importing pages from an InDesign document into boxes on another InDesign document

[B38120085xc66]

I need a script that will import each page from a multipage InDesign document into boxes I've created in a new document (with the option to include any bleed set in the multipage document or not). If I have 1000 pages in one document, I want to bring each page in to a new document to fill the 1000 boxes I've positioned. Then tell me if I've only created say 900 boxes on my new page, that the last 100 pages weren't imported.

Right now, I have to do this manually, and it's gruellnig!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Why?

If you export your source INDD file as separate PDFs - you could use ImageCatalog script.

Or you can export as a single PDF - and use PlaceMultipagePDF script.

Both included with InDesign.

[B38120085xc66]

thanks for your reply - PlaceMultipagePDF doesn't do what I want at all - if i have a 300 page INDD doc I saved as a 300 page PDF, using this makes another 300page INDD doc. I need all the pages in one new page.

ImageCatalogueScript might have worked except that it creates a new 8.5x11 page to put the images on. I need to be able to make my own size page.

An example would be to fit 300 3.4" w x 2.4" h pages from document A into onto a 40.8x60 page in document B like the screengrab attached.

[B38120085xc66]

oops wrong attachment...

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

So you want a ContactSheet? 

I'll check later but I'm pretty sure you can change the output page size in the Image Catalog script - set it to whatever you want - or just use current document.  

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You need to change line 237 like this:

From now on - script will use Active Document - so you can define whatever size you need and then run script.

Warning - you probably won't be able to save it - so you need:

- open Scripts pallet,

- highligh this script and either use right mouse button - on Windows / PC:

or hamburger menu:

Copy it - Ctrl+C or whatever shortcut is on a Mac.

Then do the same steps with USER folder:

Double click on "Scripts Panel" to get inside - and paste there copied script.

Then edit it and save.

From now on it will be in USER scripts folder - not SAMPLES.

[B38120085xc66]

thanks! Once I have the new document exactly the right size, it's perfect! Other than the fact that the numbers aren't in order. It seems pretty randomly placed on the page. This would be a problem for our team as we need to give them to the customer in order once they're cut. Any thoughts on why this would be?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Not sure - it's probably the order in which files has been saved - creation date - not by name?

[B38120085xc66]

they were all created from a multi page INDD doc where they're in order. Then exported to a PDF, then I split that PDF into single pages.

[B38120085xc66]

ah, it's placing them in size order. #2 is 18,991 bytes, #7 is 19,007, #14 is 19,042 etc.

[B38120085xc66]

I just need to figure out how to change that to alphabetical order. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I just need to figure out how to change that to alphabetical order. 

By @B38120085xc66

What is your default sort order in the system - or when you run script and point to the folder? 

[B38120085xc66]

alphabetical. I tried changing the view order, but it didn't make any difference to the result.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

alphabetical. I tried changing the view order, but it didn't make any difference to the result.

By @B38120085xc66

But "Sort by" is "none"? 

[B38120085xc66]

no, it says sort by name.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

no, it says sort by name.

By @B38120085xc66

Right, sorry. 

I'm sure it should be possible to sort the array before using it.

[B38120085xc66]

I've tried, but it's beyond me. It sounds like it should be so simple, but I can't get it to work.