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Is there an indesign script to arrange multiple objects in a matrix?

Advocate ,
Oct 25, 2020 Oct 25, 2020

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can control the spacing and size.
The size can be controlled by calling the object style.
For example, I want to arrange 6 plates into: 2 columns and 3 rows.
The horizontal spacing is 4mm, and the vertical spacing is 8mm.

TOPICS
Bug , How to , Import and export , Scripting

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correct answers 2 Correct answers

Community Expert , Nov 01, 2020 Nov 01, 2020

There are a lot of possible variables—are the objects different sizes, does their placement in the matrix matter, where is the position of the matrix on the page? This arranges a selection of same sized objects:

 


#target indesign

app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;
app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;

var s = app.activeDocument.selection;

//number of columns and rows
var col = 2;
...

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Community Expert , Jan 28, 2022 Jan 28, 2022

It’s easy enough to remove the X, Y preference from the dialog, but the grid is keyed off of the upper left corner of the selection and not its center. So in this example the new arrangment would not be centered on the original selection:

 

Screen Shot 30.png

The grid will start from the upper left of the original selection

Screen Shot 31.png

 

 

 

/*
* Arranges a selection of objects into a grid starting from the selection’s upper left
* Version 1.5
* Rob Day 2020-2021
*/


//check for a selection
var s = app.activeDocument.selec
...

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Advocate ,
Oct 25, 2020 Oct 25, 2020

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Can you share some screenshots for better understanding?

 

Sunil

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Advocate ,
Nov 01, 2020 Nov 01, 2020

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Sorry, I was a bit busy lately and did not reply in time.
Like this, 6 different pictures, I want to quickly get 2 columns, 3 rows, the spacing is 4mm.

There are hundreds of such pictures, if the number of columns, rows, and spacing may also change

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Enthusiast ,
Oct 25, 2020 Oct 25, 2020

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What type of objects?

Maybe "MakeGrid" which comes with InDesign is kind of what you're looking for?

MakeGrid.gif

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Community Expert ,
Nov 01, 2020 Nov 01, 2020

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There are a lot of possible variables—are the objects different sizes, does their placement in the matrix matter, where is the position of the matrix on the page? This arranges a selection of same sized objects:

 


#target indesign

app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;
app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;

var s = app.activeDocument.selection;

//number of columns and rows
var col = 2; var row = 3;

//space between the frames
var xgut = 4;
var ygut = 8;

var colw = getPos(s)[0];
var colh = getPos(s)[1];
var xoff = getPos(s)[2];
var yoff = getPos(s)[3] - (colh + ygut);
var startX = xoff;

//make matrix using modulo to set the columns
for (var i = 0; i < s.length; i++){
    if (i % col > 0) {
        xoff = xoff + colw + xgut;
    }else{
        xoff = startX;
        yoff = yoff + colh + ygut;
    }
    s[i].move( [xoff, yoff] );
};   



/**
* Get matrix tile position 
* @Param the selection to arrange 
* @Return an array with colwidth, rowheight, x, and y 
* 
*/
function getPos(sel){
    var x = sel[0].geometricBounds[1];
    var y = sel[0].geometricBounds[0];
    
    var w = 0;
    var h = 0;
    var a = []
    for (var i = 0; i < sel.length; i++){
        var b = sel[i].geometricBounds;
        if (b[1] < x) {
            x = b[1]
        } 
        if (b[0] < y) {
            y = b[0]
        } 
        if (b[3]-b[1] > w) {
            w = b[3]-b[1]
        } 
        if (b[2]-b[0] > h) {
            h = b[2]-b[0]
        }
    };
    a=[w, h, x, y];
    return a
}

 

Screen Shot 11.pngScreen Shot 12.png

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Advocate ,
Nov 01, 2020 Nov 01, 2020

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Thanks Rob Day
You are very nice

This is exactly what i want

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Community Expert ,
Nov 03, 2020 Nov 03, 2020

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This seems like a useful script so I added a dialog. It defaults to millimeters, but you can use any InDesign measurement unit, i.e. 1in. Haven’t tested much.

 

#target indesign
#targetengine "session"

//check for a doc
var s = app.activeDocument.selection;
if (s.length > 1) {
    makeDialog();
} else {alert("Please Select Some Frames.")}

//result variables
var xoff, syoff, col, row, xgut, ygut; 

/**
* Make the export settings dialog 
* @Return 
* 
*/
function makeDialog(){
    var mw = 90;

