Extended Align Panel

Extended Align Panel

Script for Adobe Illustrator

Extended Align Panel

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Description

Extended Align Panel is a compact persistent palette for Adobe Illustrator that brings alignment, object distribution, and exact spacing controls into one focused interface. It combines custom-drawn controls with direct Illustrator operations while keeping the active alignment target and bounds method visible throughout the workflow.

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Features

The panel provides fast visual access to common arrangement commands while preserving Illustrator-compatible behavior.

  • Align and Distribute tabs: Switch between dedicated action groups without hiding the shared target, bounds, or footer controls.
  • Compound alignment grid: Align selected artwork to any of nine corner, edge-center, or center positions.
  • Single-axis alignment: Align objects to the left, horizontal center, right, top, vertical center, or bottom.
  • Object distribution: Distribute objects by their horizontal or vertical edges and centers using a two-row button grid.
  • Exact spacing: Distribute objects horizontally or vertically using a positive, zero, or negative spacing value.
  • Linked thumbwheel: Adjust spacing by dragging a full-width ribbed thumbwheel or using the mouse wheel.
  • Spacing reset: Return the spacing value to zero with one click; the reset button is dimmed when no reset is needed.
  • Alignment targets: Choose Artboard, Selection, or Key Object directly from the palette.
  • Bounds modes: Switch between Visible Bounds and Geometric Bounds, including clipping-path-aware handling for clipped artwork.
  • Persistent preferences: Retain the alignment target, bounds mode, spacing value, and palette position between launches.

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Installation

1. Download the Extended Align Panel.jsx script file.

2. Place the script in your Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder:

⮑ Mac: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator (Version)/Presets/(Language)/Scripts

⮑ Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator (Version)\Presets(Language)\Scripts

3. Restart Adobe Illustrator if it's already running

4. Access the script via File > Scripts > Extended Align Panel

5. Alternatively, run it directly via File > Scripts > Other Script... and browse to the file location

Tip: You can also drag and drop the .jsx file directly onto the Illustrator workspace to run the script instantly – no installation needed.

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Using the Script

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Launch the Script

Open Extended Align Panel from File > Scripts. The persistent palette remains available while you continue working in Illustrator.

  • If no document is open, the panel displays a reminder to open one.
  • If no artwork is selected, the panel prompts you to select objects and activates Illustrator’s Selection tool when possible.
  • Press Escape whenever you want to close the palette.

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➊ Select Artwork

Select the artwork you want to align or distribute before choosing an action.

  • Select one object when aligning it to the active artboard.
  • Select two or more objects for selection-based alignment.
  • Select two or more objects for object distribution or fixed spacing.
  • Unlock any objects and layers that must move.
  • Clipped groups use their clipping path when bounds are calculated.

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➋ Choose an Align To Target

Use the persistent Align To selector above the action tabs. The selected target applies to commands from both tabs.

  • Artboard: Uses the active artboard as the reference. Press 1 to select it from the keyboard.
  • Selection: Uses the combined bounds of the selected artwork. Press 2 to select it.
  • Key Object: Uses Illustrator’s native key-object state. Press 3 to select this mode.

For Key Object alignment, select all participating objects and click the intended reference object once more in Illustrator. ExtendScript cannot reliably designate the native key object itself, so the final reference-object click must be made in the document.

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➌ Choose a Bounds Mode

The Bounds selector remains available below the tabbed controls.

  • Visible: Includes strokes and appearance extents when determining object bounds.
  • Geometric: Uses the underlying path geometry without stroke width.
  • Active indicator: A checkmark and accent highlight identify the current bounds mode.

The selected bounds mode is remembered between launches and applies to alignment and distribution calculations.

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➍ Choose an Action Tab

Use the custom tab bar to switch between Align and Distribute controls.

  • Align: Displays compound and single-axis alignment buttons with a blue primary accent.
  • Distribute: Displays object-distribution and exact-spacing controls with a green primary accent.

Switching tabs does not change the active Align To target, bounds mode, spacing value, or selected artwork.

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➎ Align Objects

The Align tab contains two control panels.

  • Align Objects: The three-by-three grid combines horizontal and vertical alignment in one click.
  • Top row: Align Top Left, Align Top Center, and Align Top Right.
  • Middle row: Align Middle Left, Align Center, and Align Middle Right.
  • Bottom row: Align Bottom Left, Align Bottom Center, and Align Bottom Right.
  • Axis controls: Align Left, Horizontal Center, Right, Top, Vertical Center, or Bottom independently.

