Image Selector
Script for Adobe Illustrator
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Description
A powerful Adobe Illustrator script that helps you quickly find, filter, and select linked or embedded images in your document. Perfect for managing complex documents with multiple images, identifying missing links, and streamlining your workflow.
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Key Features
- Dual Image Management: Separate tabs for linked and embedded images
- Smart Search: Real-time filtering to quickly find specific images
- Multi-Selection: Select multiple images at once
- Missing Link Detection: Automatically identifies and highlights missing linked files
- Visual Markers: Optional red markers to highlight missing links on the artboard
- Zoom to Fit: Automatically centers and zooms to selected images
- Locked/Hidden Detection: Alerts you when images cannot be selected due to layer states
- Batch Selection: Select all linked or embedded images with one click
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Installation
1. Download the Image Selector.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 > Image Selector
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 Scriptㅤㅤ
Getting Started
- Open a document in Adobe Illustrator that contains linked or embedded images
- Run the script from File > Scripts > Image Selector
- The Image Selector dialog will appear with two tabs: Linked and Embedded:
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Working with Linked Images
The Linked tab displays all externally linked image files in your document.
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To select linked images:
- Switch to the Linked tab (if not already active)
- Browse the list of linked images or use the search field to filter by filename
- Click on one or more images to select them (hold Cmd/Ctrl for multiple selections)
- Click OK to select the images in your document
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Quick actions:
- Double-click any image in the list to instantly select it and zoom to fit
- Click Select All Linked Images to select every linked image in the document
- Use the Search field to filter images by name in real-time
- Click the ✖ button to clear your search
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Working with Embedded Images
The Embedded tab shows all embedded images and raster objects in your document.\
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To select embedded images:
- Switch to the Embedded tab
- Browse or search for embedded images by name
- Select one or more images from the list
- Click OK to select them in your document
Note: Unnamed embedded images are automatically labeled as [Embedded Image #1], [Embedded Image #2], etc.
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Finding Missing Links
If your document contains missing linked files, the script will detect them automatically.
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To highlight missing links:
- Check the Highlight Missing Links checkbox at the bottom of the dialog
- Red circular markers with a "?" symbol will appear on the artboard over each missing link
- Missing links are listed as [Missing Link #1], [Missing Link #2], etc.
- Select them from the list to locate and fix them
Note: The markers are temporary and will be removed when you close the dialog or make a selection.
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Search and Filter
Both tabs include a powerful search feature:
- Type any part of a filename in the Search or Find field
- The list updates in real-time to show only matching images
- Search is case-insensitive and supports partial matches
- Click the ✖ button to clear the search and show all images again
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Locked and Hidden Images
The script respects layer states and will alert you if images cannot be selected:
- Locked images: You'll receive a notification showing how many images are locked
- Hidden images: You'll be notified if images are on hidden layers
- Solution: Unlock layers or make them visible before running the script
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Tips and Best Practices
- Before relinking: Use the script to identify all missing links in one go
- Batch operations: Select multiple images to perform actions on them simultaneously
- Quality control: Run the script before finalizing documents to ensure all images are properly linked
- Large documents: Use the search feature to quickly locate specific images by name
- Workflow integration: Combine with Illustrator's Links panel for comprehensive image management
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Wrap Up
Image Selector streamlines your Illustrator workflow by automating the tedious process of finding and managing image links. With its powerful search and selection capabilities, you can keep your documents organized and focus more on your creative work.
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