nathandietz / ExportDocAsJPEG

An Illustrator script that exports CMYK 300dpi JPEG

ExportDocAsJPEG

My design workflow for Illustrator frequently requires me to export 300dpi CMYK JPEG images. The ExportDocAsJPEG.jsx reduces this laborious multi-step process (7+ clicks) down to two clicks or a single keyboard shortcut (macOS only).

Disclaimer

The ExportDocAsJPEG.jsx script has only been tested on macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) and Adobe Illustrator CC 2020 (24.3). While it should work on other versions of macOS and Adobe Illustrator, I cannot make any guarantees. You may need to adjust to fit your setup.

It theoretically should also work on Windows, as I don't believe there is any OS dependent code. However, proceed at your own risk.

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1. Installation

1. Download ExportDocAsJPEG.jsx

2. Move into the Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder

   • macOS: Applications/Adobe\ Illustrator\ 2020/Presets/[en_US]/Scripts
   • windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2020\Presets\en_US\Scripts

3. Restart Illustrator if the application was running when you installed the script

4. In Illustrator, navigate to File => Scripts submenu and click ExportDocAsJPEG.jsx to run the script.

2. Customizing

If you want customize the script and better understand how the Illustrator action is built, you can reference ScriptSettings.md. It breaks down the different sections of the action and how to modify them.

For more information on scripting illustrator look at the adobe forums:

• Creating a dynamic action to use with app.doScript() method.
• Dynamic actions with app.doScript() method

3. Assigning a Keyboard Shortcut (macOS ONLY)

Illustrator currently doesn't allow you to assign a keyboard shortcut to any script in the File => Scripts submenu. However, you can get around this limitation by creating an Automator service for Illustrator that runs ExportDocAsJPEG.jsx and assign that service a keyboard shortcut through System Peferences => Keyboard => Shortcuts => Services

1. Install Automator Service

Option A: Automatic

1. Download the ExportDocAsJPEG.workflow Automator service.
2. Double click on the file and the Automator Service Installer will prompt you to install the shortcut

Option B: Manual

1. Create an new Automator Service.
2. In Automator, add a Get Specified Finder Items
   • 2a. Click the Add button and navigate to the script location and click Add
3. In Automater, add an Open Finder Items
   • 3a. Click the Open With dropdown menu, scroll down, and select Other...
   • 3b. Navigate to Applications => Adobe Illustrator 2020 => Adobe Illustrator.app
4. Save

Click to see a screenshot of the Automator Build Settings

2. Assign Keyboard Shortcut

Launch System Prefernces and assign a keyboard shortcut by navigating to Keyboard => Shortcuts => Services. For help visit Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac.

Click to see a screenshot of the Keyboard Shortcuts