Place command - ai files multiple artboards

Hi everyone,
When I use place command for .ai files that contain multiple artboards, InDesign does not import all fo them, just artboard nr.1.
Is there a way to specify / select the number of artboards I would liek to be placed, selectively?
Thanks,
Cristi

Thanks alot, I've failed to see that option. I am tired, I need a holly day. Two weeks form now on, i get one, after 6 month of work
Thank you guys.

Similar Messages

Importing .AI file (multiple artboards) into After Effects imports all layers?

Okay, so I've been trying to figure out this issue that I am having but the problem is a bit wordy to explain.
What I want to do: Import an Illustrator file, that is a single artboard from a multiple artboard file into After Effects and ONLY import the layers from that artboard.
What is happening: Artboard 1 with shape 1, artboard 2 with shape 2, and artboard 3 with shape 3. When I export them (Save as --> .ai --> Save each artboard as a separate file), in .ai the layers are correct (ie only shape 1 on artboard 1), but when I import the .ai into AE, artboard 1 has shape 1, shape 2 and shape 3 (they are all separate layers).
How does Illustrator determine what is or isn't in an artboard? I am seeing the other layers but they are only 1x1 in AE.
I am using Illustrator CS6 and AE CS6 and I've tried it both on Mac and PC, and haven't gotten it to work. The weird thing is that it WAS working correctly before.

I have (hypothetically), a three layer file each with a rectangle. Each rectangle is on a separate artboard. When I save each artboard as a separate .ai file (ie "Save as --> save each artboard as separate file"), in each .ai file, only the layers in each artboard are in the separate ai files:
artboard_01.ai only has layer with rect 1,
artboard_02.ai only has layer with rect 2,
artboard_03.ai only has layer with rect 3,
This is good, BUT when I import into After Effects, all three layers appear in each comp generated from the imported .ai files
comp of artboard_01.ai has layer with rect 1, layer for rect 2 (no content), and layer for rect 3 (no content).
comp of artboard_02.ai has layer with rect 1(no content), layer for rect 2, and layer for rect 3 (no content).
comp of artboard_03.ai has layer with rect 1(no content), layer for rect 2 (no content), and layer for rect 3.

Is there a way of addressign text files other than through the place command?

I'm working with a large document that has multiple records - each record has 2 spreads of master pages - tha tis 1 spread and then another - so 4 master pages in all. I'm preparign individual tagged text files for each of these. I find it really onerous to have to click on teh frame and "place" each individual text fiel. Is tehre not a way to invoke/import/place a text file that doesn't involve mousing around and often clicking on teh wrong thing - thereby generatign a new frame and blowing everything to smithreeens?
AS an aside - I've drawn the followign conclusions about workign with frames on master pages: when text is asked to flow form one master spread onto anotehr - it won't work - CS4 crashes or simply doesn't flow the text correclty - I've downloaded an excellent plugin from http://www.rorohiko.com/ called text stitch - that eanble stitchign of text frames and htis seems ot work alhtough it still requires intervention of having to actualy click on teh overflow red + indicator on teh last frame of the spread generated by teh first master pages and tehn clicking on the first frame of the 2nd spread generated by the 2nd master.
Also - what gives with questions aobut tagged text - I've noticed that 4 postings about this have gone unanswered - not jsut mine but others as well?
Thanks for all your help - this forum is great!

Also - what gives with questions aobut tagged text - I've noticed that 4 postings about this have gone unanswered - not jsut mine but others as well?
I've been wondering that myself, but I've not had any answers for those posters. (I don't think that "Yeah, I used tagged text in Quark or PageMaker in the 90s, but these days anything that I would have wanted to do with tagged text would be easier to do with XML" would be very helpful.)

Place command not appearing in file menu

I click file and do not see the Place Command so I can insert picture. Where else could it be?

