Batch and naming issue

[C***@adobeforums.com]

I'm running a batch on a folder of AI10 files using AI10.0.3 based on an action containing an export to tif command.

When I run the batch all the resulting tif files end up with the name of the file that I used when making the action so I end up with just one tif file that was created and then overwritten as many times as there were files in the batched folder.

How do I get the batch command to retain the unique file names of files?

I don't want to toggle the dialog on in the action and then manually enter each filename during the batch.

[j***@adobeforums.com]

By exporting as tif you're forcing the file name to change, so the file name needs to be either set manually for each one or the file name you use for the first becomes part of the script.

I'm not on OSX or CS, so I can't test this, but would it work to tell aics to hide extensions? It might be able to resave with the original file name and thus not need any further input. But my understanding is that no matter what, Adobe insists on attaching the extension.

[C***@adobeforums.com]

Try the following. It should create seperate names for the exported files. This is for EPS and PDF, but it should work for TIFF as well. you'll have to use export instead of save as of course.

You can convert multiple AI files to EPS or PDF files in Adobe Illustrator by recording and applying an action as follows:

1. Create a new folder named "AI Files," and then place the files you want to convert in that folder.
2. Create a second new folder named "Converted Files."
3. In Illustrator, open one of the files you want to convert.
4. Choose New Action from the Actions palette pop-up menu.
5. Name the new action, and click Record.
6. Choose File > Save As.
7. Choose either EPS or PDF from the Format pop-up menu (Mac OS) or the Save As Type pop-up menu (Windows).
8. Name the file, and then save it in the Converted Files folder.
9. Choose Stop Recording from the Actions palette pop-up menu.
10. Select the action in the Actions palette.
11. Choose Batch from the Actions palette pop-up menu.
12. In the Source section, deselect Override Action "Open" Commands and Include All Subdirectories, and then click Choose.
13. Navigate to the AI Files folder, and then click Choose (Mac OS) or OK (Windows).
14. In the Destination section, choose Folder from the pop-up menu, deselect Override Action "Save In" Commands and Override Action "Export" Commands, and then click Choose.
15. Navigate to the Converted Files folder, and then click Choose (Mac OS) or OK (Windows).
16. Click OK.

Chelan

[C***@adobeforums.com]

So export is useless in a batch situation unless you want to batch ONE file?

THAT'S STUPID!!!!!

[C***@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Chelan for posting the Adobe info.

It may work perfectly with "Save As" but it does some odd things with export.

It does work so I retract my "Stupid" comment from earlier.

Here are my results.

To achieve multiple exported files the Destination section of the Batch dialog must have the Override Action "Export" Commands selected otherwise you will end up with one file that was overwritten as many times as you have files that were batched.

The Override Action "Save" Commands has no affect either way.

My action is contains just and export command and a close command.
When I run the batch as is it works but generates log errors saying:
The object “Save As” is not currently available.
The object “Close” is not currently available.

If I disable the close command in the action. The batch does a strange thing. Rather than just leaving the file open as expected it saves a copy of the ai file into the destination folder so I have my original ai files in the source folder and copy ai files and tifs in the destination folder. To achieve this I noticed that in my actions palette that Illustrator automatically creates a new unnamed action folder containing a new action called "Save As" and when the action is complete removes the new folder and action from the actions palette.

When the action is run this way (with close disabled) there are no log errors but I end up with an extra set of ai files.

I also tested the ability to use the same directory as the source and destination and that works as well.

So Export via batch does work but it is not the best implementation and seems as though the software engineers didn't fully work out this "Feature" compared to the basic "Save As" batch.

Maybe CS has more robust and integrated export capabilities during batch processing.

Thanks for your help.

Cameron

[B***@adobeforums.com]

Cameron,

I tried using your workflow for Batch mode in illustrator CS. It sais "Can't save the illustration, the file cannot be found." I ckick ok and it saves the files as an .ai to the correct folder. Does this sound correct. Unfortunately I have to convert 2-3000 legacy .eps to .ai so they can be used and printed from IDC3.

Any ideas would be helpful.

Bruce Robinson

[C***@adobeforums.com]

Bruce - Since I don't have CS I can't compare notes :)
When you run the batch does it say "Can't save the illustration, the file cannot be found" once for every file in the batch so you would have to sit there and click OK 2000 times or does it just do it once and then runs the batch?
When you check the overide "Save" command does it remove the error dialog so the batch runs fine?