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SiggieSputnik
SiggieSputnik
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Find & Replace Text - Styling Problem (CS5 Mac)

Jul 19, 2012 9:58 AM

Hi everyone,

 

     Is there a way when finding and replacing a text string to style the block of copy. My problem is that I have some color codes given by the customer that now need to be converted to our internal color matches on our production drawings.

 

The original string of text looks like this:

Holder: P1 (Metallic Silver)

 

What I’m getting when I go to replace this string is:

Holder: Natural Satin

 

What I want is:

Holder: Natural Satin

 

I do not want the replaced text to be italicized. I'm thinking since the original string ends with an italic style that the replacement string is also italicized. There are about 50 pages of drawings with about 10 colors on the job and some pages have them entered in more than one place. So that's a minimum of 500 entries and defititely more considereing the multiple places these are called out. I'd really rather not have to copy and paste all of these by hand. I'm use to FreeHand, which would respect the font styling of pasted text in the find and replace diaglog.

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated. Work around if it cant be done natively?

 

Thanks

630 Views   6 Replies   Latest reply: SiggieSputnik, Jul 19, 2012 1:56 PM
 
Replies
  • [scott w]
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    1. [scott w],
    Jul 19, 2012 10:28 AM   in reply to SiggieSputnik
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    Illustrator simply does not have any method to find and replace paragraph or character styles. It's just not that robust when searching through text. You could alter the style, if one is applied, or substitue the font for the non-italic face via Find Font... but that may create issues in other areas of the any piece.

     

    Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like you'll have to manually remove the italics.

     
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  • SiggieSputnik
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    2. SiggieSputnik,
    Jul 19, 2012 10:35 AM   in reply to [scott w]
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    Thanks for you help. I was pretty sure that was going to be the answer. All I have to say is I keep finding the "stellar" things that can't be done in Illustrator. ... Ridiculous for a "pro" typesetting app.

     
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  • [scott w]
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    3. [scott w],
    Jul 19, 2012 10:52 AM   in reply to SiggieSputnik
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    Indesign is the typesettign app.. Illustrator is, surprisingly enough, the illustration app.

     

    What you are seeking is a no-brainer in Indesign.

     
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  • SiggieSputnik
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    4. SiggieSputnik,
    Jul 19, 2012 11:04 AM   in reply to [scott w]
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    Well, I'm an illustrator and a typesetter. I work for a large sign company. I need to do both. If Adobe would merge the functions of the two together would be ideal. I guess that would kill a double revenue stream and will never happen. Kludge at best.

     
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  • Monika Gause
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    5. Monika Gause,
    Jul 19, 2012 1:35 PM   in reply to SiggieSputnik
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    Actiually there is a possibility (at least there was)

    http://kelsocartography.com/blog/?tag=find-and-replace-fonts

     

    The script is still available, but you'll have to ask for a version with a new expiration date.

     
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  • SiggieSputnik
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    6. SiggieSputnik,
    Jul 19, 2012 1:56 PM   in reply to Monika Gause
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    Thanks Monika,

     

         I downloaded that earlier today and yes realized that the beta is over after installing it. I joined the mailing list for updates, but it looks like the script hasn't been updated in nearly 3 years. I'm not sure if something in one of the newer versions of Illustrator broke the script and the script writer decided not to update it anymore? I guess I could email them, but seems weird that if there were an updated version that it would be posted on the site also. I'd hate to pester the author. Seems like an extremely useful tool if it would do what I need. I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask anyway. I don't mind supporting developers too by paying for the script. This is something that I use all the time. I've spent about an hour and a half copying and pasting these text blocks for something that truly take about 2 minutes to do with a proper find and replace.

     

    I do appreciate your input though, it's greatly appreciated.

     
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