Hold on a sec. Are you saying it appears in the File menu, but not in the context menu?
That's normal -- I've been asking for years for Place to appear in context menus...
Here's a script written a few years ago by Gerald Singelmann that will add the command to the context menu:
//Add "Place" to the context menu by Gerald Singelmann
//Place this script into the "Startup Scripts" Folder inside the scripts folder in the app folder.
#targetengine "session"
ContextPlace();
function ContextPlace(){
var myResult = true;
if(myResult == true){
var myLayoutContextMenu = app.menus.item("$ID/RtMouseLayout");
var myBeforeDisplayListener = myLayoutContextMenu.addEventListener("beforeDisplay", myBeforeDisplayHandler, false);
function myBeforeDisplayHandler(myEvent){
if(app.documents.length != 0){
if(app.selection.length == 1){
switch(app.selection[0].constructor.name){
case "Rectangle":
case "Oval":
case "Polygon":
case "GraphicLine":
case "TextFrame":
//Add the menu item if it does not already exist.
if(myCheckForMenuItem(myLayoutContextMenu, "Place...") == false){
myMakeMenuItem();
break;
default:
if(myCheckForMenuItem(myLayoutContextMenu, "Place...") == true){
myLayoutContextMenu.menuItems.item("Place...").remove();
function myCheckForMenuItem(myMenu, myString){
var myResult = false;
try{
var myMenuItem = myMenu.menuItems.item(myString);
myMenuItem.name;
myResult = true
catch(myError){}
//alert("Menu item found? " + myResult);
return myResult;
function myCheckForScriptMenuItem(myString){
var myResult = false;
try{
var myScriptMenuAction = app.scriptMenuActions.item(myString);
myScriptMenuAction.name;
myResult = true
catch(myError){}
//alert("Script menu action found? " + myResult);
return myResult;
function myMakeMenuItem(){
if(myCheckForScriptMenuItem("Place...") == false){
//alert("Making a new script menu action!");
var myMenuAction = app.scriptMenuActions.add("Place...");
var myEventListener = myMenuAction.eventListeners.add("onInvoke", myEventHandler, false);
var myPlaceMenuItem = app.menus.item("$ID/RtMouseLayout").menuItems.add(app.scriptMenuActions.item("Place..."));
function myEventHandler(myEvent){
//alert("Got to myEventHandler!");
if(app.selection.length == 1){
switch(app.selection[0].constructor.name){
case "TextFrame":
case "GraphicLine":
case "Rectangle":
case "Oval":
case "Polygon":
var myFile = File.openDialog ("Place file...", undefined, false);
app.selection[0].place(myFile);
break;
} else {
alert("Please select only one frame.");
Copy the code above and paste into a plain text editor like Notepad. Save as type "all files" and add the .jsx extension. It should be placed into the application \Scripts\Startup Sripts subfolder and it will run when ID starts up. The folder should exist in CS5, but if not you can add it.
Here's one by Dirk (I think Becker) that does the same thing to add No Break:
#target "InDesign"
/* This script will copy the existing menu action into a new menu item.
The "$ID/" strings ensure it will even work with localized versions of InDesign.
For permanent execution, save the script as startup script e.g. in a folder "path to InDesign/Scripts/new folder/startup scripts".
Dirk
( function () {
var anb = app.menus.itemByName("$ID/CharPanelPopup").menuItems.itemByName("$ID/Apply no break");
var atc = app.menus.itemByName("$ID/RtMouseText");
try {
atc.menuItems.itemByName(anb.name).remove();
} catch( ex ) {};
atc.menuItems.add(anb.associatedMenuAction,LocationOptions.BEFORE,atc.menuItems .itemByName("$ID/ClearAllOverrides"));
Do the same for it.

File Name in Place command changes

I have Photoshop CS5 on a MAC and have developed actions that use the Place command.
The initial recorded action places a file called FILENAME.PSD into the currently open file.
If I use the Finder to rename this external file (outside of Photoshop) to FILENAMEBAK.PSD, Photoshop will keep track of that change and change the file referenced in the Place command to FILENAMEBAK.PSD.   My intention was to back up the original file and replace it with another new revised file. If I then put another file with the name FILENAME.PSD into the same folder, Photoshop will still keep track of the original file regardless of the name change.
I have also tried doing this with Photoshop completely closed and yet it still keeps track of the original file. Surprisingly, I've even moved the original file to the trash and the Place command in the action will still find the file in the trash.
Can someone help me understand exactly how Photoshop is keeping track of the file? I always assumed actions were very unintelligent and simply followed the instructions as they were written but in this case, the action is somehow linked to the file and it's not just the file name.
Any help/insight is appreciated.
Rob

