Layers Batch Renamer

Script for Adobe Illustrator

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Description

This script is a powerful tool for Adobe Illustrator users that allows for efficient batch renaming of layers. It provides a comprehensive interface with multiple options for renaming layers individually or in batches, making it especially useful for organizing complex files with many layers.

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Key Features

• Layer Management: View, filter, and select layers in a hierarchical display.
• Multiple Renaming Methods: Replace names, add prefixes/suffixes, find and replace text, and add sequential numbering.
• Smart Selection: Options to rename only selected layers or all visible layers.
• Visual Preview: See new layer names before applying changes.
• Sublayer Support: Display and rename nested sublayers.
• Special Placeholders: Use dynamic tokens like {n} for original name, {d} for date, etc.

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Installation

1. Download the Layers Batch Renamer.jsx script file.

2. Place it 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 Illustrator if it's already running.

4. Access the script via File > Scripts > Layers Batch Renamer.

5. The script will open a dialog showing all layers in your current document.

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Using the Script

ㅤ➊ Selecting Layers
ㅤ➋ Renaming Options
ㅤ➌ Using Placeholders
ㅤ➍ Applying Changes
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➊ Selecting Layers

The Layers List is a central component of the Layers Batch Renamer interface that displays and manages layer information. It provides a comprehensive view of your document's layers with several sophisticated features:

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• Shows each layer in a multi-column format.
• Updates dynamically when using the search filter.
• Displays hierarchical numbering in the first column.
• Shows the current layer name in the second column.
• Shows real-time previews of how layers will be renamed.

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1.1 Filter Layers

Use the search box at the top to filter layers by name.

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1.2 Select Layers

• Click on individual layers to select them.
• Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple non-consecutive layers.
• Hold Shift to select a range of layers.
• Double-click on any layer to locate and select its content.

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1.3 Browse Layers

Scroll through the list to view all available layers.

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1.4 Rename Only Selected Layers

If "Rename only selected layers" is checked, only selected layers will show preview names.

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1.5 View Sublayers

• Check the "Display sublayers" option to show nested layers.
• The script uses indentation (⮑) for sublayers when "Display sublayers" is checked.

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Clicking the ‘T’ icon opens a dialog displaying a comprehensive help guide on dynamic placeholders.

This guide provides:

• An overview of placeholders and their purpose.
• Descriptions of each placeholder and its corresponding value.
• Instructions on using placeholders for renaming layers.
• Examples demonstrating placeholder usage.

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➋ Renaming Options

The Renaming Options panel in the Layers Batch Renamer script provides a comprehensive set of tools for customizing how layers are renamed. This panel contains multiple sections with different renaming capabilities that can be used independently or combined for powerful layer naming workflows.

 

2.1 Enter Name Field

• Allows you to specify a new base name for selected layers.
• Completely replaces the original layer name.
• Updates the preview in real-time as you type.
• Can contain special placeholders (like {n}, {i}, etc.).

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2.2 Number Sequence Options

Add number sequence checkbox:

• When enabled, appends sequential numbers to layer names.
• Activates the divider and base index fields.

Reverse order button (↕):

• Toggles the direction of the numbering sequence.
• When enabled, counts down instead of up (e.g., 5, 4, 3, 2, 1).

Divider field:

• Specifies the character(s) that separate the layer name from the number.
• Default is a hyphen (-) but can be any character or string.

Base index field: 

• Sets the starting number for the sequence.
• Default is 1. Supports keyboard arrow keys to increase/decrease the value.

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2.3 Prefix and Suffix Options

Prefix field:

• Adds text to the beginning of layer names.
• Can contain special placeholders.
• Applied before any other renaming operations.

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Suffix field: 

• Adds text to the end of layer names.
• Can contain special placeholders.
• Applied after the main renaming operation.

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2.4 Find and Replace Options

Find field:

• Specifies text to search for within layer names.
• Supports case-sensitive matching.
• Can find multiple instances within a single name.

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Replace field:

• Specifies the text that replaces found matches.
• Can contain special placeholders.
• Can be empty to remove found text.

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➌ Using Placeholders

The placeholders in the Layers Batch Renamer script are dynamic tokens that can be inserted into any text field to create intelligent, context-aware layer naming systems. These placeholders are automatically replaced with specific values when the renaming is applied.

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Available Placeholders

{n} - Original Layer Name

• Inserts the original name of the layer.
• Useful for preserving parts of existing names while adding additional information.
• Example: "Button_{n}" would turn "Close" into "Button_Close".

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{d} - Current Date

• Inserts the current date in YYYY-MM-DD format.
• Useful for versioning or tracking when layers were created/modified.
  
• Example: "Logo_{d}" might become "Logo_2025-03-04".

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{t} - Current Time

• Inserts the current time in HH:MM format.
• Useful for more precise timestamping.
• Example: "Draft_{t}" might become "Draft_14:30"

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{fn} - Document Filename

• Inserts the name of the current Illustrator document.
• Useful for maintaining consistency between layer names and the file they belong to.
• Example: "Asset_from_{fn}" might become "Asset_from_Project_Mockup.ai".

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{i} - Index Number

• Inserts the position number of the layer in the sequence.
• Different from the number sequence feature as it's embedded within text.
• Example: "Section_{i}_Header" might become "Section_3_Header".

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{ir} - Reversed Index Number

• Inserts the position number of the layer in the sequence.
• Different from the number sequence feature as it's embedded within text.
• Example: Bottommost layer in the layer's stack will be 1.

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{p} - Full Layer Path

• Inserts the complete hierarchical path of the layer.
• Includes all parent layers separated by ">" symbols.
• Example: "{p}_Element" might become "Main Content > Navigation > Element".

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➍ Applying Changes

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Previewing Changes

• As you configure renaming options, the list will update to show a preview of new names.
• The arrow (→) indicates which layers will be renamed.
• If "Rename only selected layers" is checked, only selected layers will show preview names.

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Applying Changes

• Review the preview to ensure the changes look correct.
• Click the "Rename" button to apply all changes.
• A confirmation dialog will display the number of layers successfully renamed.

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Additional Features

• Layer Navigation: Double-clicking a layer selects it in the Layers panel and zooms to its content.
• Locked Layers: Locked layers appear grayed out and cannot be renamed.
• Help Tips: Hover over any control to see a tooltip explaining its function.
• Resizable Dialog: Click and drag the window’s edges to resize it.
• Documentation: Click the icon in the bottom right corner for the full user guide.

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☻ Final Notes

The Layers Batch Renamer script is a powerful tool for Adobe Illustrator users who need to manage complex documents with numerous layers. By combining the interactive layer selection capabilities of the layers list with the versatile renaming options and dynamic placeholders, you can create sophisticated naming systems that save time and improve organization.

Whether you're renaming a few selected layers or restructuring an entire document's layer hierarchy, this script provides the flexibility and precision needed for professional workflows. The real-time preview feature ensures you can see exactly how your changes will appear before committing them, eliminating guesswork and potential mistakes.

The Layers Batch Renamer transforms what was once a tedious, manual task into an efficient, automated process, allowing you to focus more on design and less on file management.  

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