Select by Blending Mode
Script for Adobe Illustrator
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Functionality:
Select by Blending Mode is a powerful script designed to streamline object selection in Adobe Illustrator based on their blending modes. It offers granular control over the selection process, allowing users to:
- Select by specific blending mode (e.g., Multiply, Screen, Overlay).
- Select all matching or non-matching objects based on the chosen blending mode.
- Define the selection scope (Active Document, Active Layer, Active Artboard, Active Selection).
- Skip group items with matching blending modes.
- Automatically locate selected items on the canvas.
Whether you’re working on a detailed project or performing a quick cleanup, this script saves time and minimizes manual effort, making it easier to refine your artwork.
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Install and Run the Script
- Place the script file in your Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder:
⮑ MacOS: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
⮑ Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
ㅤ - Restart Adobe Illustrator to load the script into the File > Scripts menu.
- Open your document and go to File > Scripts > Select by Blending Mode to launch the script.
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Configuring Selection Criteria
Once the script is executed, a dialog box will appear.
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➊ Matching Type
“Select all:” dropdown menu allows users to configure the matching behavior of the selection process.
It provides two primary options:
1. Matching Items:
- When selected, the script will target and select all objects in the specified scope that match the chosen blending mode.
- Example: If “Overlay” is selected in the blending mode dropdown, all objects with the blending mode “Overlay” will be selected.
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2. Non-Matching Items:
- When selected, the script will target and select all objects in the specified scope that do not match the chosen blending mode.
- Example: If “Overlay” is selected in the blending mode dropdown, all objects with any blending mode other than “Overlay” will be selected.
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Additional Notes:
- The dropdown enables flexibility by allowing users to isolate objects based on their blending mode or focus on those that deviate from a specified blending mode, depending on the project needs.
- It works in conjunction with other settings such as blending mode, search scope, and group handling to refine the selection criteria further.
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➋ Blending Mode
“Blending” dropdown menu allows users to specify the blending mode to target during the selection process. This dropdown lists all blending modes available in Adobe Illustrator, enabling users to refine their selection based on visual effects applied to objects.
When a blending mode is selected, the script identifies objects in the defined scope (e.g., document, layer) that match this blending mode.
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Available Blending Modes:
• Normal: No blending effect applied.
• Darken: Selects the darker color between the object and background.
• Multiply: Multiplies the base color by the blend color, resulting in a darker effect.
• Color Burn: Increases contrast by darkening the base color.
• Lighten: Selects the lighter color between the object and background.
• Screen: Combines colors to create a lighter, brighter result.
• Color Dodge: Brightens the base color to reflect the blend color.
• Overlay: Combines Multiply and Screen effects for increased contrast.
• Soft Light: Applies a subtle lighting effect.
• Hard Light: Applies a more intense lighting effect.
• Difference: Subtracts the blend color from the base color.
• Exclusion: Similar to Difference but with a lower contrast.
• Hue, Saturation, Color, Luminosity: Adjusts objects based on specific color properties.
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Use Case Example:
If you want to identify all objects using the Overlay blending mode in the active layer, select “Overlay” from this dropdown and configure the other options as needed. The script will then find and select those objects for easy editing or review.
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➌ Selection Scope
“Search in” dropdown menu allows users to define the scope within the Illustrator document where the selection process should be applied. It provides flexibility by letting users limit or expand the selection area based on their project needs.
1. Active Document:
- Searches through all unlocked and visible objects across the entire document.
- Useful for global operations when no specific layers or areas are targeted.
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2. Active Selection:
- Searches only within the currently selected objects in the document.
- Ideal for refining selections or focusing on a pre-selected subset of objects.
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3. Active Layer:
- Restricts the search to objects on the currently active layer.
- Great for layer-specific operations, ensuring no other parts of the document are affected.
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4. Active Artboard:
- Limits the search to the objects within the currently active artboard.
- Useful when working on multi-artboard documents to isolate specific areas.
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How It Works:
- The script evaluates the chosen scope and selects objects that match the specified blending mode (or non-matching, depending on the first dropdown).
- It ensures that only visible and unlocked objects within the defined scope are processed.
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Use Case Example:
If you need to find all objects with the Multiply blending mode on the active artboard, set the blending mode to “Multiply” ("Blending:" dropdown), choose “Active Artboard” ("Select In:" dropdown), and run the script. It will only process objects within the current artboard, leaving the rest of the document untouched.
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➍ 'Skip Groups' Checkbox
The “Skip Groups” checkbox refines the selection process by instructing the script to ignore groups with the matching blending mode, ensuring that only individual objects, whether inside or outside groups, are evaluated and selected.
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Key Behavior:
1. Checkbox Unchecked:
- The script processes both individual objects and groups.
- If a group matches the specified blending mode, the entire group (along with its contents) is selected.
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2. Checkbox Checked:
- The script skips over groups that match the specified blending mode, focusing only on individual objects.
- Objects inside groups are still evaluated and can be selected if they independently match the criteria.
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How It Works:
- If enabled, groups with the matching blending mode are ignored entirely, leaving only individual objects in the selection.
- The script drills down into group contents, allowing it to evaluate and select individual objects that meet the criteria, even if the parent group is skipped.
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Use Case Example:
If your document contains grouped objects with a blending mode of Overlay, and you want to avoid selecting those groups but still select standalone or nested items with the same blending mode:
- Enable “Skip Groups” checkbox.
- Configure the blending mode to “Overlay” and other selection parameters as needed.
- Run the script. The groups will be ignored, while matching individual objects outside or within groups will be selected.
➎ Functionality of the Buttons
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OK Button:
Executes the selection process based on the user-configured parameters in the dialog box.
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Cancel Button:
Closes the dialog box without performing any action.
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⏼ Open Guide:
Opens a help resource for further assistance.
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☻ Wrap-Up
The Select by Blending Mode script is a versatile and user-friendly tool designed to simplify the process of selecting objects in Adobe Illustrator based on blending modes. By providing customizable options for blending mode, search scope, and match type, this script empowers designers to efficiently manage complex artwork and streamline their workflows.
Whether you’re fine-tuning a detailed composition or performing a quick cleanup, this tool saves time and reduces manual effort, allowing you to focus on creativity.
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