Converts selected point textFrames into a Block of Text. Adobe Illustrator script

textBlock.jsx

//@target Illustrator

//  script.name = textBlockLive.jsx; 
//  script.description = converts selected point textFrames into a Block of Text;
//  script.required = one document with at least two selected Point Text frames;
//  script.parent = carlos canto // 12/4/11; Update 03/15/205 added User Defined Units, cosmetics
//  script.modification = sergey osokin // 08/12/23; keep text editable, sort texts by Y, cosmetics
//  script.elegant = false;

function main() {
  if (!app.documents.length) {
    alert("There are no open documents");
    return;
  }

  var sel = app.selection;
  var tfs = getTextFrames(selection);
  if (tfs.length < 2) {
    alert("Select at least 2 Point Text Frames before running");
    return;
  }

  // Sort array by Y and X positions
  tfs.sort(function (a, b) {
    return comparePosition(b.top, a.top, a.left, b.left)
  });

  var width = prompt("Enter desired Text Block width including Units", '300 pt', "Text Block");
  if (width == null) return;

  var widthUV = new UnitValue(width);
  if (widthUV.type == '?') {
    alert('Units were not provided, try again...');
    return;
  }
  var widthPts = widthUV.as("pt") // convert to points

  var spacing = prompt("Enter spacing including Units", '3 mm', "Text Block"); // text lines spacing in mm
  if (spacing == null) return;

  var spcingUV = new UnitValue(spacing);
  if (spcingUV.type == '?') {
    alert('Units were not provided, try again...');
    return;
  }
  var spacingPts = spcingUV.as("pt") // convert to points

  var blockGrp = selection[0].layer.groupItems.add(); // add a group to final output
  blockGrp.name = "Text Block";

  var left = 0;
  var top = 0;
  var firstTop = 0;

  for (var i = tfs.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) { // loop thru selection
    var tf = tfs[i];
    var iText = tf.duplicate(blockGrp, ElementPlacement.PLACEATEND); // duplicate text
    iText.selected = false; // deselect it
    var iOutlined = iText.createOutline(); // create outlines

    var perCent = widthPts / iOutlined.width * 100; // get scaling percentage, based on desired width of block
    var scaleMatrix = app.getScaleMatrix(perCent, perCent);

    iOutlined.remove();
    iText = tf.duplicate(blockGrp, ElementPlacement.PLACEATEND);
    iText.selected = false;
    iText.transform(scaleMatrix);

    iOutlined = iText.duplicate().createOutline();
    var deltaX = iText.left - iOutlined.left;
    var deltaY = iText.geometricBounds[1] - iOutlined.geometricBounds[1];

    iText.left = left + deltaX;
    iText.top = top + deltaY + iOutlined.height + spacingPts;
    top = iText.top - deltaY;
    if (i == 0) firstTop = tf.top + deltaY;

    iOutlined.remove();
  }

  blockGrp.position = [tf.left + tf.width + 40, firstTop];
}

// Get TextFrames array from collection
function getTextFrames(coll) {
  var tfs = [];
  for (var i = 0, len = coll.length; i < len; i++) {
    if (/text/i.test(coll[i].typename)) 
      tfs.push(coll[i]);
    else if (/group/i.test(coll[i].typename)) 
      tfs = tfs.concat(getTextFrames(coll[i].pageItems));
  }
  return tfs;
}

// Compare position of two objects
function comparePosition(a1, b1, a2, b2) {
  return a1 == b1 ? a2 - b2 : a1 - b1;
}

try {
  main();
} catch (e) {}

More about script in Telegram channel.

good

Thank you, works great :)

really cool, thanks

Escelente, thanks!!

good job, it work thanks

I keep getting this:
Select at least 2 Point Text Frames before running

Anyone know what it means?

Cheers

@Carlogoose This means that you did not select two text objects. See the example on the GIF. If you have created an area type with multiple lines of text, the script will not process such an object.

@creold Nice one thanks!

Does anyone know of a similar script for Photoshop?

@oldgold1877 I will think about your question about the Adobe Photoshop version.

Added Photoshop version: https://github.com/creold/photoshop-scripts/blob/master/README.md#textblock

Added Photoshop version: https://github.com/creold/photoshop-scripts/blob/master/README.md#textblock

This is fantastic. You are a star 🙏

This is amazing. Thanks 😍👍👏

Nice one bro

Nice one Thanks.