Can a script do this?

[Mendi M]

Can a script convert a line to a shape?

[Peter Kahrel]

Yes.

[Laubender]

Hi @Mendi M ,

do you want some hints how to do this?
Or is a "yes" enough so that I can give Peter Kahrel's reply the "Correct Answer" status?

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Mendi M]

Hi thanks!

This is a good question...
I'm not an expert enough, I encounter this need from time to time, and I haven't found a script for it.
The solution I did and heard is to use Illustrator...

In fact for an answer:
I would love to hear if it is a complex script or a number of simple commands?

[Laubender]

Hi @Mendi M ,

it's not done straight forward. But it's doable.

In fact, Olav Martin Kvern did one about ten years ago and it should still work.

It's exploiting the text wrap feature of InDesign where one could define a custom path for wrapping text. Let's see if we can still find the script named OffsetPath.jsx.

It was part of Ole's CAD scripts suite. Ah, found it:

https://www.siliconpublishing.com/blog/free-indesign-scripts/

Hm. For your purpose you will run it perhaps two times on the same object to get the outer path and the other time to get the inner path and then use InDesign's pathfinder tool to create the desired object.

Just test OffsetPath.jsx and let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Laubender]

Hi @Mendi M ,

the other, more easy answer, is to use InDesign and Illustrator together.

Copy the item from InDesign to Illustrator, expand the shape there and copy the result back to InDesign.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can a script convert a line to a shape?

By @Mendi M

Do you mean Convert to Curves / Outline - Text line?

Or Graphic line - to what kind of a shape?

Or something else?

[Mendi M]

Hi, 

I meant like Expand in Illustrator

example: > >

 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Hi, 

I meant like Expand in Illustrator

example: > >

By @Mendi M

Something like that - easy:

1) create "outside" circle,

2) create "inside" circle,

3) subtract.

But if you have something more complicated - you need to show it first - it might be possible.