Hi,
I want to resize 4 drawn rectangles of different random widths so that they all have the same width, but it has to fit in the space of their current position, ie when you select them all. I also want them distributed equally in the same space.
Can I do this in Indesign?
1 Correct answer
Just for fun!
You have this:
… and you want that [4 mm space after resizing]:
… So Play Rock'n Roll! ["undo" in option!]
...app.doScript("main()", ScriptLanguage.javascript, undefined, UndoModes.FAST_ENTIRE_SCRIPT, "Resize and Distribute! …");
function main()
{
var myDoc = app.activeDocument;
var mySel = app.selection;
if (mySel.length == 0) exit();
else {
var myGroup = myDoc.groups.add(mySel);
var myGB = myGroup.geometricBounds;
myGroup.ungroup
22
Replies
You would need to do it in two steps. You have three requirements: Same width, the group keeps current width, and equal spacing.
You can't change the width with the Align panel. What width do you want them to be, that's ambiguous right now?
(1) Pick the width you want, select each one and set the W (width) value on the Control panel, keeping the one on the left and right at their current position.
(2) Now select all four rectangles. Using the Align panel (Window > Output & Layout > Align), select Align to Selection:
Then click Distribute Horizontal Centers:
Result:
NOTE: Illustration doesn't show equal width. I added that after I re-read your posting.
Nobody needs to explain that he or she CAN use simple math in Indesign, surely.
Random gap means any gap that is consistent/same between the objects.
Let me explain. You take the group (of x width), made even with Obi-wan script, to your chosen group width (y) by dragging the handle of the group selection, and applying the script again to get the old gap back.
I'm sorry you don't find it useful, but I am also sure you'll keep it safely in your script folder 
.
Just for fun!
You have this:
… and you want that [4 mm space after resizing]:
… So Play Rock'n Roll! ["undo" in option!]
app.doScript("main()", ScriptLanguage.javascript, undefined, UndoModes.FAST_ENTIRE_SCRIPT, "Resize and Distribute! …");
function main()
{
var myDoc = app.activeDocument;
var mySel = app.selection;
if (mySel.length == 0) exit();
else {
var myGroup = myDoc.groups.add(mySel);
var myGB = myGroup.geometricBounds;
myGroup.ungroup();
//---------------------------------- ENTER SPACE (mm) ---------------------------
var mySpace = 4;
var myCalculationW = (myGB[3] - myGB[1] - (((mySel.length) - 1) * mySpace))/(mySel.length) + "mm";
var myNewWidth = UnitValue(myCalculationW).as('pt');
for (i = 0; i < mySel.length; i++) {
var mySelGB = mySel.geometricBounds;
var myCalculationH = (mySelGB[2] - mySelGB[0]) + "mm";
var myCurrentHeight = UnitValue(myCalculationH).as('pt');
if (mySel.geometricBounds[1] == myGB[1]) mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.LEFT_CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myCurrentHeight]);
if (mySel.geometricBounds[3] == myGB[3]) mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.RIGHT_CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myCurrentHeight]);
mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myCurrentHeight]);
}
myDoc.distribute(mySel, DistributeOptions.HORIZONTAL_SPACE, AlignDistributeBounds.ITEM_BOUNDS);
myDoc.align(mySel, AlignOptions.TOP_EDGES, AlignDistributeBounds.ITEM_BOUNDS);
}
}
If 1 click is too much for you, that means you're much lazier than me! 
(^/)
Always for Fun! 
Width and Space equal in the original area! and gift: we choose the new height!
app.doScript("main()", ScriptLanguage.javascript, undefined, UndoModes.FAST_ENTIRE_SCRIPT, "Resize and Distribute! …");
function main()
{
var myDoc = app.activeDocument;
var mySel = app.selection;
if (mySel.length == 0) exit();
else {
var myGroup = myDoc.groups.add(mySel);
var myGB = myGroup.geometricBounds;
myGroup.ungroup();
var myCalculation = (myGB[3] - myGB[1])/((mySel.length * 2) - 1) + "mm";
var myNewWidth = UnitValue(myCalculation).as('pt');
var myNewHeight = UnitValue('5mm').as('pt');
for (i = 0; i < mySel.length; i++) {
if (mySel.geometricBounds[1] == myGB[1]) mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.LEFT_CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myNewHeight]);
if (mySel.geometricBounds[3] == myGB[3]) mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.RIGHT_CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myNewHeight]);
mySel.resize(CoordinateSpaces.INNER_COORDINATES, AnchorPoint.CENTER_ANCHOR, ResizeMethods.REPLACING_CURRENT_DIMENSIONS_WITH, [myNewWidth, myNewHeight]);
}
myDoc.distribute(mySel, DistributeOptions.HORIZONTAL_SPACE, AlignDistributeBounds.ITEM_BOUNDS);
myDoc.align(mySel, AlignOptions.TOP_EDGES, AlignDistributeBounds.ITEM_BOUNDS);
}
}
(^/)
Humm! … Without disturbing, could I have the "10 points"? Thanks!
Siwybiwy, now that it is written, use the script! (even if you don't understand it)!
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