For such a situation I wrote my Batch processor script. My conception was to break a complex task into a number of simple steps (scripts). I think even a first-time scripter can write a simple script performing only one task. For example, you can find loads of scripts that do something similar here on the forum and adjust them to your needs. As to me it takes a couple of minutes to write it.
Here are a few examples:
Make layer invisible/visible
main();
function main() {
// The frontmost document
var doc = app.activeDocument;
// Get the layer by name
var layer = doc.layers.itemByName("Layer 1");
if (layer.isValid) { // If the layer exists, go on
layer.visible = false; // true -- make visible; false -- make invisible
}
}
Lock/unlock layer
main();
function main() {
// The frontmost document
var doc = app.activeDocument;
// Get the layer by name
var layer = doc.layers.itemByName("Layer 1");
if (layer.isValid) { // If the layer exists, go on
layer.locked = false; // true -- lock layer; false -- unlock layer
}
}
Export to PDF -- Exports a PDF file to the same location as the InDesign document.
main();
function main() {
// The frontmost document
var doc = app.activeDocument;
// PDF-preset name -- replace it with the preset name exacty as you see it in InDesign
var pdfPreset = app.pdfExportPresets.itemByName("[High Quality Print]");
// PDF file will be created in the same folder as the indd-file: the file path remains the same -- only extension is changed
var pdfFile = new File(doc.fullName.absoluteURI.replace(/indd$/, "pdf"));
// Export to PDF in foreground
doc.exportFile(ExportFormat.PDF_TYPE, pdfFile, false, pdfPreset);
}
I commented every line so even if you know nothing about scripting, you can edit them: change the layer name, pdf preset name, pdf file location, etc.
For the same job, I would like to find a way to merge InDesign files together into one editable document. |
Check out the Merge the two open documents by Dave Saunders. However, when I was testing it, I didn't get good results. I guess this happened because the documents I used for testing had some slight (visually unnoticeable) differences -- e.g. minor differences in styles. Six designers work for our magazine and everyone of them brings something of her own to the layout which is supposed to be strictly identical.
— Kas
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