Using Spreadsheet Data to transform Illustrator objects

[Simon Templar]

Hi All,

I am no programmer by any means nor am I a speadsheet guru but I have recently got some data on Google Sheets that I want to use to make life MUCH easier. I want to tell Illustrator to look at the spreadsheet know how many object to create, how far to move them and then how much to rotate them by on a given coordinate … but I don't know the first thing about how to tackle it.

I have been using Illustrator since I was 16 (I'm now 40!) and I have never touched Variable Data, importing spreadsheets data, or Actions (I used Actions in PShop years ago) … and I suspect I probably have to use one or a combination of these to get my desired result. Can any kind soul point me in the right direction?

My convivial thanks in advance!

[CarlosCanto]

going by your description, Variable Data won't help you. Variables are used to replace text as in Data Merge. You will need to write a script to read the data off the spreadsheet and use it to reposition objects. 

If you post a specific example maybe we could give further advise.

[Simon Templar]

Thank you CarlosCanto!

I will have a column numbered 1-1000 (I envisioned this being the identity number per object) a second column with an x coordinate and a third column with a rotational value. Objects will rotate around a predetermined coordinate other than their own centre, if that makes sense.

Obj. / Move / Rotate

1 / 1.2 / 270°

2 / 3.47 / 90°

3 / 2.64 / 45°

4 / 7.9 / 62°

… etc.

I aim to use Google Sheets, although I have Excel.

[CarlosCanto]

can you share your files? save your spreadsheet as csv please.

[Simon Templar]

Okay, here's the .csv. Thanks again CarlosCanto.

[CarlosCanto]

thanks, please share your illustrator file as well.

[Simon Templar]

I hadn't created one, I was looking at working out how to place the objects first however, here's an example of where I would have started, using just a circle. I wanted to have a script that would populate the Artboard by duplicating the object.

[Simon Templar]

Does anybody know how to write a script for this?

[CarlosCanto]

Does anybody know how to write a script for this?

By @Simon Templar

many of us know how to write scripts, but probably many of us have not had a chance to write the script for you. You're not a programmer, I can't simply give you direction and expect you to follow, it takes time to learn, it takes time to write scripts once you know how to write scripts.

as for providing more information as pixxxel has requested, he's right, it's not nearly enough. I'm writing a script as proof of concept, it might not be what you have in mind, but I guess you don't have any files to work with as of now.

[Simon Templar]

I have a spreadsheet, that's all. I want to populate an Illustrator file with objects using the data which will position them. Many thanks for your efforts—greatly appreciated—I half expected to have to tweak any script, if I found it didn't work … but I couldn't imagine starting one myself as I don't understand how to set one up etc.

What other info do you need that would help?

[pixxxelschubser]

Do you really want to rotate circles?

[Simon Templar]

Hi pixelschubser,

Yes, it's just a proxy. The problem pertains o rotating large numbers of objects around a given point after offsetting them a certain distance.

[pixxxelschubser]

Circles are extremely unsuitable for this. Please show a meaningful example before and after.

[Simon Templar]

I don't quite follow: I have outlined what I am trying to do, I currently have a circle—it could just as easily be a square. I'm wanting to know how to write a script of some kind that will move objects and rotate them, using spreadsheet data.

[pixxxelschubser]

Excuse me.

For me there is too little information and too many options, depending on the initial situation and the desired result. Unfortunately, I'm out.

[Simon Templar]

Okay, but I thought I'd been succinct.
I want to move an object (any kind) from coordinates 0, 0 to X, Y

I then want to rotate that object around coordinate 0, 0.

There are many objects.

I have a spreadsheet that lists all objects positions and the rotations.

Don't know how to state it any clearer than that I'm afraid.

Thanks for your time.

[pixxxelschubser]

A sample file before and after is much clearer and clearer than 1000 words. I've already written a lot of scripts. Some of them were completely useless and unnecessary and not worth the time invested because the description was ambiguous or unclear. Or because the example file was structured completely differently than assumed. I don't do that anymore. I'm so sorry.

There are sure to be other helpers here.

[Simon Templar]

No worries, I'm sure others can help. I can't provide a file of before (?) and after as I am trying to get help using the data to produce it in the first place. Chicken & Egg.

[Kurt Gold]

This may be no help at all, but I completely agree with pixxxelschubser at this point.

I cobbled together many bumpy actions in the past and although Illustrator actions are always bumpy, some of them may take a lot of time to make them and sometimes they can even be useful.

Some of the most complex actions unfortunately have sometimes been rated as "useless" ("does not work at all" or some similar comments), just because there were imprecise definitions of a specific task. And – of course – the lack of meaningful sample files.

[Simon Templar]

I appreciate that but can't see how else I can clarify. Above is a spreadsheet with three columns of data. The first representing the number of the objects, the second giving a distance to which the object is to be moved and the third an angle to rotate the object around 0, 0.

[Kurt Gold]

Simon,

basically your request may be pretty clear, but please understand: Script developers or action makers do know that there may be countless unknown conditions.

They prefer to know all of them before working out possible solutions.

[pixxxelschubser]

many of us know how to write scripts, but probably many of us have not had a chance to write the script for you. You're not a programmer, I can't simply give you direction and expect you to follow, it takes time to learn, it takes time to write scripts once you know how to write scripts.

as for providing more information as pixxxel has requested, he's right, it's not nearly enough. I'm writing a script as proof of concept, it might not be what you have in mind, but I guess you don't have any files to work with as of now.

By @CarlosCanto

Did I already mention that I like you?

😉

[CarlosCanto]

Did I already mention that I like you?

😉

By @pixxxelschubser

I'm not sure 🙂

[renél80416020]

Bonjour Simon,

Si à 40 ans vous n'êtes pas capable d'illustrer votre demande, c'est de la mauvaise volonté...

Par exemple ? (appliqué à un même objet dupliqué à chaque étape)

René

[pixxxelschubser]

Okay, here's the .csv. Thanks again CarlosCanto.

By @Simon Templar

                                                                                            --> jump to quoted post

This could be a possible result of your CSV data (Untitled spreadsheet - Sheet1.csv).

 

assumed:

26 simple rectangles with

top left on 0,0

each of them:

moved in 1.1 steps from 0,0 and

rotated in 15° steps