Possible script or easy way?

[crny1]

Is there a script out there that can take a odd shaped design in Illy and calculate the SQ FT? I work with some REALLY weird shapes and have to calculate the sq ft. It can be a pain in the *ss sometimes. Looking to make life easier! Thanks

 

[Rick]

The only plug-in I know that can do that is CadTools by Hot Door (www.hotdoor.com) on the CadTracker window...

 

[eahicks]

If you have Flexi, this feature is built in. File>Job Statistics.

 

[crny1]

Rick, Do you use Cadtools? I downloaded the trial version and have noticed that when there is a clipping mask involved the numbers are not quite correct. Am I doing something wrong? Seems pretty straight forward to get the area by sq inches but the clipping mask throws a wrench into the mix.

The only plug-in I know that can do that is CadTools by Hot Door (www.hotdoor.com) on the CadTracker window...

 

[Rick]

I pretty much design everything using Cadtools...

Cadtools will calculate square footage on any shape you select, if shapes are stacked on top of each other or masked, it will add all the shapes together that are selected or masked.

When you mask something, since it will combine the background shape(s) with the mask shape... I always select the mask shape using the "DIRECT SELECT tool to determine the square footage.

Remember, it will only count the square footage of the actual shape, so it's an odd shape - like you mentioned, it will only calculate that shape... if you need the overall square footage, I draw a box around it and CadTracker will calculate that box (if thats the only shape you selected)

If you have shape on top of shape (say 2 stars - but maybe one is offset a little, and select both, it will calculate both including the overlapped area... when I need an overall square footage of the 2 stars only, I will copy all the shapes, Pathfinder>Unite - then you will get the overall square footage of both shapes "welded" together.

Geez, it's really easy but when I explain it, it seems hard.

 

[crny1]

Thanks! That makes perfect sense now that you explain it.

I pretty much design everything using Cadtools...

Cadtools will calculate square footage on any shape you select, if shapes are stacked on top of each other or masked, it will add all the shapes together that are selected or masked.

When you mask something, since it will combine the background shape(s) with the mask shape... I always select the mask shape using the "DIRECT SELECT tool to determine the square footage.

Remember, it will only count the square footage of the actual shape, so it it's an odd shape - like you mentioned, it will only calculate that shape... of you need the overall square footage, I draw a box around it and CadTracker will calculate that box (if thats the only shape you selected)

If you have shape on top of shape (say 2 stars - but maybe one is offset a little, and select both, it will calculate both including the overlapped area... when I need an overall square footage of the 2 stars only, I will copy all the shapes, Pathfinder>Unite - then you will get the overall square footage of both shapes "welded" together.

Geez, it's really easy but when I explain it, it seems hard.