so I don't know when this changed
To be honest, It may never have changed. Whenever I have tried to have files linked with Actions I have pysically replaced the file. Its very easy to duplicate files by option (alt) dragging them, thats how you create a copy in OSX. You then can then over-save the original with an amended version.
Another probably better solution open to you in Photoshop, that you may not be aware of, is to use Smart Objects and the "Replace Contents" feature? This can also be automated.
The problem is that what the Action step says about the files location and name is in fact technically inaccurate if you move or rename the file.
What I'm trying to figure out now is how I can manage symbolic links manually. Or, is there something in Photoshop where I can force the action to look only at the specified name and path.
I don't have time now to experiment with this now, but you could try rebuilding the "Launch Services" or "Display of Folders content" databases. I don't know if this will work. But one word of warning - Its not a quick process!

How to open multiple artboard illustrator file in illustrator. Coz, whenever we open a multiple artboard file, illustrator provide an option to chose one artboard but does not allow opening of all artboards. Somebody may explain it

How to open multiple artboard illustrator file in illustrator. Coz, whenever we open a multiple artboard file, illustrator provide an option to chose one artboard but does not allow opening of all artboards. Somebody may explain it

Doug's got it right. It sounds like you are trying to open a later version file in an earlier version. This will always be handled as opening the PDF portion of the file. Try Googling AI_openMultiPagePDF for a script to open these or Resave from the newer version to the older.

Capturing file place command

I am placing a word document using File->Place command. I want to capture file place command as I have to show a dialog just after a file is placed.
I have a attached an observer to document.In Update() method I have written following code :
ICommand* cmd = (ICommand*)changedBy;
ClassID cmdClass = ::GetClass(cmd);
ICommand::CommandState cmdState = cmd->GetCommandState();
do
    if( cmdClass == kPlacePICmdBoss && cmdState == ICommand::kDone )
          this->ShowDialog();
}while(kFalse);
When I run my plugin dialog is shown two times after placing document ,which should not happen. How I show my dialog just once.
When debugging call is going inside if block two times.(Therefore 2 dialogs are shown).
Also when I place document other way round i.e first create a text frame and then place document . In that case I am not able to capture file place command.
I also tried to apply resonder for file place signal , but that is also working in only one case(i.e second one and not first one)
Please help me out.

I am placing a word document using File->Place command. I want to capture file place command as I have to show a dialog just after a file is placed.
I have a attached an observer to document.In Update() method I have written following code :
ICommand* cmd = (ICommand*)changedBy;
ClassID cmdClass = ::GetClass(cmd);
ICommand::CommandState cmdState = cmd->GetCommandState();
do
    if( cmdClass == kPlacePICmdBoss && cmdState == ICommand::kDone )
          this->ShowDialog();
}while(kFalse);
When I run my plugin dialog is shown two times after placing document ,which should not happen. How I show my dialog just once.
When debugging call is going inside if block two times.(Therefore 2 dialogs are shown).
Also when I place document other way round i.e first create a text frame and then place document . In that case I am not able to capture file place command.
I also tried to apply resonder for file place signal , but that is also working in only one case(i.e second one and not first one)
Please help me out.

Hello, I have CS3 and the "place" command in Illy will no longer place PS files. Can anyone help?

Hello, I have CS3 and the "place" command in Illy will no longer place PS files. Can anyone help?

Nobody can know. You have not provided any system info or other technical details like what your PSD files actually contain, their color modes and a ton of other things. Either way, ask in the AI forum and provide the necessary info.
Mylenium

"Place into Photoshop" with multiple files

I'd love to see this feature in Bridge
Import multiple files into an existing photoshop file (with a predetermined size ) as smart object layers in photoshop.
The options that Bridge currently offers falls short in 2 area
Load Files into Photoshop Layers-- does not import smart objects and creates a new photoshop file that ends up being as large as the largest imported file
Place into Photoshop--only lets you do one at a time
I need "Place into Photoshop" with multiple files
Is there a way to do this?
Thanks!!

