Hi, we'll be getting a laser engraver, and have been considering Illustrator to format the designs. Some of our engravings will include serial numbers. So I was wondering (having never used Illustrator) if I could create a file containg, say 10 identical engravings - except for an automatically incrementing serial number (I would set the first serial number, and the 9 others would follow). The 10 engravings would be applied to 10 similar parts simultaneously.
Am I looking into the right kind of software?
Thanks!
A variable of that nature would require a data base that generates the sequence and a script to update the variable in Illustrator.
However you could set up the numbers manually save it as a data set do the same for the next sequence of 10 numbers and save that as a data set and so on then when you load the art which can also be a variable, then load the data sets but this is worthless if the sequences differ from art to art and when printing you will have to do ten at a time oose the data set and print again.
You can script this but it takes a very good script creator to do this. I am sure it would not be cheap.
There might be a plug in.
This page describes two AI Javascripts that can be used to create serial numbers.
Of course, it's also a trivial matter to use the Fill Down command of whatever spreadsheet program you already have on your computer (Excel, etc.) to generate a list of serialized numbers, select the column, copy, and paste into Illustrator:
JET
Thanks for trying anyway. I am on Windows. I am pretty good with Excel and found a way to do it. Wanted to try your help as well. I have never used the Variables Panel much in Illustrator I am now discovering that it is a powerful tool. I like InDesigns DataMerge features but some times more than what I need. I find I have better control over intrecate graphics if I just keep them in Illustrator. Some times I link my Illustrator files in InDesign and use DataMerge, and it works great. Exploring the Variables Panel more and experimenting I see I don't always have to combine Illustrator and InDesign, I can just use Illustrator. Thanks again!
Sure. It's been several years since I used that tool. It simply converted the Excel text file to an XML file compatible with AI. Glad you found a solution. There seems to be very little documentation on that portion of AI.
FWIW… Here are a few samples of variable graphics I did, using AI and PSD several years ago. The skater card was done exclusively in AI and could not have been accomplished using InDesign data merge.
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific