Swap symbol by another one

[artchrome]

Hi everybody,

my think goes to JET and his script:

#target illustrator
/*
JET_ReplaceWithSymbol.jsx
A Javascript for Adobe Illustrator

Purpose:
Replaces selected items with Instances of a Symbol from the Symbols Panel.
The desired Symbol can be defined by its index number (its number of occurrance in the Panel).

To Use:
Document must have at least one Symbol defined.
Select objects. Run the script.
*/
var docRef=app.activeDocument;
var symbolNum=prompt("Enter the number of the Symbol you want to replace each selected object",1);
for(i=0;i<docRef.selection.length;i++){
    var currObj=docRef.selection;
    var currLeft=currObj.left;
    var currTop=currObj.top;
    var currWidth=currObj.width;
    var currHeight=currObj.height;
    var currInstance=docRef.symbolItems.add(docRef.symbols[symbolNum-1]);
    currInstance.width*=currHeight/currInstance.height;
    currInstance.height=currHeight;
    currInstance.left=currLeft;
    currInstance.top=currTop;
    currInstance.selected=true;
    currObj.remove();
    redraw();
}

So.. this script works fine but, in fact i need that symbols keep same layer, same order and same name of previous.

Is there a simple method to swap symbol item by another one ? or need i to rename created layer (delete previous) and move it in correct order ?

Thanks in advance, art.chrome

(i don't know, but i'm trying )

[Muppet_Mark-QAl63s · Accepted solution]

Try add this line…

currInstance.move(currObj, ElementPlacement.PLACEBEFORE);

before this line…

currInstance.selected=true;

[artchrome]

Woohh,

Many thanks Muppet Mark simply and effective !

(and special thanks JET)

Regards, art.chrome

[Muppet_Mark-QAl63s]

I have many a JET script too…

[rcraighead]

Here is a small variation on JET's original script.

Changes:

• Symbol Instance name is retained
• Replacement Symbol centers horizontally on the original Symbol
• Function argrument accepts the Symbol "Name" for easier automation

function swapSymbols(symbolName) {
    var aDoc = app.activeDocument;
    for (i = 0; i < aDoc.selection.length; i++) {
        var currObj = aDoc.selection[i];
        var currName = currObj.name;
        var currLeft = currObj.left;
        var currTop = currObj.top;
        var currWidth = currObj.width;
        var currHeight = currObj.height;
        var currInstance = aDoc.symbolItems.add(aDoc.symbols[symbolName]);
        currInstance.width *= currHeight / currInstance.height;
        currInstance.height = currHeight;
        currInstance.left = currLeft - (currInstance.width - currWidth/2) + (currInstance.width/2);
        currInstance.top = currTop;
        currInstance.name = currName;
        currInstance.selected = true;
        currObj.remove();
        redraw();
    }
}