Writing equations in illustrator using javascript.

[rarur97798982]

Hi,
I am trying to write equations using javascript in illustrator.

Equations might be having superscript and subscript. When I run the script, I need a prompt where, I will write some inputs like

a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}_{2}

And after hitting enter, I need the equation to be like

a²+b²=c²₂

I had tried something, but its not working properly.

if(documents.length >0){  //if document is open   
    if(app.activeDocument.selection[0]){  //if a line is selected  
        var doc = app.activeDocument;  //getting the active document
        var line = doc.pathItems[0];  //getting path items from the active document  
        var firstPoint = line.pathPoints[0].anchor; // [x, y]
        var lastPoint = line.pathPoints[line.pathPoints.length - 1].anchor; // [x, y]        
        var graphValues = (prompt("Enter something", "", "")); //getting the values to write
        var newPowerValue="";
        var ii=1;
        var items=[];
        if(graphValues.indexOf("^")>0){
            PoweredValues=graphValues.split("^");
            BaseValue=PoweredValues[0]; //getting base value from the array
            PowerValue=PoweredValues[1]; //getting power value from the array   
            for( i=0; i<PowerValue.length; i++){
                if(i>0 && i+1!=PowerValue.length){
                    newPowerValue=newPowerValue+PowerValue;
                }
            }             
            ii= doc.textFrames.add();  //adding text
            ii.textRange.characterAttributes.size = 8;  //character size for text
            ii.textRange.characterAttributes.textFont = app.textFonts.getByName("Times-Roman"); //for changing the font to times-roman
            ii.textRange.justification = Justification.CENTER;  //for aligning the content to center
            ii.top = firstPoint[1];  //x coordinate for the new value
            ii.left = firstPoint[0];  //y coordinate for the new value
            finalContent = BaseValue+""+(Number(newPowerValue));          
            finalContent=finalContent.toString();   
            var finalContentcheck=Number(finalContent.indexOf("-"));
            if(finalContentcheck>=0){
                finalContent=finalContent.replace(/-/g,"–");  
            } 
            ii.contents=(finalContent);
            var t = doc.textFrames[0];  // adding text
            thisChar = t.characters[BaseValue.length];  //writing base value 
            supStop=newPowerValue.length+BaseValue.length;
            for(var j=BaseValue.length;j<=supStop-1;j++){ 
                thisChar = t.characters;  //writing base value            
                thisChar.characterAttributes.baselineShift = +3;  //making superscript
                thisChar.characterAttributes.size = 6;  //adjusting size of superscript
            } 
        }
    }
}

I am new in this scripting. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Mylenium]

Your code doesn't make any sense. You are not manipulating arrays, you are merely incrementing values. Perhaps you should start by reading up on how arrays in JavaScript actually work and which methods can be used to manipulate them?

Mylenium

[rarur97798982]

Here I just made the equation

a²

from a^{2}

I couldn't get any idea to make the equation like I said in the question.

[pixxxelschubser]

Use the property of characterAttributes

FontBaselineOption.SUBSCRIPT and

FontBaselineOption.SUPERSCRIPT

Have fun

[pixxxelschubser]

What happens?

[pixxxelschubser · Accepted solution]

Try this

var aSample = "a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}_{2}";
var aDoc = app.activeDocument;
var aTF = aDoc.textFrames.add();
aTF.position = [10, -2];
aTF.contents = aSample;
aTF.textRange.size = 8;
aTF.textRange.characterAttributes.textFont = app.textFonts.getByName("TimesNewRomanPSMT"); //depends on your Illu version and installed font
var res, idx;
var reg = /\^\{/g;
while (res = reg.exec(aTF.contents)) {
    idx = res.index;
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].remove();
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].remove();
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].baselinePosition = FontBaselineOption.SUPERSCRIPT;
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx+1].remove();
}
var reg = /_\{/g;
while (res = reg.exec(aTF.contents)) {
    idx = res.index;
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].remove();
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].remove();
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx].baselinePosition = FontBaselineOption.SUBSCRIPT;
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx-1].tracking = -480; // TimesNewRomanPSMT
    aTF.textRange.characters[idx+1].remove();
}

Have fun