    //the dialog name
    var theDialog = app.dialogs.add({name:"Arrange Matrix", canCancel:true});
    with(theDialog){
        with(dialogColumns.add()){
            with(borderPanels.add()){
                with(dialogColumns.add()){
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Matrix X Pos:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Matrix Y Pos:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Columns:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Rows:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Column Gutter:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Row Gutter:"});
                }
                with(dialogColumns.add()){
                    var matrixX = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var matrixY = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var nCol = integerEditboxes.add({editValue:2, minWidth:mw});
                    var nRow = integerEditboxes.add({editValue:2, minWidth:mw});
                    var colGutter = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var rowGutter = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                }
            }
        }
    }
	
    var dResult = theDialog.show();
    if(dResult == true){
        xoff = matrixX.editValue;
        syoff = matrixY.editValue;
        col = nCol.editValue;
        row = nRow.editValue;
        xgut = colGutter.editValue;
        ygut = rowGutter.editValue
        theDialog.destroy();
        makeMatrix();
	}else{
		theDialog.destroy();
	}
}



/**
* Discription 
* @Return void 
* 
*/
function makeMatrix(){
    
    var ohm = app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits;
    var ovm = app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits;
    app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.POINTS;
    app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.POINTS;
    

    var colw = getPos(s)[0];
    var colh = getPos(s)[1];
    var yoff = syoff - (colh + ygut);
    var startX = xoff;

    //make matrix using modulo to set the columns
    for (var i = 0; i < s.length; i++){
        if (i % col > 0) {
            xoff = xoff + colw + xgut;
        }else{
            xoff = startX;
            yoff = yoff + colh + ygut;
        }
            s[i].move( [xoff, yoff] );
    };   

    app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits = ohm;
    app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits = ovm;
}


/**
* Get matrix tile position 
* @Param the selection to arrange 
* @Return an array with colwidth, rowheight 
* 
*/
function getPos(sel){
    var w = 0;
    var h = 0;
    var a = []
    for (var i = 0; i < sel.length; i++){
        var b = sel[i].geometricBounds;
        if (b[3]-b[1] > w) {
            w = b[3]-b[1]
        } 
        if (b[2]-b[0] > h) {
            h = b[2]-b[0]
        }
    };
    a=[w, h];
    return a
}

 

Screen Shot 36.png

 

 

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Advocate ,
Apr 22, 2021 Apr 22, 2021

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Hi~ Rob day.

Your script doesn't respond after double clicking.

It's strange that the last script used to work, but now it doesn't respond.

Is it because I use the latest version of InDesign?

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Community Expert ,
Apr 22, 2021 Apr 22, 2021

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Do you get an error message?

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Advocate ,
Apr 22, 2021 Apr 22, 2021

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There was no response to double clicking.

There is no message.

InDesign version: 16.1 X64

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Community Expert ,
Apr 23, 2021 Apr 23, 2021

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It’s working for me. Here’s a compiled version:

 

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/cd84bf34-4a49-413b-5438-10aa7bdcf59f

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Advocate ,
Apr 23, 2021 Apr 23, 2021

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what is it?

I can't open it, it will automatically jump to adobe.com The home page of.

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Community Expert ,
Apr 23, 2021 Apr 23, 2021

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Click Download to  download the script:

 

Screen Shot 17.png

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Advocate ,
Apr 23, 2021 Apr 23, 2021

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After I click, the address will jump to www.adobe.com

Unable to reach the specified network

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Community Expert ,
Apr 24, 2021 Apr 24, 2021

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Hmm worked for me. Maybe you need to log into your Adobe account?

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Advocate ,
Apr 24, 2021 Apr 24, 2021

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I've been here www.adobe.com inside

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Advocate ,
Apr 24, 2021 Apr 24, 2021

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Maybe that file is missing, so skip to "www.adobe.com" home page.

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Community Expert ,
Apr 24, 2021 Apr 24, 2021

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The file is not missing, maybe try pasting the link address into your browser’s URL address field?

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Advocate ,
Apr 24, 2021 Apr 24, 2021

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I downloaded it.

Switch to MS edge browser and it will be successful.

I tried, but still can't run, it should be because of my InDesign.

Let's wait for the next InDesign version.

Thank you all.

……

I now use three browsers to browse Adobe.com .

chromium、Maxthon、Edge

……

I thought edge would take it all, but only Maxthon can reply from time to time.

……

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Advocate ,
Jan 27, 2022 Jan 27, 2022

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Sorry ~ @rob day , I'm back again.
This script, how to make the result appear in the original position.
Instead of jumping to Matrix X Pos: and Matrix Y Pos:

 

Also, can the script remember the last value?
Thank you very much~

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Community Expert ,
Jan 27, 2022 Jan 27, 2022

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Looks like the code I posted for CC2020 is not working in CC2021—the starting X,Y position for the grid is wrong when you set it to something other than 0, 0.

