3 Correct answers
Do you want to move a page item up in the containing layer’s stacking order?
Here there are 3 page items in Layer 1 (there’s only 1 Document Layer). To move the selected item up 1 place in Layer 1’s stacking order (there is also s.bringToFront(), s.sendToBack(), s.sendBackward()):
var s = app.activeDocument.selection[0]
s.bringForward()
Hi @dublove this function can set the stacking order. I am using a left-then-top sorting function, but you can use any criteria for sorting.
- Mark
/**
* @file Set Item Stacking Order.js
* @author m1b
* @version 2025-10-25
*/
function main() {
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var items = doc.selection;
// must update `items` with new item references
items = setItemStackingOrder(doc, items, sortByLeftTop);
};
app.doScript(main, ScriptLanguage.JAVASCRIPT, undefined, UndoModehow do I use it?
var d = app.activeDocument
//a selection on the bottom layer
var s = d.selection[0]
//this doesn’t do anything because s
//is the only object on the item Layer named "Gray"
s.bringForward()
//make a new layer
var ns = makeLayer(d, "New Gray Layer");
//moves the selected page item to New Gray Layer
// note that the parameter has to be a reference to an item Layer
s.move(ns)
/**
* Makes a new named Layer
* @ param the document to add the layer
* @ param layer name
* 
25
Replies
Do you want to move a page item up in the containing layer’s stacking order?
Here there are 3 page items in Layer 1 (there’s only 1 Document Layer). To move the selected item up 1 place in Layer 1’s stacking order (there is also s.bringToFront(), s.sendToBack(), s.sendBackward()):
var s = app.activeDocument.selection[0]
s.bringForward()
Something seems off.
Is sort incorrect? Or is bringToFront() not working right?
The expected result should be 4 > 3 > 2 > 1.
But it appears to be jumbled.
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var items = doc.selection;
sel = items;
if (sel.length > 1) {
sortObj(sel);
}
for (var i = 0; i < sel.length; i++) {
bt(sel[i])
alert(sel[i]);
};
function bt(s) {
s.bringForward()
}
function sortObj(s) {
s.sort(function (a, b) {
var aBounds = a.visibleBounds;
var bBounds = b.visibleBounds;
if (aBounds[1] < bBounds[1] ) {
return -1;
} else if (aBounds[1] > bBounds[1] ) {
return 1;
}
else {
return bBounds[0] - aBounds[0];
}
});
}
Sorroy. I didn't describe it clearly.
First sort the elements by their left edges.
After sorting, stack them.
According to the diagram I've provided, Figure 1 should correspond to sel[0], but it appears the final selection has shifted to Figure 2.
This seems to be correct.
I used the previous sorting method again.
setItemStackingOrder(sortByLeftTop, doc, sel);
sortObj(sel);
function sortObj(sel) {
sel.sort(function (a, b) {
var aBounds = a.visibleBounds;
var bBounds = b.visibleBounds;
if (aBounds[1] < bBounds[1]) {
return -1;
} else if (aBounds[1] > bBounds[1]) {
return 1;
}
else {
return bBounds[0] - aBounds[0];
}
});
}
@m1b It now appears unrelated to s[1]. Whoever was at the top of the stack before sorting will remain at the top after sorting.
I used item.bringToFront(firstItem);
But that probably isn't the crucial part.
It doesn't matter now though—it works well enough as is, and that detail isn't important.
I just need them sorted so I can see which images are present.
One thing to note is the sendTo and bringTo functions would not work if the objects are on different layers. Are you assuming the user does not use multiple item Layers?
To move between Layers you have to use the move() function. This doesn’t move anything if the objects are on different Layers
var s = app.activeDocument.selection[0]
s.bringForward()
alert("Selection is on " + s.itemLayer.name + " Layer")
how do I use it?
var d = app.activeDocument
//a selection on the bottom layer
var s = d.selection[0]
//this doesn’t do anything because s
//is the only object on the item Layer named "Gray"
s.bringForward()
//make a new layer
var ns = makeLayer(d, "New Gray Layer");
//moves the selected page item to New Gray Layer
// note that the parameter has to be a reference to an item Layer
s.move(ns)
/**
* Makes a new named Layer
* @ param the document to add the layer
* @ param layer name
* @ return the new layer
*/
function makeLayer(d, n){
if (d.layers.itemByName(n).isValid) {
return d.layers.itemByName(n);
} else {
return d.layers.add({name:n});
}
}
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