Adobe: Photoshop and Illustrator Scripting

Overview

Our Photoshop and Illustrator Scripting course shows users how to automate workflows by creating scripts using the JavaScript programming language. The course assumes little or no prior programming experience but requires a good knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator features.

This training may be available onsite; please contact us if you are interested.

Audience

Delegates should have a good working knowledge of Photoshop & Illustrator.

Course Outline

An Introduction to Scripting

• Scripting with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Install Scripting Support for Photoshop
• Run a Sample Script in Photoshop and Illustrator
• Storing Scripts

Programming with Javascript

• Understanding JavaScript Syntax
• Understanding Programming Style
• Declare Variables
• Using Operators
• Increment and Decrement a Variable
• Control Program Flow Using Conditionals
• Using Arrays
• Using While Loops
• Using For Loops
• Create a Function
• Pass Parameters to a Function
• Return a Value from a Function
• Using Objects, Properties, and Methods
• Retrieve a Range of Characters from a String
• Convert a String into an Array
• Communicate with the User
• Add Comments

Working with Documents

• Understanding the Adobe Scripting Object Model
• Understanding Coordinate Systems in Photoshop and Illustrator
• Set the Ruler Units in Photoshop
• Create a New Document in Photoshop
• Create a New Document in Illustrator
• Reference the Active Document in Photoshop and Illustrator
• Switch Between Open Documents
• Manipulate a Document in Photoshop
• Using the Document Meta-Data in Photoshop
• Work with Selections in Photoshop
• Work with the Clipboard in Photoshop

Working with Layers

• Create a New Art Layer in Photoshop
• Create a New Layer Set in Photoshop
• Manipulate Layers in Photoshop
• Duplicate a Layer in Photoshop
• Apply a Filter to a Layer in Photoshop
• Create a New Layer in Illustrator
• Retrieve a List of Visible Layers in Photoshop and Illustrator

Working with Path Items in Illustrator

• Create Path Items
• Create Ellipses
• Create Rectangles
• Create Stars and Polygons
• Define and Apply Color Values
• Manipulate Path Items
• Work with Selections
• Create Groups
• Create and Place Symbols
• Create Gradients
• Edit Gradient Stop Points
• Working with Compound Paths
• Create Clipping Masks

Text in Photoshop

• Create a Text Layer
• Retrieve the Name of a Font
• Set the Font of a Text Item
• Change the Color of a Text Item
• Create a Drop Shadow Effect

Text in Illustrator

• Add Text to a Document
• Create Path and Area Text
• Manipulate Part of a Text Item
• Retrieve a List of Available Fonts
• Set the Font of a Text Item
• Flow Text Between Paths
• Wrap Text Around Other Objects
• Set Paragraph Options

Working with the File System In Photoshop and Illustrator

• Understanding the File System
• Open or Create a File and Folder
• Save the Active Document in Photoshop and Illustrator
• Retrieve a Listing of Files in a Folder
• Read a File
• Write Data to a File
• Place a File in Illustrator

Working with Variables And Datasets in Illustrator

• Understanding Variables and Datasets in Illustrator
• Create a Text String Variable
• Create Visibility and Linked File Variables
• Create a New Dataset
• Export and Import Variable Libraries
• Edit a Variable Library by Hand

Exporting And Printing

• Save a Document as PDF and EPS from Illustrator
• Create an Illustrator Export Object
• Save a JPEG from Photoshop
• Print a Document from Illustrator
• Print a Document from Photoshop

Batch Processing in Photoshop and Illustrator

• Using Modular Scripting Techniques
• Batch Process Open Documents
• Batch Process a Directory Tree
• Remove Unused Symbols, Swatches, and Styles in Illustrator
• Create Patterns Using Math in Illustrator
• Create a Report of All Fonts in an Illustrator Document
• Create a Report of All Linked Files in an Illustrator Document Export Files from Datasets in Illustrator
• Create Mailing Labels from a Text File in Illustrator
• Export All Visible Layers in Photoshop
• Change Every Font in a Photoshop Document
• Create an HTML Gallery in Photoshop
• Resize All Images in a Folder with Photoshop
• Record Scripts for Photoshop with the Scripting Listener Plug-in
• Make Scripting Listener Code into Functions for Photoshop
• Using JavaScript with Photoshop Actions

Debugging Scripts in Photoshop and Illustrator

• Detect and Handle Errors
• Enable the JavaScript Debugger in Photoshop
• Enable the JavaScript Debugger in Illustrator
• Using the Debugger
• Using Try-Catch Statements