Script to place circles at random locations of the page to cover text

[Coco35822965oiav]

Hey! I'm trying to wrtie a script where I can generate a certain number of white circles(I'm not sure of this number yet, I'm hoping there is a way to make this number variable?) at random loactions of the page like shown in the photo. Basically with the variable number of circles, I want to be able to achieve the different levels/stages of the text being eaten away(more circles means less text), and eventually to a point that makes the text not readable.

I'm very new to scripting, is this achievable by any means? Many thanks in advance!

[Marc Autret · Accepted solution]

Fun exercise! Here's one approach:

function addCircles(/*(num|str)=auto*/diameter,/*uint=auto*/count,  pg,DX,DY,dm,pp,shft,dx,dy,k,t)
//----------------------------------
// Add masking circles on the active page, that is, [Paper]-filled ovals.
// - diameter [opt] : diameter of each circle, either as a number in default
//   measurement unit, or as a val-unit string e.g. "1.5mm" or "28pt". If not
//   supplied, some diameter is automatically determined.
// - count [opt] : number of circles. If not supplied, a huge count is taken.
// => undef
{
   pg = 'LayoutWindow'==(t=app.properties.activeWindow||0).constructor.name && (t.properties.activePage);
   if( !(pg||0).isValid ){ alert("Please, make a page active."); return; };

   // [REM] Assumes DX,DY have the same MU.
   t = pg.bounds;
   DX = t[3]-t[1];
   DY = t[2]-t[0];

   // Diameter
   if( 'string' == typeof diameter && isFinite(t=parseFloat(diameter||'0')) && 0 < t )
   {
      dm = '?' != UnitValue(diameter).type && diameter;
   }
   else
   {
      t = +(diameter||0);
      dm = 0 <= t && t < (DX>>>1) && t < (DY>>>1) && t;
   }
   dm || (dm=Math.min(DX,DY)/10); // Fallback?

   // Oval props
   pp =
   {
      transparencySettings:null,
      strokeTransparencySettings:null,
      fillTransparencySettings:null,
      contentTransparencySettings:null,
      textWrapPreferences:{textWrapMode:+TextWrapModes.NONE},
      contentType:+ContentType.UNASSIGNED,
      geometricBounds:[0, 0, dm, dm],
      fillColor:'Paper',
      fillTint:-1,
      strokeWeight:0,
   };
   
   // Optimal count?
   (count>>>=0) || (t=parseFloat(dm), count=Math.round(DX*DY/(t*t)));
   
   // Create a set of sparse [dx,dy] shifts.
   // (Reduces the number of close circles.)
   const MR = Math.random;
   const SQ = 1.2*Math.sqrt(count); // must be > √count and < 0xFFFE
   const CHR = String.fromCharCode;
   for( shft={} ; shft.__count__ < count ; shft[k]=[ DX*dx, DY*dy ] )
   {
      do{ dx=MR(), dy=MR(), k=CHR( 1+(SQ*dx)>>>0, 1+(SQ*dy)>>>0) }
      while( shft.hasOwnProperty(k) );
   }

   // Generate the circles.
   with( Window.splash=new Window('palette','',void 0,{borderless:true}) )
   {
      margins=50;
      add('statictext',void 0,"Generating "+count+" circles...");
      show();
      update();
   }
   app.scriptPreferences.enableRedraw = false;
   for each( t in shft ) pg.ovals.add(pp).move(t);
   app.scriptPreferences.enableRedraw = true;
   Window.splash.hide();
};
app.doScript
(
   "addCircles( '25px', 200 )",
   void 0, void 0, +UndoModes.ENTIRE_SCRIPT,
   "Add Circles"
);

Best,

Marc