An action executes on mouse-up only when the pointer remains inside its button, reducing accidental commands and stuck pressed states.

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➏ Distribute Objects

Open the Distribute tab and use the two-by-three Distribute Objects grid.

  • First row: Distribute Top Edges, Vertical Centers, and Bottom Edges.
  • Second row: Distribute Left Edges, Horizontal Centers, and Right Edges.
  • Artboard target: Uses the active artboard as the distribution reference.
  • Selection target: Uses the selected artwork’s combined bounds.

At least two valid selected objects are required. Distribution is calculated with the active Visible or Geometric bounds preference.

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➐ Set Exact Distribution Spacing

The Distribute Spacing panel combines action buttons, a numeric field, a reset button, and a linked thumbwheel.

  • Enter the required pixel value in the numeric field.
  • Use a positive value to create a gap between objects.
  • Use zero to place neighboring bounds directly against one another.
  • Use a negative value to overlap neighboring objects.
  • Click the horizontal-spacing button to distribute from left to right.
  • Click the vertical-spacing button to distribute from top to bottom.
  • Click the reset button to restore zero spacing.
  • Drag the thumbwheel horizontally to adjust the value continuously.
  • Use the mouse wheel over the thumbwheel to change the value by individual steps.
  • Double-click the thumbwheel to reset the value to zero.

The numeric field and thumbwheel remain synchronized. Invalid numeric entries display an alert and restore the previous valid value.

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➑ Use Keyboard and Modifier Controls

Keyboard shortcuts provide quick access without replacing normal text-field editing.

  • Numpad 7, 8, 9: Align to the top-left, top-center, or top-right position.
  • Numpad 4, 5, 6: Align to the middle-left, center, or middle-right position.
  • Numpad 1, 2, 3: Align to the bottom-left, bottom-center, or bottom-right position.
  • Number 1, 2, 3: Switch the target to Artboard, Selection, or Key Object.
  • Up or Down in the spacing field: Increase or decrease the value by 1.
  • Shift with Up or Down: Increase or decrease the value by 10.
  • Cmd or Ctrl with Up or Down: Increase or decrease the value by 0.1.
  • Shift while dragging the thumbwheel: Adjust by 10 per pixel.
  • Option, Cmd, or Ctrl while dragging the thumbwheel: Adjust by 0.1 per pixel.
  • Escape: Close the palette.

The palette ignores global alignment shortcuts while the numeric field is active, allowing normal value editing.

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➒ Use Shared Controls and Footer Links

The Align To selector, Bounds selector, and footer remain available regardless of the active action tab.

  • Guide: Opens the Extended Align online user guide.
  • Support: Opens the Samolevsky Patreon page.
  • Logo: Opens samolevsky.com.
  • Theme refresh: Updates custom-drawn colors when Illustrator’s interface brightness changes while the palette is open.
  • Saved state: Restores the last target, bounds mode, spacing value, and valid on-screen palette position.

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☻ Wrap-Up

Extended Align Panel keeps alignment targets, bounds preferences, object distribution, and exact spacing in one compact Illustrator palette. Its tabbed workflow, shortcuts, persistent settings, and linked thumbwheel help make repetitive arrangement work faster while preserving precise control.

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1 comment

  • this script not working with Illustrator CC 2018..

    Tuan Hijaz -

Leave a comment

Extended Align Panel

Version: 2.0.5

Updated:

Download Extended Align Panel

  • 2.0.3

    Added correct measurement handling for regular and Large Canvas Illustrator documents. Exact distribution spacing now uses the active document's reported scale factor, preserving user-facing pixel values while converting them to Illustrator's internal coordinate scale. Centralized point and unit conversion helpers replace hard-coded assumptions, while internal bounds, artboard, alignment, and translation calculations remain unchanged.

    2.0.2

    Added safe inline arithmetic to the spacing field. Type expressions such as 100/2, 5*-2, or (10+5)*2 and commit them with Enter or by changing focus. Supports +, −, ×, ÷, parentheses, negative operands, decimal values, and live preview while typing. Incomplete expressions preserve the previous valid value and division by zero is rejected.

