Color Block Labeling Script for Adobe Illustrator

[TrevJonez]

Open source project for a script i wrote to aid color matching at work.

JSX file @ https://github.com/trevjonez/Color-Box-Labeler (click on Color Box Labeler.jsx then right click on the "Raw" and "Save Link As")

Quick video on how to use.

[video=youtube_share;gxy266r6iEg]http://youtu.be/gxy266r6iEg[/video]

I think the next feature to add will be to associate the label to an object so that you don't have to delete all the labels if you modify and re label the grid.

Let me know if this is of any use or not.... It has already saved me tons of time in my work flow.

Install info if you have never used scripts can be found here @ https://forums.adobe.com/message/5443731

 

[Chasez]

Hi TrevJones,

Just watched your video on the colour label script, you've got it right! I've been looking for something like this! Have been trying to read up on creating my own scripts, but am new into the JS world and its sort of on the web design end (but a graphic designer/printer by trade) so haven't gotten around to building my own. Colour matching for me is also time consuming and a pain. I've heard of guys that have their own scripts that actually build the blocks for you (ie. have a colour block that you put the colour your wanting [pms 280c] and it will automatically fill in a series of blocks with slight variations of that colour) instead of having to use the blend tool to create your own. Between this and your labeling script I think it would be the ultimate printer tool! If you have the knowledge to build something like this and want to share that would be amazing! I will def. be using your labeling script, as this will now save me hours upon hours thanks to you!

If you want to talk more about this PM.

Chaz

 

[Chasez]

Just wanted to add a suggestion, not sure if its possible or hard to do, but I've been using the script now and I've noticed that it sets the labels as a set size. Is it possible to have it set the size of the label to correspond with the width of the object? Noticed this because I'm printing swatches at 1" x 1" and the labels are overlapping unless I space out the swatches by over an inch so then its time to resize all the labels so they are legible.

Again, fantastic script!

Chaz

 

[TrevJonez]

I'll try messing with it. I just need to do some math to set the text size i think.

To date i just select all the labels and decrease their font size till they don't overlap. Still alot faster than typing labels 1 at a time.

I have a few more scripts to share also, one that builds a pantone spot color book so you have a nice chart to match with. then another that does a save for web png24 on all the artboards in a file.

 

[TrevJonez]

Just wanted to add a suggestion, not sure if its possible or hard to do, but I've been using the script now and I've noticed that it sets the labels as a set size. Is it possible to have it set the size of the label to correspond with the width of the object? Noticed this because I'm printing swatches at 1" x 1" and the labels are overlapping unless I space out the swatches by over an inch so then its time to resize all the labels so they are legible.

Again, fantastic script!

Chaz

Ok I updated it to scale the text based on a static ratio. So not the best case solution but should work decently in most cases. Good luck! keep throwing ideas my way!

New version has been pushed to github. https://github.com/trevjonez/Color-Box-Labeler