I agree, placing multiple files into your PSD as smart objects all at once like InDesign would be a great (and logical) feature for Photoshop to have. The only "workaround" I have is to create a shortcut using Ctrt+Alt+Shift+D (which is not used by anything), so you can place pictures/graphics more quickly, rather than using the menu each time.

Creating Multiple Artboards

I thought I'd ask this question here seeing as how everything I've learned about scripting has come from the knowledge everyone shares here (granted, I've only been at this a couple weeks now).
I've searched and searched and have been trying for three days to figure this out but can't. I've studied the scripts at http://forums.adobe.com/message/5082308#5082308 and tried implementing them but to no avail.
Basically, I have a document with multiple layers, all containing only one item each. Every placedItem is a tiff, all having the same dimensions. There could be either 4 or 6 of them, no more, no less. I'd like to split them up onto multiple artboards but whenever I try, I keep getting multiple boards put in the same location, e.g., stacked on top of one another. I can't seem to figure out the gridByRow command.
So far, I'm using the following script (that I found here) to build the file, which I've altered to fit my needs.
function getFolder() {
          return Folder.selectDialog('Please select the folder to be imported:', Folder('~'));
function importFolderAsLayers(selectedFolder) {
          // if a folder was selected continue with action, otherwise quit
          var myDocument;
          if (selectedFolder) {
                    myDocument = app.documents.add();
                    var firstImageLayer = true;
                    var newLayer ;
                    var thisPlacedItem;
                    // create document list from files in selected folder
                    var imageList = selectedFolder.getFiles();
                    for (var i = 0; i < imageList.length; i++) {
                              // open each document in file list
                              if (imageList[i] instanceof File) {
                                        // get the file name
                                        var fName = imageList[i].name;
                                        // check for supported file formats
                                        //if( (fName.indexOf(".eps") == -1) ) {
                                        if( (fName.indexOf("Base.tif") == -1) && (fName.indexOf("White.tif") == -1) && (fName.indexOf("Process%20Yellow.tif") == -1) && (fName.indexOf("Process%20Cyan.tif") == -1) && (fName.indexOf("Process%20Magenta.tif") == -1) && (fName.indexOf("Process%20Black.tif") == -1)) {
                                                  // skip unsupported formats
                                                  continue;
                                        } else {
                                                  if( firstImageLayer ) {
                                                            newLayer = myDocument.layers[0];
                                                            firstImageLayer = false;
                                                  } else {
                                                            newLayer = myDocument.layers.add();
                                           // Give the layer the name of the image file
                                           newLayer.name = fName.substring(0, fName.indexOf(".") );
                                           // Place the image on the artboard
                                           thisPlacedItem = newLayer.placedItems.add()
                                           thisPlacedItem.file = imageList[i];
What I'd like to do at this point is spread these layers out to multiple artboards, which have been made based on the number of layers in the file.
3 days! I'm pulling my hair out. Can someone help? Using CS5.

