Symbol Selector
Script for Adobe Illustrator
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Description
Symbol Selector is a powerful and intuitive Adobe Illustrator script designed to help users quickly find, select, and manage symbol instances in their documents. Whether you’re working with complex designs that contain multiple symbols or need to efficiently select and modify specific symbol instances, this tool streamlines the process with a user-friendly interface, real-time search functionality, and batch selection features.
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Key Features
- Instantly view all symbols used in your document.
- Filter symbols dynamically using a search bar.
- Select individual or multiple symbol instances with ease.
- Remove unused symbols to optimize your document.
- Improve workflow efficiency when working with large projects.
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Installation
- Place the script in your Illustrator Scripts folder:
MacOS: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
- Restart Adobe Illustrator to load the script into the File > Scripts menu.
- Open your document and go to File > Scripts > Symbol Selector to launch the script.
- When the script runs, a dialog window appears with the following elements:
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How to Use Symbol Selector
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➊ Search Bar
The Search Bar in the Symbol Selector script is a powerful filtering tool that helps users quickly find specific symbols within an Adobe Illustrator document. Instead of manually scrolling through a long list of symbols, users can type part of a symbol’s name to dynamically refine the list.
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- As you type, the list of symbols updates instantly to match your input.
- The filtering is case-insensitive, meaning it doesn’t matter if you type uppercase or lowercase letters.
- Partial name matches are supported—typing "star" will display Star, Star Outline, Rounded Star, etc.
- If the user leaves the search field empty, all symbols are displayed again.
- After filtering, users can click on any result to select the corresponding symbol instances.
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➋ Symbol List
The Symbol List in the Symbol Selector script is the central interface where users can view, filter, and select symbol instances used in an Adobe Illustrator document. It provides a structured way to navigate through symbols, displaying their names and the number of times each appears in the document.
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Key Features of the Symbol List:
- Shows every symbol definition currently available in the document.
- 'All Symbols' is always listed at the top, allowing users to select all symbol instances at once.
- The second column in the list shows how many times each symbol appears in the document.
- When a user types in the Search Bar, the Symbol List updates to show only matching results.
- Supports single selection (Double-click on one symbol to select its instances).
- Supports multi-selection: Hold Shift to select a range of symbols or Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple non-adjacent symbols.
- Users can select one or multiple symbols before clicking 'Select' to highlight their instances.
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How to Use the Symbol List
- Browse the Symbol List: Scroll to view all available symbols in the document.
- Search for a Symbol: Use the Search Bar to filter the list dynamically.
- To select one Symbol: Click a symbol name to select it.
- To select multiple Symbols: Hold Shift for range selection or Ctrl/Cmd for multiple selections.
- Click 'Select' button: Highlights all instances of the selected symbol(s) in the document.
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➌ Select Button
The Select Button in the Symbol Selector script is the primary action button that allows users to highlight and select all instances of the chosen symbol(s) within the Adobe Illustrator document. It provides a quick and efficient way to locate and modify symbol instances without manually searching for them.
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Key Features of the Select Button:
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1. Selects Symbol Instances in the Document
- When the user chooses a symbol name from the Symbol List and clicks Select, the script will find and select all instances of that symbol in the document.
- If multiple symbols are selected, all instances of the selected symbols will be highlighted.
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2. Multi-Selection Support
- Users can select one or multiple symbols before clicking the Select Button.
- Single selection – Clicking one symbol in the list and selecting all its instances.
- Multiple selection – Holding Shift or Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) to select multiple symbols at once.
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3. Select All Symbols
- If the user selects 'All Symbols' from the list and clicks Select, every symbol instance in the document will be selected.
- Useful for global modifications, such as resizing or repositioning all symbols at once.
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4. Intelligent Selection Handling
- Click “Select” to highlight all instances of the chosen symbol(s) in your document.
- Once the selection is made, Illustrator will zoom in on the selected symbols so users can edit them immediately.
- If some symbols are hidden or locked, the script will inform the user that certain instances could not be selected.
- When working with a large document, the script displays a progress bar while selecting symbols.
➍ Additional Features
The Symbol Selector script includes several enhanced features that improve usability, flexibility, and workflow efficiency. These additional features ensure smooth interaction with the script while allowing users to manage symbols effectively.
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🅰 Resizable Dialog Window
- The dialog window is resizable, allowing users to expand or shrink the interface based on their needs.
- Useful for working with large symbol lists, as users can increase the window size for better visibility.
- Click and drag the window’s edges to resize it. The list box and search bar will automatically adjust.
🅱 Delete All Unused Symbols Option
- This feature removes all symbols that are not used in the document.
- It helps reduce file size and clean up unnecessary symbols, making the document more efficient.
- Symbols that have zero instances in the document will be permanently removed.
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🅲 Cancel Button
- The Cancel button allows users to exit the dialog without making any changes.
- No selection is applied when the Cancel button is clicked.
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🅳 Open Guide Icon
- This icon ⏼ links to the user guide or help documentation, providing quick access to instructions.
- Useful for new users or anyone who needs a refresher on how the script works or check for updates.
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☻ Conclusion
The Symbol Selector script is a powerful and intuitive tool designed to streamline the process of finding, selecting, and managing symbols in Adobe Illustrator. With features like real-time search, multi-selection support, batch symbol selection, and the ability to delete unused symbols, this script enhances workflow efficiency and organization.
We hope this guide has provided a clear understanding of how to use Symbol Selector effectively. If you have any questions or suggestions for enhancements, feel free to reach out. Now, enjoy a smoother and more efficient symbol management experience in Adobe Illustrator!
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