Very Tecchy - Can I convert a curve....into numbers?

[alanbloom]

I have a complex curve in Illustrator and ideally (for scientific purposes) I could really do with creating a data sheet, which will give they coordinate of the curve for every small step in the x coordinate.

Tricky question....

I need to make a graph in a spreadsheet so it's basically converting an illustrator path into x and y numbers...

Any insight appreciated...

Thanks

 

[itchybug]

Alan:

I can do part of it, but you'll probably have to do some scripting...

In order to get the coordinates of a number of points along your curve, create a scatter brush from a small circle (about the size of the increment you wish to use), set all parameters for the brush to 0 (which should be the default), then apply the brush to your curve.

Next, Expand the brush, ungroup the result, delete the curve (save a bloomin' backup first) and you have circles neatly following the coordinates along your curve.

They are in sequence, so you should be able to select them in turn, front to back, which should be from one end of the curve to the other.

Next, you'll need to harvest the information and place it into a data sheet. That's where the scripting comes in.

You may have to scale up your curve to get the coordinates to be accurate (at small sizes the scatter brush gets inaccurate) but converting the numbers back once you get them out should be a cinch.

HTH

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[itchybug]

Uhmmm, sorry, I misled you. I said set everything on the brush to 0, but you'll actually want to leave the size and spacing at 100%, not 0. If you leave the defaults as they come, you'll be fine.

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[alanbloom]

Thanks for the help -

Do you know what procedure to use for the scripting? I've had little experience with it although I know bits about it and it's capabilities.

Cheers

Alan

 

[itchybug]

Alan:

My javascripting skills are next to none, but I'd try to write something like this:

1. Pick the first (backmost) object;
2. Get its coordinates, write them to a file;
3. Repeat.

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com