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How can I create poly coords from an AI file?

Jul 25, 2012 2:06 PM

Tags: #illustrator #poly-coords #image-map

I have an ai file containing a U.S. map with each state on its own layer and path. I need to be able to create the poly coords for each state for use in an image map.

Is this possible and how? Thank you in advance for assistance.

1670 Views 23 Replies Latest reply: CarlosCanto, Jul 27, 2012 11:08 AM

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1. Mylenium,

Jul 25, 2012 11:24 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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Image maps for web design are handled inside the HTML code. That being so, nobody would use genuine detailed vector data for it. Simply re-trace the contours with a few points in Dreamweaver or whatever web design tool you use. If that's nort good enough, an SVG with interaction might also work.

Mylenium

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2. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 26, 2012 10:06 AM in reply to Mylenium

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Mylenium

Thank you for the reply. Understood, however, I am asking if there is a tool that can convert the paths of an intricate state border to poly coords e.g { 110,2, 110,58......} as they relate to my image which is a smart object from illustrator. I am hoping I do not have to create these cooridinates manually, right?

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3. [Jongware],

Jul 26, 2012 10:28 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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http://forums.adobe.com/message/4388468#4388468

(There should be a longer example floating around this forum, perhaps someone else remembers the crucial magic phrase to google it.)

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4. Larry G. Schneider,

Jul 26, 2012 11:54 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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This seems to work from simple tests.

#target illustrator
 
var textFile = File('~/Desktop/AI.txt');
 
var idoc = app.activeDocument;
 
var idocText = '';
 
var layers = idoc.layers;
 
for (j=0; j<layers.length; j++) {
    var ipath = layers[j].pathItems[0];
    var itext = idoc.layers[j].textFrames.add();
    var pp = [];    
 
    for (i=0; i<ipath.pathPoints.length; i++) {
        pp.push(ipath.pathPoints[i].anchor);
    }
    itext.contents = layers[j].name + ":" +  ("\r") + pp.join ("\r");
 
    pp = null;
}
 
for (var i = 0; i < idoc.textFrames.length; i++)
     {
          idocText += idoc.textFrames[i].contents + '\r';
     }
 
 
textFile.open('e');
 
textFile.write(docText);
 
textFile.close();
 
idoc.textFrames.removeAll();

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5. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 26, 2012 1:57 PM in reply to Larry G. Schneider

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Larry, thank you for your response.

I am using this script and selected one state at a time for testing:

var idoc = app.activeDocument;
var sel = idoc.selection;
 
for (j=0; j<sel.length; j++) {
    var ipath = sel[j];
    var itext = idoc.textFrames.add();
    var pp = [];   
 
    for (i=0; i<ipath.pathPoints.length; i++) {
        pp.push(ipath.pathPoints[i].anchor);
    }
    itext.contents = pp.join ("\r");
    itext.left = ipath.left + ipath.width + 2;
    itext.top = ipath.top;
 
    pp = null;
}

That gets me output like this:

-530.1064453125,119.90087890625
-527.20166015625,119.49658203125
-522.2373046875,118.70068359375
<snip>

The only problem is that that first coordinate -530.1064453125 is really at pixel point location x 243.15, y 79.91. What is -530.nnnnn?

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6. Larry G. Schneider,

Jul 26, 2012 2:03 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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Ai uses points as its internal referencing system and the 0,0 point is at the upper left of the page. A point is 1/72 of an inch (from Postscript page description language).

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7. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 26, 2012 2:32 PM in reply to Larry G. Schneider

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Is there a way to force pixels values vs. points?

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8. Larry G. Schneider,

Jul 26, 2012 2:40 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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As far as AI is concerned thay are the same. How are you determining the x and y your are describing?

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9. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 26, 2012 2:57 PM in reply to Larry G. Schneider

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I open the .ai file, select the state washington, then I run the above script I posted.

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10. Larry G. Schneider,

Jul 26, 2012 3:11 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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No, I mean your pixel x-y.

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11. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 26, 2012 3:18 PM in reply to Larry G. Schneider

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I set the units of measure to pixels, I have the info window open and then using the mask tool, i set the crosshairs on the anchor point ant look at the values in the info window.

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12. Larry G. Schneider,

Jul 26, 2012 4:34 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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The number you see are given in a coordinate system which reads from bottom left (the old way); the numbers from the script are from the top left. So for the corresponding you have to add a minus number equal to the height of your artboard. Makes lots of sense, right?

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13. CarlosCanto,

Jul 26, 2012 6:42 PM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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you should get something like this, try it with a simple shape, to see how it works.
look at the second coords (0, -67) and note the position of the 9-point Ref point in the Transform panel, it gives you X: 0 pt, Y: 67 pt. As Larry mentioned, the sign difference is due to a change in the system from CS4 to CS5, I did not write logic to deal with it at that time.

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14. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 8:08 AM in reply to CarlosCanto

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Here is what I get. What do I need to do my script to get the pixel x,y coords. I am using Illustrator CS5 15.02

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15. CarlosCanto,

Jul 27, 2012 9:54 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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the script shows "global" position, you probably have "Artboard Rulers". Right-Click on the Rulers to make sure.

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16. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 9:59 AM in reply to CarlosCanto

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When I right click on the rulers, 'Change to Artboard Rulers' is grayed out.

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17. CarlosCanto,

Jul 27, 2012 10:08 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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mmh...create a new document and add a simple shape to see if it works, and if it does check the rulers if they're still greyed out.

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18. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 10:11 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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Yes, still greyed out after creating new document and right-clicking on rulers

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19. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 10:24 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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I sent the file to my personal mac, work is PC, and opened the file. When I right click on the rulers it has an option 'Change to Global Rulers' but left it alone. When I run the script, I get the same results as on the PC. (-530.106....)

This makes me want to ask, could the layer or layers have a setting for the artboard?

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20. CarlosCanto,

Jul 27, 2012 10:27 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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not that I know of, if you change to Global, does it work as expected?

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21. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 10:34 AM in reply to CarlosCanto

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no, grrrr however when I create a new doucment on the mac I am returned the right results (see image) - so, is there some setting in preferences on my PC.

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22. TheRealUpWorks,

Jul 27, 2012 10:51 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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Got it!

In this order:

I went into preferences, changed units to pixels, general was set to points.

Clicked on Artboard, set the reference point to the top left.

Set the ruler starting point? to the edge of the top left corner of artboard.

Ran the script and bang! The correct, or rather, preferred output has been achieved.

Thank you:
CarlosCanto

Larry G. Schneider

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23. CarlosCanto,

Jul 27, 2012 11:08 AM in reply to TheRealUpWorks

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cool, you're welcome

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