Layer Item Order

[joet082964]

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.

[Marc Autret · Accepted solution]

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

[joet082964]

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?

[Marc Autret]

I can replace "Layer1" with whatever layer name?

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

Marc

[jakec88782761]

Hi Marc Autret​,

How does this line work? I thought that you couldn't access the name property on everyItem() because it's a collection rather than an array.

(a=(o=o.pageItems).everyItem().name).sort(cleanSort) ;

[Marc Autret]

Hi jakec,

I thought that you couldn't access the name property on everyItem() because it's a collection rather than an array. 

everyItem() is not a collection, it's a plural specifier over a collection (pageItems is a collection.)

Now a plural specifier basically behaves like a singular specifier, but when you read a property it returns an array.

That's why pageItems.everyItem().name is an array of strings.

Best,

Marc