Written by New York graphic design professional Chandler McWilliams, this is the first book about Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator design scripting on the market. It discusses scripting procedures and techniques for Photoshop and Illustrator using JavaScript, and explains how to automate tasks such as linking graphics to a database, transforming images, and performing batch processes. It features more than 500 fully annotated screenshots, expanded introductions, and tips with real-life examples CD-ROM contains code examples, a fully searchable version of the book, and sample. Combining clear, step-by-step screen shots with minimal text, our five "Visual" series are the ultimate resources for visual learners, who represent up to forty percent of your customers. "Teach Yourself VISUALLY" guides help computer users get up to speed on a wide range of office productivity, graphics, and Web design software. Offering significantly more coverage than our Simplified series, these books provide real-world tips and illustrate basic and intermediate level techniques using crisp full-color screen shots. Visual Blueprints apply the proven Visual formula to professional-level programming, Web development, and networking tips. Each two-color guide includes self-contained two-page lessons, covering more than 100 key topics, accompanied by practical tips and code samples as well as examples and bonus software on CD-ROM.

Table of Contents:
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK. 1) AN INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTING. Scripting with Photoshop and Illustrator. Install Scripting Support for Photoshop. Run a Sample Script in Photoshop and Illustrator. Storing Scripts. 2) PROGRAMMING WITH JAVASCRIPT. Understanding JavaScript Syntax. Understanding Programming Style. Declare Variables. Using Operators. Increment and Decrement a Variable. Control Program Flow Using Conditionals. Using Arrays. Using While Loops. Using For Loops. Create a Function. Pass Parameters to a Function. Return a Value from a Function. Using Objects, Properties, and Methods. Retrieve a Range of Characters from a String. Convert a String into an Array. Communicate with the User. Add Comments. 3) WORKING WITH DOCUMENTS. Understanding the Adobe Scripting Object Model. Understanding Coordinate Systems in Photoshop and Illustrator. Set the Ruler Units in Photoshop. Create a New Document in Photoshop. Create a New Document in Illustrator. Reference the Active Document in Photoshop and Illustrator. Switch Between Open Documents. Manipulate a Document in Photoshop. Using the Document Meta--Data in Photoshop. Work with Selections in Photoshop. Work with the Clipboard in Photoshop. 4) WORKING WITH LAYERS. Create a New Art Layer in Photoshop. Create a New Layer Set in Photoshop. Manipulate Layers in Photoshop. Duplicate a Layer in Photoshop. Apply a Filter to a Layer in Photoshop. Create a New Layer in Illustrator. Retrieve a List of Visible Layers in Photoshop and Illustrator. 5) WORKING WITH PATH ITEMS IN ILLUSTRATOR. Create Path Items. Create Ellipses. Create Rectangles. Create Stars and Polygons. Define and Apply Color Values. Manipulate Path Items. Work with Selections. Create Groups. Create and Place Symbols. Create Gradients. Edit a Gradient's Stop Points. Working with Compound Paths. Create Clipping Masks. 6) TEXT IN PHOTOSHOP. Create a Text Layer. Retrieve the Name of a Font. Set the Font of a Text Item. Change the Color of a Text Item. Create a Drop Shadow Effect. 7) TEXT IN ILLUSTRATOR. Add Text to a Document. Create Path and Area Text. Manipulate Part of a Text Item. Retrieve a List of Available Fonts. Set the Font of a Text Item. Flow Text Between Paths. Wrap Text Around Other Objects. Set Paragraph Options. 8) WORKING WITH THE FILE SYSTEM IN PHOTOSHOP AND ILLUSTRATOR. Understanding the File System. Open or Create a File and Folder. Save the Active Document in Photoshop and Illustrator. Retrieve a Listing of Files in a Folder. Read a File. Write Data to a File. Place a File in Illustrator. 9) WORKING WITH VARIABLES AND DATASETS IN ILLUSTRATOR. Understanding Variables and Datasets in Illustrator. Create a Text String Variable. Create Visibility and Linked File Variables. Create a New Dataset. Export and Import Variable Libraries. Edit a Variable Library by Hand. 10) EXPORTING AND PRINTING. Save a Document as PDF and EPS from Illustrator. Create an Illustrator Export Object. Save a JPEG from Photoshop. Print a Document from Illustrator. Print a Document from Photoshop. 11) BATCH PROCESSING IN PHOTOSHOP AND ILLUSTRATOR. Using Modular Scripting Techniques. Batch Process Open Documents. Batch Process a Directory Tree. Remove Unused Symbols, Swatches, and Styles in Illustrator. Create Patterns Using Math in Illustrator. Create a Report of All Fonts in an Illustrator Document. Create a Report of All Linked Files in an Illustrator Document Export Files from Datasets in Illustrator. Create Mailing Labels from a Text File in Illustrator. Export All Visible Layers in Photoshop. Change Every Font in a Photoshop Document. Create an HTML Gallery in Photoshop. Resize All Images in a Folder with Photoshop. Record Scripts for Photoshop with the Scripting Listener Plug--in. Make Scripting Listener Code into Functions for Photoshop. Using JavaScript with Photoshop Actions. 12) DEBUGGING SCRIPTS IN PHOTOSHOP AND ILLUSTRATOR. Detect and Handle Errors. Enable the JavaScript Debugger in Photoshop. Enable the JavaScript Debugger in Illustrator. Using the Debugger. Using Try--Catch Statements. APPENDIX A: ILLUSTRATOR SCRIPTING QUICK REFERENCE. APPENDIX B: PHOTOSHOP SCRIPTING QUICK REFERENCE. APPENDIX C: WHAT'S ON THE CD--ROM. INDEX.