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Set frontDocument = appRef.ActiveDocument
For Each artItem In frontDocument.PageItems
artItem.Transform totalMatrix
Next
End Sub
A matrix object in Illustrator consists of six properties. In AppleScript, these properties are:
mvalue_a, mvalue_b, mvalue_c, mvalue_d, mvalue_tx, and mvalue_ty. In Visual
Basic, these properties are: MValueA, MValueB, MValueC, MValueD, MValueTX, and
MValueTY. By experimenting with the matrix concatenation commands in both AppleScript
and Visual Basic, you can discover how to construct matrices that can applied to perform
movement (also called translation), rotation, scaling, skewing and other transformations. See
the script examples for the matrix commands for working samples.
Working with variables and datasets
By creating dynamic objects, you can create data-driven graphics. You can define dynamic
objects by using variables. In scripting, the variable class corresponds to these
variables. Variables are document-level objects; therefore, you create them in the document
object. You can add and delete variables to/from a script by using the Add and Remove/
RemoveAll methods (Visual Basic) or make and delete (AppleScript).
Datasets
Datasets are closely related to variables in that a dataset collects variables and their
associated dynamic data into a single object. The DataSet (VB) / dataset (AS) class is the
object that corresponds to an AI DataSet. The dataset collection in the document class
provides methods so you can create, update and delete datasets.
Launching and quitting Illustrator from a script
Your scripts can control the activation and quitting of the Illustrator application. Take note of
the particular comments below for your scripting system.
Launching and quitting from AppleScript
Use the activate and quit commands to control Illustrator's run state. The activate
command will bring the Illustrator application to the front if it is not already the frontmost
application. Note that if the clipboard contains data at the time of quitting, Illustrator may
12 Aug 03
Scripting Illustrator
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