 

I can‘t test 2022, but this seems to works with CC2021:

 

/*
* Arrances a selection of objects into a grid
* Version 1.2
* Rob Day 2020-2021
*/


//check for a doc
var s = app.activeDocument.selection;
if (s.length > 1) {
    makeDialog();
} else {alert("Please Select Some Frames.")}

//result variables
var xoff, syoff, col, row, xgut, ygut; 

/**
* Make the export settings dialog 
* @Return 
* 
*/
function makeDialog(){
    var mw = 90;

    //the dialog name
    var theDialog = app.dialogs.add({name:"Arrange Matrix", canCancel:true});
    with(theDialog){
        with(dialogColumns.add()){
            with(borderPanels.add()){
                with(dialogColumns.add()){
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Matrix X Pos:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Matrix Y Pos:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Columns:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Rows:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Column Gutter:"});
                    staticTexts.add({staticLabel:"Row Gutter:"});
                }
                with(dialogColumns.add()){
                    var matrixX = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var matrixY = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var nCol = integerEditboxes.add({editValue:2, minWidth:mw});
                    var nRow = integerEditboxes.add({editValue:2, minWidth:mw});
                    var colGutter = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                    var rowGutter = measurementEditboxes.add({editUnits:MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS, editValue:0, minWidth:mw});
                }
            }
        }
    }
	
    var dResult = theDialog.show();
    if(dResult == true){
        xoff = matrixX.editValue;
        syoff = matrixY.editValue;
        col = nCol.editValue;
        row = nRow.editValue;
        xgut = colGutter.editValue;
        ygut = rowGutter.editValue
        theDialog.destroy();
        makeMatrix();
	}else{
		theDialog.destroy();
	}
}

/**
* Discription 
* @Return void 
* 
*/
function makeMatrix(){
    app.scriptPreferences.measurementUnit = MeasurementUnits.POINTS

    var colw = getPos(s)[0];
    var colh = getPos(s)[1];
    var yoff = syoff - (colh + ygut);
    var startX = xoff;

    //make matrix using modulo to set the columns
    for (var i = 0; i < s.length; i++){
        if (i % col > 0) {
            xoff = xoff + colw + xgut;
        }else{
            xoff = startX;
            yoff = yoff + colh + ygut;
        }
            s[i].move( [xoff, yoff] );
    };   
}


/**
* Get matrix tile position 
* @Param the selection to arrange 
* @Return an array with colwidth, rowheight 
* 
*/
function getPos(sel){
    var w = 0;
    var h = 0;
    var a = []
    for (var i = 0; i < sel.length; i++){
        var b = sel[i].geometricBounds;
        if (b[3]-b[1] > w) {
            w = b[3]-b[1]
        } 
        if (b[2]-b[0] > h) {
            h = b[2]-b[0]
        }
    };
    a=[w, h];
    return a
}

 

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Community Expert ,
Jan 27, 2022 Jan 27, 2022

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Advocate ,
Jan 28, 2022 Jan 28, 2022

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I tried.

The script will work in 2022.
But not the effect I said,Now, still appearing at the origin.
What I mean is that after running the script, it is flattened and aligned at the "current viewpoint", not at the origin of the X-Y coordinates.

Now, it is flattened at the origin of X and Y.

 

What I want is to flatten the alignment in the original position of the objects


Thank you~

Snipaste_2022-27.jpg

 

 

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Community Expert ,
Jan 28, 2022 Jan 28, 2022

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You have to enter the desired X, Y position in the dialog

 

Screen Shot 19.pngScreen Shot 21.pngScreen Shot 24.png

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Advocate ,
Jan 28, 2022 Jan 28, 2022

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@rob day 

The following script can realize what I said, and there is no need to manage the coordinates.

Unfortunately, it has no dialog box.

I don't know how to do it.

 

#target indesign

app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;
app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits = MeasurementUnits.MILLIMETERS;

var s = app.activeDocument.selection;

//列数(Number of columns)
var col = 2; 

//行数(Number of rows)
var row = 3;


//列间距(Column spacing)mm
var xgut = 2;

//行间距(Row spacing))mm
var ygut = 2;

var colw = getPos(s)[0];
var colh = getPos(s)[1];
var xoff = getPos(s)[2];
var yoff = getPos(s)[3] - (colh + ygut);
var startX = xoff;

//使用取模使矩阵设置列(Use modulo to make the matrix set columns)
for (var i = 0; i < s.length; i++){
    if (i % col > 0) {
        xoff = xoff + colw + xgut;
    }else{
        xoff = startX;
        yoff = yoff + colh + ygut;
    }
    s[i].move( [xoff, yoff] );
};   



/**
* Get matrix tile position 
* @Param the selection to arrange 
* @Return an array with colwidth, rowheight, x, and y 
* 
*/
function getPos(sel){
    var x = sel[0].geometricBounds[1];
    var y = sel[0].geometricBounds[0];
    
    var w = 0;
    var h = 0;
    var a = []
    for (var i = 0; i < sel.length; i++){
        var b = sel[i].geometricBounds;
        if (b[1] < x) {
            x = b[1]
        } 
        if (b[0] < y) {
            y = b[0]
        } 
        if (b[3]-b[1] > w) {
            w = b[3]-b[1]
        } 
        if (b[2]-b[0] > h) {
            h = b[2]-b[0]
        }
    };
    a=[w, h, x, y];
    return a
}

 

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