There are a handfull of ways you could go about scripting this… Here is an example of how I would go about it…
I avoid EPS's files where ever possible so this works with TIFF's
As is… it expects all image files to be the same size ( it only tests the first one )
You could test each if the size varies… I've not included the layer sorting but that is easy stuff…
#target illustrator
getImages();
          Get files from user folder selection
function getImages() {
          var inFold, files, size;
          inFold = Folder.selectDialog( 'Wheres the TIFF files?' );
          if ( inFold != null ) {
                    files = inFold.getFiles( /\.tif$/i );
                    if ( files.length > 0 ) {
                              loadXMPLibrary();
                              size = getImageXMP( files[ 0 ] );
                              unloadXMPLibrary();
                              placeImages( files, size );
          } else { return; }
          The main AI document process
function placeImages( list, size ) {
          app.coordinateSystem =
          CoordinateSystem.ARTBOARDCOORDINATESYSTEM;
          var i, abd, cm, doc, item, lay;
          cm = 28.3464567;
          doc = app.documents.add(
                    DocumentColorSpace.CMYK,
                    size[ 0 ] * 72 + 7*cm,
                    size[ 1 ] * 72 + 7*cm,
                    list.length,
                    DocumentArtboardLayout.Row,
                    72
          item = doc.placedItems.add();
          item.file = list[ 0 ];
          item.position = [ 3.5*cm, -3.5*cm ];
          doc.layers[ 0 ].name = list[ 0 ].name.match( /(.*)\.[^\.]+$/ )[1];
          doc.artboards[ 0 ].name = doc.layers[ 0 ].name;
          for ( i = 1; i < list.length; i++ ) {
                    lay = doc.layers.add();
                    lay.name = list[ i ].name.match( /(.*)\.[^\.]+$/ )[1];
                    doc.artboards.setActiveArtboardIndex( i );
                    doc.artboards[ i ].name = lay.name;
                    item = doc.placedItems.add();
                    item.file = list[ i ];
                    item.position = [ 3.5*cm, -3.5*cm ];
          Get the XMP properties…
function getImageXMP( filePath ) {
          var height, width, res, xmpFile, xmp;
          xmpFile = new XMPFile( filePath.fsName, XMPConst.UNKNOWN, XMPConst.OPEN_FOR_READ );
          xmp = xmpFile.getXMP();
          res = xmp.getProperty( 'http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/', 'XResolution' );
          res = res.toString().split( '/' );
          res = res[0] / res[1];
          height = xmp.getProperty( 'http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/', 'ImageLength' );
          height = height / res;
          res = xmp.getProperty( 'http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/', 'YResolution' );
          res = res.toString().split( '/' );
          res = res[0] / res[1];
          width = xmp.getProperty( 'http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/', 'ImageWidth' );
          width = width / res;
          return [ width, height ];
          Load the XMP External Object Library
function loadXMPLibrary() {
          if ( !ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript ) {
                    try {
                                        ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = new ExternalObject( 'lib:AdobeXMPScript' );
                                        return true;
                    } catch(e) { return false; };
          Unload the XMP External Object Library
function unloadXMPLibrary() {
          if ( ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript ) {
                    try {
                              ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript.unload();
                              ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = undefined;
                              return true;
                    } catch(e) { return false; };

Multiple Artboards to PDF gives RAM error?

Hi,
I am currently wondering if I do something wrong or if there are some bug involved.
I am working on a walldesign, it will be printed as 3 pages. See attached file below.
I am using the artboards for aligning the background to match bleed and content correctly.
Below i used a .tif file as background that covers all area, Then i save PDF on each artboard,
I turn off Keep illustrator edit and Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4). All three pdfs seem to work, they open in Acrobat.
But doing it this way might corrupt the pdf?
If I import the pdf in photoshop it will give me RAM error. I have 64 gb ram in x64 enviroment so that should
not happen when the PDF is only 10 mb? On a similiar project the printers also had trouble placing the pdf
in their printing system also complaining on RAM? Or error on "Cant rasterize the image".
If i make 3 smaller backgrounds and remove all artboards and only have 1 for each part, then the above
error don't occur and everything is fine. So i guess its either multiple artboards or that the background is to large
in someway or is kept outside the trimarea in the pdf so it stays huge. I thought everything outside the cutting area
would be cropped away if I save without illustrator edit. The pdf size seem to tell me that it has cropped everything
outside. But the ram error will occur :|
Any ideas or tips?

Here is a link to a crashing pdf:
http://www.reduna.com/download/crashing.pdf
It wont render in Chrome either, and trying to open in Photoshop gives me:
Could not complete the Open command because there is not enough memory(RAM)
It contains the left top part from the earlier post/photo.
Sincerely
Nicklas

Place 65 Word files

G5; OS 10.5.4; CS 3
I've received 65 Word files that I have to place as a single story. Normally I would tell my client to put them together into one file but in this case I cannot.
I can select multiple files to place but they will not flow continuously. When I click to place them, only the first file flows while the cursor still shows as loaded with text. When I click at the end of the first file nothing happens and the cursor now shows as empty.
I'm guessing there is some modifier that I have to use but I can't figure what it is.
Thanks.

