Panels Manager

Panels Manager

Script for Adobe Illustrator

Description

The Panels Manager script is a powerful yet simple tool for Adobe Illustrator, designed to help users manage and toggle panels more efficiently. With its intuitive and compact user interface, users can quickly search, view, or hide commonly used Illustrator panels. The dynamic search functionality and interactive list make panel navigation seamless, saving valuable time during creative projects and optimizing the workspace.

Setup

  • 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 > Panels Manager to launch the script.
  • A floating panel titled 'Panels Manager' will appear.

 

 

Interact with the Panel

➊ Search Bar

The Search Bar in the Panels Manager script is a key feature designed to help users quickly find and filter the panels they need. Here’s what it does:

Functionality:

  • As you type in the search bar, the list of panels in the listbox is filtered in real-time.
  • Only panels that match the entered text (based on their names) remain visible, making it easier to locate specific options.
  • The search bar is not case-sensitive, so typing “gradient,” “Gradient,” or “GRADIENT” will yield the same results.

Usage:

  • To Search: Start typing the name of a panel (e.g., “Gradient”) in the search bar.
  • To Clear the Search: Delete the entered text to return to the full list of panels.

 


➋ Select Panels

The list of panels acts as the heart of the Panels Manager, bridging the gap between Illustrator’s functionality and a user-friendly control center. Here’s what it does:

Displays Available Panels:

  • The list shows all the panels included in the Window menu, such as “Layers,” “Gradient,” “Swatches,” and more.
  • Each item in the list represents a specific Illustrator panel, accompanied by an icon and a descriptive name.

Interactive Selection:

  • Users can click on a panel name to select it from the list.
  • Double-clicking on a panel immediately toggles its visibility in Illustrator.

Panel Activation:

  • The list dynamically updates based on the search bar input, showing only panels that match the search query.
  • The script executes the appropriate Illustrator menu command for the selected panel when it is activated or when the '⏯' button is clicked.

Interacting with the List of Panels:

  1. Single Click:
    Highlight a panel without activating it. This allows users to confirm their choice before toggling it.
  2. Double-Click (or Press Enter):
    Instantly show or hide the selected panel.
  3. Select and Click the '⏯' Button:
    Use the ⏯ button to toggle the selected panel’s visibility.


➌ Toggle Panels

The ⏯ Button in the Panels Manager script is a key interactive element that works in conjunction with the list of panels. Here’s a detailed explanation of what it does:

Toggles Panel Visibility:

  • When you select a panel from the list and click the  Button, the script executes the corresponding Illustrator command for that panel.
  • This command either: Opens the panel if it is currently hidden or hides the panel if it is already open.

ⓘ Tip: Pressing Enter on the keyboard performs the same action as clicking the OK Button, ensuring quicker workflows for keyboard users.

How to Use the OK Button:

  1. Select a panel from the list (manually or via the search bar).
  2. Click the  Button to toggle the visibility of the selected panel.
  3. Alternatively, double-click the panel in the list or press Enter for the same functionality.


☻ Additional Features

The Panels Manager script includes several additional features designed to enhance user experience and streamline workflow.

🅰 Close Button

  • Users can click this button (or press Esc) to quickly close the dialog without needing additional actions.
  • The script also allows the dialog window to be resized horizontally and vertically.

🅱 Open User Guide

  • A dedicated icon ⏼ in the footer provides access to a user guide and more design resources.

Take control of your Illustrator workspace and streamline your workflow today with Panels Manager!

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Panels Manager

Version: 1.0.0

Updated:

    • 1.0.0 – Initial release.

    Tested on MacOS:

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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

Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Use this text to share information about your brand with your customers. Describe a product, share announcements, or welcome customers to your store.

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 Panels Manager.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).

    🅱 Installing the Script

    1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Panels Manager.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 IllustratorTo refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.

    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 Panels Manager script to run it.
    5. The Panels Manager 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.

Got questions?

Need help or have an idea to share? We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, found a bug, have a feature request, or just want to share your feedback, reach out to us—we’re here for you! 

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