3 Replies Latest reply: Mar 5, 2010 6:15 PM by EmPag RSS

    Convert area type to individual point type objects?

    EmPag Community Member

      I need to convert a bunch of area type to point type. Is there an easy way to do it?

       

      My document has columns of numbers and words that are currently area type set apart by leadding values. I need each line to be it's own point type object. I would like the characters to remain in the same position they are now.

        • 1. Re: Convert area type to individual point type objects?
          Scott Falkner Community Member

          Try saving a copy as PDF without Illustrator Editing Capability, then opening that PDF. Copy the text and use Paste in Front to paste it in the same position in the original document. Use a new layer for this text. Some tweaking will probably be necessary.

          • 2. Re: Convert area type to individual point type objects?
            EmPag Community Member

            Thanks, that does work. Although it doesn't keep all the correct settings. For example, my right justified text comes out as a bunch of different left justfied text objects with differnt starting points. But that can be fixed pretty easily w/ alignment tools.

             

            There isn't an easier way huh?

             

            Seems like it would be a useful feature for AI to have.

            • 3. Re: Convert area type to individual point type objects?
              Scott Falkner Community Member

              You cannot fully justify point type because there are no margins.


              Kerning, leading, and margins are not data in the PDF. Instead, Illustrator forces a new text object wherever the next character does not fall according to the font’s internal metrics. Fully justified type has a lot of custom spacing to maintain even margins, so it gets cut into many different objects. You can minimize the effect of this by setting the type left justified and setting the kerning to None. When the PDF type is copied to the original file, you can set kerning back to Metrics or Optical.