Add symbol and set text within it

[charlie656]

Hi all,

I have a symbol in the symbols panel which contains a text box with a rounded shape behind it.

I want to add many copies of the symbol to the document with but change the content of the text box every time.

How can I do this with javascript?

I have a loop like this at the moment but don't know how to set the text inside the symbol once its added to the document.

My darkGreenSymbol has a text box in it and I have attached a variable called itemText to it.

var timelineItems = [];

timelineItems.push({color:0xFF0000,icon:'maintain',title:'1st July 2016',startDate:'2016-07-01',endDate:'2016-09-01'});

timelineItems.push({color:0xFF00FF,icon:'maintain',title:'1st September 2016',startDate:'2016-09-01',endDate:'2016-10-01'});

timelineItems.push({color:0xFF00FF,icon:'maintain',title:'23rd February 2017',startDate:'2017-02-23',endDate:'2017-05-01'});

var darkGreenSymbol = doc.symbols.DarkGreen;

for( var i = 0; i < timelineItems.length; i++ ){

    var item = timelineItems;   

    var itemStartDate = parseDate(item.startDate);

    var itemEndDate = parseDate(item.startDate);   

    var monthsOffset = 1 + monthDiff(timelineStartDate,itemStartDate);

    var timelineItem = doc.symbolItems.add(darkGreenSymbol);   

    timelineItem.left = startLeft + (monthWidth * monthsOffset);

    timelineItem.top = startTop - (i * verticalStep);

    // This doesnt work

    timelineItem.textVariables.itemText.contents = "Some new text everytime";

    $.writeln("timelineItem = "+timelineItem);

}

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way?

Thanks

[CarlosCanto]

you can't change the text inside a symbol instance at the moment.

where did you get textVariables object? I don't think it's part of the Illustrator DOM.

[CarlosCanto]

...I meant, without breaking the link to its symbol.

[charlie656]

I got textVariables somewhere on the internet. Just trying whatever to make it work.

I am used to working with Flash and movie clips so thats why I though I could change the text.

Is it possible to unlink the instance and change the text?

I am currently just putting new text on top.

Thanks

[CarlosCanto]

yes!! use the "breakLink()" method...omg, I have not noticed we had it, it's been here since at least CS6. I used to break it old school, by deleting the parent Symbol.