    2.0.1

    Added live fixed-spacing updates using the last applied horizontal or vertical direction. Thumbwheel drags, committed field edits, arrow-key adjustments, and resets now update the arrangement without another action-button click. Removed unsupported mouse-wheel instructions from the thumbwheel guidance.

    1.0.9

    Added custom Align and Distribute tabs, a green Distribute accent, reorganized spacing controls, a state-aware reset button, and a linked full-width thumbwheel.

    1.0.8

    Added object-distribution commands, horizontal and vertical fixed-spacing controls, and a validated numeric spacing field with keyboard increments.

    1.0.7

    Added persistent target and bounds selectors, keyboard shortcuts, embedded vector icons, live theme refresh, clipping-path bounds, safer mouse-up execution, and consolidated BridgeTalk operations.

    1.0.6

    Introduced the compact in-palette Align To selector, custom target icons, and Windows-safe custom text rendering.

    1.0.5

    Established the compact custom alignment interface and branded interactive footer used as the foundation for later releases.

    1.0.4

    Provided the earlier public-beta alignment palette and its core Illustrator alignment actions.

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    Tested on MacOS:

    • Adobe Illustrator 2023 (27.0)
    • Adobe Illustrator 2024 (28.1)
    • Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.0)
    • Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.3)

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    Tested on Windows:

    • Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.3)

  • Supported Versions:

    • Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and later, including Adobe Illustrator CC versions.

    Operating Systems:

    • Works on both macOS and Windows platforms.

  • End User License Agreement (EULA)

    Last Updated: 21.12.2024

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    This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal agreement between you (“User” or “Licensee”) and Samolevsky.com (“Licensor”) regarding the use of the Adobe Illustrator scripts (“Software”). By downloading, installing, or using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

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    1. Grant of License

    Licensor grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use the Software in accordance with this Agreement.

    • Free Software: If the Software is provided for free, you may use it for personal or commercial purposes without payment, subject to the restrictions outlined in this Agreement.
    • Paid Software: If the Software is provided for a fee, you may use it only after payment has been made in full.

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    2. Usage Rights

    You are permitted to:

    • Install and use the Software on devices you own or control.
    • Use the Software in your personal or commercial projects, subject to compliance with this Agreement.

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    3. Restrictions

    You may NOT:

    • Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, underlying ideas, or algorithms of the Software.
    • Reuse, incorporate, or integrate any portion of the Software into any other software, product, or project, except as expressly permitted by the Licensor in writing.
    • Resell, redistribute, or share the Software, whether in its original or modified form, without prior written consent from the Licensor.
    • Claim ownership of the Software or its underlying code.
    • Use the Software in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations.

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    4. Ownership

    The Software and all intellectual property rights therein remain the exclusive property of the Licensor. This Agreement does not transfer ownership of the Software or any intellectual property rights to the User.

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    5. Disclaimer of Warranties

    THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

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    6. Limitation of Liability

    To the maximum extent permitted by law, Licensor shall not be liable for any damages, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, arising out of or related to the use or inability to use the Software.

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    7. Termination

    This Agreement is effective until terminated. Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately if you breach any term of this Agreement. Upon termination, you must cease all use of the Software and destroy any copies in your possession.

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    8. Updates and Support

    Licensor is not obligated to provide updates, support, or maintenance for the Software. However, updates may be provided at the sole discretion of the Licensor.

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    9. Governing Law

    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

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    10. Entire Agreement

    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Licensor concerning the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter.

    By using the Software, you acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms.

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    For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at hello@samolevsky.com

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Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Learn more

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by designers, illustrators, and artists for creating a variety of digital artwork, including logos, icons, illustrations, typography, and complex design layouts. Illustrator is known for its precision and scalability, allowing users to create high-quality graphics that can be resized without losing clarity. Its features include powerful drawing tools, customizable brushes, advanced typography options, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Illustrator is a go-to tool for creative professionals working on projects for print, web, and multimedia platforms.

  • 🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder

    To install a Extended Align Panel.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator
can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:

    1. MacOS:
      Open Finder and navigate to:
      Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
    2. Windows:
      Open File Explorer and navigate to:
      C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
    3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
    4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).

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    🅱 Installing the Script

    1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Extended Align Panel.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
    2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
    3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.

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    Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.

    1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
    2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
    3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
    4. Click the Extended Align Panel script to run it.
    5. The Extended Align Panel script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.

    ☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

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