Initiate the place command while your cursor is still active at the bottom of the target text box. It will keep adding the Word docs to the text box you are already working in.
* Edit: Just realized you wanted to do this in one operation. I have never tried this...will check it out when I get back and post an update.

Did CS4's multiple artboards kill any crop area capabilities?

I'm still gobsmacked by the multiple artboard stuff... but I see my favorite CS3 feature, multiple crop areas is gone (or at least appears to be gone).
I came to depend rather heavily on multiple crop areas -- so I'm anxious that some facet of them cannot be replicated by the multiple artboards.
The interface to manage multiple artboards is very very similar... certainly enhanced in some ways too.
What confuses me about them is a statement I saw somewhere that each artboard has it's own layers, symbols, swatches. If so, then this would be a loss for me, as I depended on having one meta-infrastructure for all print crop areas.
Another aspect I have not seen explained very much is whether artboards can overlap. If each artboard has its own layers, and you can have overlapping artboards, I don't really see how artwork that overlaps both boards is handled.
So maybe the statement I saw about not sharing document meta-infrastructure across artboards is false?
I'm definitely handicapped by not having the app installed yet.
envelope

Save for web and device never gave the option to save as psd?
But is you are using save for the web ten under image size there is the option to clip to artboard which will give you your 1920 x 1080.
However if you want to export it as a Photoshop and do not want the art outside of the art board to be exported then you can check the option at the bottom left of the bottom left og the export to photoshop dialog to use artboards.
I will point out that if you use this option you will notice it gives you the option to export all the artboards meaning if you place all of your previous files in one ai document you will only have to do one export for all the files you don't even need an action though an action to place the files in a document might save you yet more time.
So they made an improvement that works much better but it requires that you look a bit more carefully to find the feature even though it is right there in front of everyone. So always look for something that is f=different from before that is usually the answer.
I hope this is what you are looking for.
There maybe times when you want the art outside of the document to be included so now you have a clear choice.

How about a 'place' command?

When I'm building layouts in Photoshop, I love to use the 'Place' command that is available under the 'File' menu in Bridge. I just select the image I want to add, select 'Place', and it is dropped right into my layout AS A SMART OBJECT, and ready for scaling. Currently Lightroom allows opening multiple files as layers, but this doesn't allow you to open them as layers in an already-open document. It's great that Bridge has this feature, but that's the only reason I use Bridge at all, and it would be great to not have the extra program running just for one little task.

Sounds like a good idea. You can submit it as a feature request here:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform
That will help ensure the folks in charge of adding new features into LR see it.

How do you resize multiple artboards in Illustrator at the same time?

Hi,
This is a question that has been bugging me for a while. I'm currently on CS6 but I'm looking for a solution that can also work on CS5 for a co-worker.
Having multiple artboards has been established since CS4 and I have yet to see an official way of resizing multiple artboards, if anything there should at least be a plug-in.
As great of a feature it is, it seems a little short sited. If one has multiple artboards one should be able to manage multiple artboards, right?
I totally love having multiple artboards but I should be able to resize and manage multiple artboards as well.
This is great for building icon sets but how can I resize the set all at once?
I was considering trying to do an action but odds are I still would have to select an artboard one by one to do which doesn't save much time if you have like 30 artboards to apply this to.
I don't even see a batch render for artboards and Photoshop has that for its files.
I'm well aware of the solution that is displayed here:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1093465
Which is a script. I'm not sure where I'm supposed to put it.

mec_os wrote:
you can resize the artwork on export. no need to draw it to size.
Unfotunately when I looked into that does not seem to be the case. However I can resize when I "Save for Web" but that appears to only work for one artboard at a time. I can Save As or Export multipe artboards but not adjust the size. Believe me I would be happy if I could resize multiple artboards upon export but apparently that is not an option.
mec_os wrote:
you can put the scripts in illustrator's folder/presets/en_us(or whatever localization you have)/scripts. you can then access them in illustrator from the menubar/File/Scripts/
there are also applications that will let you execute scripts with assigned shortcuts. i believe sparks is free.
Thanks for pointing out the location.
Do I save it as a txt file or something else?
(I was guessing that I would copy the script into notepad or something)

Place command - ai files multiple artboards

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