder on Desktop with name "New Files" and all files will be saved inside the folder "New Files"

[netkoff]

there are over 1000 files. I don't think they will all be open in Illustrator. I have slightly modified your code

function main() {
    var folder = Folder(Folder.desktop + "/New Files");
    if (!folder.exists)
        folder.create();
    var fileList = File.openDialog("Selest Files", "All:*.ai*", true);
    for (var i = fileList.length; i <= fileList.length; i--) {
        app.open(fileList[i]);
        var doc = app.activeDocument;
        try {
            var _backgroudLayer = doc.layers.getByName('background');
            _backgroudLayer.remove();
            var fileName = doc.name;
            doc.saveAs(File(folder + "/" + fileName));
            doc.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        } catch (e) {

        }
    }
}

main()

[danielj15115761]

OK, firstly i would just like to thank you guys for your quick replies. 

Secondly, i just got my hands on the files in question and none of them have a layer with the name "background".

But, is there a possibility to delete sub or grouped layers with the standard "<rectangle>" named layers?

Thanks in advance!!

[netkoff]

if you need to remove the bottom layer but try this

function main() {
    var folder = Folder(Folder.desktop + "/New Files");
    if (!folder.exists)
        folder.create();
    var fileList = File.openDialog("Selest Files", "All:*.ai*", true);
    for (var i = fileList.length; i <= fileList.length; i--) {
        app.open(fileList[i]);
        var doc = app.activeDocument;
        try {
            //var _backgroudLayer = doc.layers.getByName('background');
            //_backgroudLayer.remove();
            var docLayers= doc.layers;
            var n = docLayers.length; 
            docLayers[n-1].remove();
            var fileName = doc.name;
            doc.saveAs(File(folder + "/" + fileName));
            doc.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        } catch (e) {

        }
    }
}

main()

if you need to delete only the bottom object, then try this

function main() {
    var folder = Folder(Folder.desktop + "/New Files");
    if (!folder.exists)
        folder.create();
    var fileList = File.openDialog("Selest Files", "All:*.ai*", true);
    for (var i = fileList.length; i <= fileList.length; i--) {
        app.open(fileList[i]);
        var doc = app.activeDocument;
        try {
            //var _backgroudLayer = doc.layers.getByName('background');
            //_backgroudLayer.remove();
            var pI= doc.pathItems;
            var n = pI.length; 
            pI[n-1].selected;
            pI[n-1].remove();
            var fileName = doc.name;
            doc.saveAs(File(folder + "/" + fileName));
            doc.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        } catch (e) {

        }
    }
}

main()

[danielj15115761]

Getting this error message...

[pixxxelschubser]

There is a typo in the loop.

for (var i = fileList.length; i <= fileList.length; i--) {

Should be:

for (var i = fileList.length-1; i >= 0; i--) {

[danielj15115761]

Thanks for the updated code. that worked.
but when I try to select the whole folder of EPS files, i get this error now.

[danielj15115761]

Ignore the previous message. The errors came from corrupt files. The code is working perfecly.
Thank you all for your help!

[danielj15115761]

Hi Guys,

I have a question about this code. But, first here is my situation...

We have received 1000+ vector files, each with its own folder. So the vector files all need stay in this filing system. 

My question: Is there a way of updating this script to include these folders and to search for the vector files through the main folder? AND, resaving or save over the original file?

Example from the Filing System:

Main Folder > Image Folder > Image.ai

Thanks in advance for your help and feedback!