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joet082964
joet082964
Inspiring
Nov 7, 2017 4:49 PM UTC
Answered

Layer Item Order

Hello friends,

I am a "non-scriptor" for lack of a better term. I did a forum and Google search but wasn't able to come up with an answer.

I need a script to alphabetize a long list of items on a single layer.  For example, in this screenshot, all of these elements are on one layer, where they need to stay. Is it possible to create a script that would re-order those items on that particular layer so that they are alphabetical? Also, I have many other layers, but I only need to be able to run the script on particular layers.

Thanks for your help.

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Marc Autret
Marc AutretCorrect answer
Legend
Nov 7, 2017 7:42 PM UTC

Hi joet,

Ultra-lazy implementation (assuming non-locked items, non-weird names, etc)

const cleanSort = function(x,y)
{
    x = x.toLowerCase();
    y = y.toLowerCase();
    return x < y ? -1 : +(x!=y);
};
const sortInLayer = function(/*str*/name,  o,a,s)
{
    o = app.properties.activeDocument;
    if( !o ){ alert( "No document." ); return; }
    o = o.layers.itemByName(String(name));
    if( !o || !o.isValid ){ alert("No layer with that name."); return; }
    for
    (
        (a=(o=o.pageItems).everyItem().name).sort(cleanSort) ;
        s = a.pop();
        o.itemByName(s).bringToFront()
    );
};
// Test.
// ---
sortInLayer( "Layer1" );

@+

Marc

View reply

5 replies

Marc Autret
Marc AutretCorrect answer
Legend
Nov 7, 2017 7:42 PM UTC

Hi joet,

Ultra-lazy implementation (assuming non-locked items, non-weird names, etc)

const cleanSort = function(x,y)
{
    x = x.toLowerCase();
    y = y.toLowerCase();
    return x < y ? -1 : +(x!=y);
};
const sortInLayer = function(/*str*/name,  o,a,s)
{
    o = app.properties.activeDocument;
    if( !o ){ alert( "No document." ); return; }
    o = o.layers.itemByName(String(name));
    if( !o || !o.isValid ){ alert("No layer with that name."); return; }
    for
    (
        (a=(o=o.pageItems).everyItem().name).sort(cleanSort) ;
        s = a.pop();
        o.itemByName(s).bringToFront()
    );
};
// Test.
// ---
sortInLayer( "Layer1" );

@+

Marc

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    joet082964
    joet082964Author
    Inspiring
    Nov 7, 2017 7:48 PM UTC

    Thank you Marc.  Can I specify which layer that will run on, or is that what line 26 does? If so, I can replace "Layer1" with whatever layer name?

    Translate
    Marc Autret
    Marc Autret
    Legend
    Nov 7, 2017 8:38 PM UTC

    I can replace "Layer1" with whatever layer name?

    Yes, that's the way it is supposed to work.

    Marc

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