John Garrett begins the process of exporting separate files by creating an auto save action in Adobe Illustrator using the Actions panel. He explains creating a new set, creating the new actions, the best settings for this action, and goes over some potential pitfalls when creating your own save action.
- [Voiceover] Now that we're done with importing,…it's time to save out the fruit of our labor…as separate files.…This way you can send proof to your client…or even create final files to be sent to the printer.…We have 10 datasets,…so we can expect to end up with 10 separate files.…We could cycle through the datasets…and save each one manually,…but that would be pretty time-consuming…even for only 10 files.…If you had hundreds of datasets,…saving each one manually would waste a lot of time…and be extremely tedious.…To make this easier on ourselves,…we can use an Illustrator action to save to separate files,…which means, first, we'll create the action…and then run that action in a batch multiple times…until all the separate files are saved.…
To set up an action, we'll need the Actions panel.…If the Actions panel is invisible,…choose Window, Actions from the top menu to show it.…If you've never used Illustrator actions before,…you'll likely only have the default action set…showing in the panel.…To create a new set,…
Author
John Garrett
Released
4/26/2016Designer John Garrett appreciates the many different types of variables and their practical uses, including generating business cards and direct mailers. In this course, he explains how to use variable data including managing linked images, graphics, tables of data, and graphs. He covers the entire workflow, from setup to exporting dynamic batches.
- Setting up Illustrator files
- Using Appearances
- Setting up data sources
- Importing data
- Managing linked variables
- Binding and using prepend paths and presets
- Using the Variables panel
- Naming data sets
- Generating multiple versions with batch exporting
Skill Level Advanced
Duration
Views
-
Introduction
-
1. Exploring Variable Data
-
What Is Variable Data?1m 12s
-
Different types of variables4m 16s
-
-
2. Setting up Illustrator Files
-
Naming objects4m 25s
-
Using area type2m 32s
-
Using point type1m 57s
-
Using variable data graphics4m 50s
-
-
3. Setting up a CSV Document
-
Setting up data in Excel3m 25s
-
Saving a CSV file3m 11s
-
-
4. Importing using Variable Importer Script
-
Opening Variable Importer3m 19s
-
Creating and using presets1m 32s
-
Testing and importing a CSV2m 22s
-
-
5. Working with the Variables Panel
-
Uploading data sets4m 8s
-
Dealing with overset text3m 41s
-
6. Exporting and Reviewing
-
Creating a save action3m 25s
-
-
Conclusion
-
Next steps1m 12s
-
Take notes with your new membership!
Type in the entry box, then click Enter to save your note.
Press on any video thumbnail to jump immediately to the timecode shown.
Notes are saved with you account but can also be exported as plain text, MS Word, PDF, Google Doc, or Evernote.
Share this video
Embed this video
Video: Creating a save action