11 Replies Latest reply: Jun 1, 2010 7:51 AM by [Jongware]

Scripting plugin

Roy Marshall May 25, 2010 1:29 PM

I am not sure if this is the correct forum for this topic, but I will give it a go.

I recently saw a post from Anne Marie Conception (InDesign Secrets) about a cool Adobe Air app to create custom panels in CS5 (Configurator). This works really well, but my clients I script for do not use CS5 yet.

What would be the best way to write a simple, plugin for CS3/CS4 to launch scripts? Should I maybe be looking at an Applescript App/Automator/or (Preferably) a native InDesign Plugin?

Obviously a free solution using current technology would be nice, but keen to hear any thoughts on this.

The main aim for this is to brand the script process for the client, and to be able to link to scripts on a server not relying on the script folder.

Cheers

Roy

1. Re: Scripting plugin

[Jongware] May 25, 2010 2:58 PM (in response to Roy Marshall)

You can call any script from any location with doScript.

I made a simple dialog box with my 9 most-often used scripts under radio buttons, and put that script again under a hot key. (I limited it to 9 because I added each number in front of the script names, to act as hot keys within the dialog.)
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
2. Re: Scripting plugin

Harbs. May 25, 2010 3:21 PM (in response to Roy Marshall)
Like Jongware says, it's the simple matter of calling a doScript. You can feed in a file reference, and string, or even a function reference.

As far as dialogs go, there's three options:

Native InDesign dialogs (simple and easy)
Script UI (harder but nicer with more options)
PatchPanel (harder yet, but you can do almost anything -- even real panels in CS4)

In CS5, there's Extenson Builder / CS SDK, which has some really cool capabilities...

http://forums.adobe.com/community/creativesuites/extensionbuilder
http://forums.adobe.com/community/creativesuites/cs_sdk

Harbs
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
3. Re: Scripting plugin

Roy Marshall May 25, 2010 8:12 PM (in response to Harbs.)

Cheers Jong/Harbs

I think I will make a containing script for now. I have done this before, but was hoping there was maybe another easy way to make panels etc.

If I get the time I will look into PatchPanel (whatever that is!)

Cheers

Roy
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
4. Re: Scripting plugin

Harbs. May 25, 2010 9:59 PM (in response to Roy Marshall)

http://forums.adobe.com/community/labs/archives/patchpanel

Harbs
http://www.in-tools.com
Innovations in Automation
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
5. Re: Scripting plugin

Praveen10 May 25, 2010 10:21 PM (in response to Harbs.)

Hi Harbs,

I'm getting the 'Unauthorized' error while linking the above path, pl. confirm.

Thanks,

Praveen
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
6. Re: Scripting plugin

Harbs. May 25, 2010 10:48 PM (in response to Praveen10)

The PatchPanel forum was archived. It looks like you need to be a moderator to access archived forums...

Either way, it looks like PatchPanel is a dead end at this point. It looks like it was discontinued with the release of CS5. CS SDK (which is the matured result of the PatchPanel work) is much better than PatchPanel was, but I think it's a shame they took PatchPanel down. It was a very useful hack...

Harbs
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
7. Re: Scripting plugin

Roy Marshall May 31, 2010 1:33 PM (in response to Harbs.)

Thats a real shame.
Any other suggestions for making a plugin for CS3 using current software?
Roy
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
8. Re: Scripting plugin

Harbs. Jun 1, 2010 5:22 AM (in response to Roy Marshall)

Well, there's always C++...

Harbs
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
9. Re: Scripting plugin

Harbs. Jun 1, 2010 5:26 AM (in response to Roy Marshall)

There's also external stuff like REALBasic or totally external apps built in AppleScript or what-have-you.

APID is a really nice platform for integrating external stuff with InDesign.

Take a look at Kris' post here: http://rorohiko.blogspot.com/2007/10/lightning-brain-podcast-click-here-to.html

Harbs
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
10. Re: Scripting plugin

[Jongware] Jun 1, 2010 7:51 AM (in response to Harbs.)

Well, there's always C++...

Are you sure you don't mean

... there is always C++ ...
(click image to see result)
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions
11. Re: Scripting plugin

Steven.. Jun 1, 2010 7:55 AM (in response to [Jongware])

Its not that bad...

I can knock out a plug-in just to run scripts in a couple of hours.. & a nice check
Like Show 0 Likes (0)

Actions