In Design Script

Report · Jan 05, 2025

Hi All,

I have the following script for PC. Its working perfectly, except I need to set the "through cut" spot colour to overprint, and no matter what we (myself & Chat GPT) try, it just will not do it. I know this is possible as I have had it at a previous workplace, but I didn't create that script and so did not take it with me when I left.

Any assistance is appreciated!

#target indesign

// Function to create or get the "Cut" layer
function createOrGetCutLayer() {
var doc = app.activeDocument; // Get the active document
var cutLayer = doc.layers.itemByName("cut");

// If the layer doesn't exist, create it
if (!cutLayer.isValid) {
cutLayer = doc.layers.add({ name: "cut" });
alert('Layer "cut" has been created.');
} else {
alert('Layer "cut" already exists.');
}

return cutLayer;
}

// Function to create or get the "Through Cut" spot color
function getOrCreateThroughCutSpotColor() {
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var spotColor;

// Check if the spot color "Through Cut" already exists in the swatches
try {
spotColor = doc.colors.itemByName("through cut");

// If the swatch is invalid, throw an error to create it
if (!spotColor.isValid) {
throw new Error("Spot color not found");
}
alert('Spot color "through cut" found and used.');
} catch (e) {
// If the swatch doesn't exist, create it as a global spot color
var spotColorDefinition = doc.colors.add();
spotColorDefinition.name = "through cut"; // Name the spot color
spotColorDefinition.model = ColorModel.SPOT; // Set it as a spot color
spotColorDefinition.space = ColorSpace.CMYK;
spotColorDefinition.colorValue = [0, 100, 0, 0]; // CMYK 100% Magenta

alert('Spot color "through cut" created with 100% Magenta.');
spotColor = spotColorDefinition;
}

return spotColor;
}

// Function to create a rectangle the same size as the page with a spot color stroke
function createRectangleSameSizeAsPage() {
var doc = app.activeDocument; // Get the active document
var page = doc.pages[0]; // Get the first page (adjust if needed for multiple pages)

// Get the page dimensions
var pageWidth = doc.documentPreferences.pageWidth;
var pageHeight = doc.documentPreferences.pageHeight;

// Create the rectangle with the same size as the page
var rect = page.rectangles.add({
geometricBounds: [0, 0, pageHeight, pageWidth] // [top, left, bottom, right]
});

// Apply 0.25 pt stroke weight
rect.strokeWeight = 0.25;

// Get or create the "Through Cut" spot color
var spotColor = getOrCreateThroughCutSpotColor();

// Apply the spot color to the rectangle's stroke
rect.strokeColor = spotColor;

// Remove the fill color (optional)
rect.fillColor = doc.swatches.itemByName('None'); // No fill

// Get or create the "cut" layer
var cutLayer = createOrGetCutLayer();

// Place the rectangle on the "cut" layer
rect.itemLayer = cutLayer;

alert('Rectangle created on "cut" layer with the same size as the page, 0.25 pt stroke, and "through cut" spot color.');
}

// Create the rectangle with stroke using spot color
createRectangleSameSizeAsPage();

Report · Jan 05, 2025

If it helps, these are the steps i gave Chat GPT to create this above script. - whenever i try adn add the overprint command/function, it just doesnt work.

i need a script that completes the following steps, in this order.
1. Create a layer called "cut" if one does not already exist.
2. Create a frame to the page size.
3. Put frame on "cut" layer - create if doesnt exist.
4. set stroke to 0.25pt.
5. Create spot colour "through cut"
6. Assign "through cut" to frame stroke

Report · Jan 06, 2025

https://www.indesignjs.de/extendscriptAPI/indesign-latest/#Rectangle.html

Take a look at the overprintStroke property.

Report · Jan 06, 2025

Thank you! I have tried boolean and instructing chat GPT to use methods like this. Unfortunately I'm not one for coding so I am relying on chat GPT to do this for me and it just seems we are going in circles and eventually get to the point that it tells me its a manual function that cannot be automated.

Report · Jan 06, 2025

Add this:

rect.overprintStroke = true;

After the line where you apply strokeColor.

Report · Jan 06, 2025

LEGEND!! Thank you so so much that has instantly worked!

Full code is as follows, in case anyone else needs it.

#target indesign

// Function to create or get the "Cut" layer
function createOrGetCutLayer() {
var doc = app.activeDocument; // Get the active document
var cutLayer = doc.layers.itemByName("cut");

// If the layer doesn't exist, create it
if (!cutLayer.isValid) {
cutLayer = doc.layers.add({ name: "cut" });
alert('Layer "cut" has been created.');
} else {
alert('Layer "cut" already exists.');
}

return cutLayer;
}

// Function to create or get the "Through Cut" spot color
function getOrCreateThroughCutSpotColor() {
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var spotColor;

// Check if the spot color "Through Cut" already exists in the swatches
try {
spotColor = doc.colors.itemByName("through cut");

// If the swatch is invalid, throw an error to create it
if (!spotColor.isValid) {
throw new Error("Spot color not found");
}
alert('Spot color "through cut" found and used.');
} catch (e) {
// If the swatch doesn't exist, create it as a global spot color
var spotColorDefinition = doc.colors.add();
spotColorDefinition.name = "through cut"; // Name the spot color
spotColorDefinition.model = ColorModel.SPOT; // Set it as a spot color
spotColorDefinition.space = ColorSpace.CMYK;
spotColorDefinition.colorValue = [0, 100, 0, 0]; // CMYK 100% Magenta

alert('Spot color "through cut" created with 100% Magenta.');
spotColor = spotColorDefinition;
}

return spotColor;
}

// Function to create a rectangle the same size as the page with a spot color stroke
function createRectangleSameSizeAsPage() {
var doc = app.activeDocument; // Get the active document
var page = doc.pages[0]; // Get the first page (adjust if needed for multiple pages)

// Get the page dimensions
var pageWidth = doc.documentPreferences.pageWidth;
var pageHeight = doc.documentPreferences.pageHeight;

// Create the rectangle with the same size as the page
var rect = page.rectangles.add({
geometricBounds: [0, 0, pageHeight, pageWidth] // [top, left, bottom, right]
});

// Apply 0.25 pt stroke weight
rect.strokeWeight = 0.25;

// Get or create the "Through Cut" spot color
var spotColor = getOrCreateThroughCutSpotColor();

// Apply the spot color to the rectangle's stroke
rect.strokeColor = spotColor;

// Set stroke to overprint
rect.overprintStroke = true; // Enable overprint for the stroke

// Remove the fill color (optional)
rect.fillColor = doc.swatches.itemByName('None'); // No fill

// Get or create the "cut" layer
var cutLayer = createOrGetCutLayer();

// Place the rectangle on the "cut" layer
rect.itemLayer = cutLayer;

alert('Rectangle created on "cut" layer with the same size as the page, 0.25 pt stroke, "through cut" spot color, and overprint stroke enabled.');
}

// Create the rectangle with stroke using spot color and overprint stroke
createRectangleSameSizeAsPage();

Report · Jan 06, 2025

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community">

Report · Jan 06, 2025

Thanks!

In Design Script

1 Correct answer