I have been meaning to write these myself for months, but have been too busy, so we're trying to hire someone.
We would prefer these to be mostly Applescript, because I know Applescript and will be able to modify/maintain them, but we might consider all Javascript if there are no bites on Applescript.
There are probably bits in here that are not accessible to Applescript, that would need to be in Javascript. I think color overlays are not in the scripting dictionary and need to be figured out with scripting listener. That's fine, as necessary, to call Javascript from an Applescript. We just want it to be in Aplescript as much as possible.
If you're interested, please contact me:
Tom Ingling
800-620-1233 x251
t.ingling [att] rushordertees [dott] com
I assume that if you're interested, you'd want more information. We can provide example files in the "before" and finished states, talk or email about any questions you have, and I also have examples of some steps of the scripts functioning for reference.
Here is the outline of the two scripts:
Script 1: Assign Color Overlay
Overview:
This script would need to do the following in Adobe Photoshop. The script will be run from a command key.
Script Steps:
1. Ideally, read the current swatches on the swatch pallet in Photoshop. If this is a pain/impossible, then we’re open to getting this info from somewhere else. We can save out the info needed as a .csv or .txt and the script can just load it from there.
2. When the script is run, it presents a dialog with a list of the colors from the swatch pallet. The user chooses a color from the list.
3. It applies the color selected as a "Color Overlay" Layer Effect to the currently selected layer. If the layer already has a color overlay effect, it updates it to the selected color. The color overlay effect is applied with the “Screen” blending mode.
4. It changes the layer name to the name of the color that was selected
Script 2: Save Files and Convert Photoshop File to Spot Color Raster EPS
Overview:
The script will save out the active Photoshop file in multiple copies in different ways, place data on the clipboard, and then use Illustrator to convert one of the Photoshop files to a different format.
The open file when the script is run will always be a Photoshop file with layers, with the topmost layers named by colors as specified by the above “Script 1.” The files can have an arbitrary number of layers, but will all be in this format:
first layer [Some Color Name]
arbitrary number of additional layers, each with color names
Shirt [ <- this is a solid color layer]
Art [<- this is a single group containing arbitrary layers]
Script Steps:
1. The active file is saved out exactly as it is. When the script’s run, it presents a save dialog. The operator chooses the save folder location and file name. I will refer to this as “The Save Folder” The script will then check to see if there’s an “Art” folder in The Save Folder. If there is, it saves the file there. If not, it creates the “Art” folder and saves it there. If the file already exists, it automatically overwrites and does not provide a dialog about it.
2. Another copy is saved using “Save For Web. The original file was at 300 dpi and this copy is saved out bicubic down sampled to 72 dpi with the same inch dimensions. The save settings are {JPEG – High, Progressive – off, Optimized – on, Embed Color profile – off, Quality – 72, Blur – 0, Matte – none, Convert To sRGB – yes} This one has the same file name as the first copy (except for the file extension) and is saved in The Save Folder.
3. A flat copy of the art at the same dimensions but downsampled to 18 dpi is placed on the clipboard.
4. An intermediate file for Illustrator conversion is saved. This should probably be saved in a new folder in The Save Folder called “Intermediate Files.” This folder needs to be checked for and created only if necessary. The file should have a naming scheme such as “Intermediate File” & [existing file name]. This file is identical to file 1, except:
- the shirt layer and art folder are removed. This should probably be scripted as deleting the layer named “shirt” and everything below it in the file.
- all the color overlays are removed (or turned off)
5. Close the file.
6. Open the intermediate file in Illustrator with the “Convert Layers to Objects” option.
7. Select All
8. Edit -> Edit Colors -> Convert to Greyscale
9. Cycle through each layer one at a time and change the fill color to the swatch from an open Illustrator swatchbook called “Current Inks” with the same name as the layer name.
To clarify this previous step, our artists will be working off the same .ASE color swatchbook in both Photoshop and Illustrator. In Photoshop, the colors from this .ASE will be used as color overlays on layers. The file needs to be imported to Illustrator and have the same colors applied as fill colors of the raster objects that were the Photoshop layers. The color information is being conveyed from Photoshop to Illustrator through the layer names in Photoshop.
10. Save this file to The Save Folder as a .AI with the same name and “CONV”
11. Delete the intermediate file.