Select by Opacity Range
Script for Adobe Illustrator
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Overviewㅤ
The Select By Opacity Range script for Adobe Illustrator allows users to quickly select objects based on their opacity levels within a defined range. The script provides an interactive dialog where users can specify the search scope (entire document, active selection, active layer, or active artboard) and define minimum and maximum opacity thresholds.
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This tool is particularly useful for designers working with transparency effects, ensuring precise selection and editing of objects with different opacity levels. It supports batch selection and includes options for selecting groups, saving settings, and zooming into selected objects.
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Installation
- 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 > Select By Opacity Range to launch the script.
- When the script runs, a dialog box appears with the following components:

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➊ Choosing Selection Scope
The Selection Scope in the Select By Opacity Range script determines where the opacity-based selection will be applied. This allows users to target specific areas of their Adobe Illustrator document for more precise selection and efficient workflow.
Selection Scope Options:

Active Document
- Functionality: Selects objects from the entire document, regardless of which layer or artboard they are on.
- This is the broadest selection scope and includes all visible and unlocked objects.
- Use Case: Best for applying the opacity filter to the entire artwork when cleaning up files or adjusting transparency levels globally.
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Active Selection
- Functionality: Selects only from the currently selected objects in the document.
- Use Case: Useful when you want to refine opacity within a specific group of objects without affecting other elements in the document.
- Ideal when working on complex illustrations where you only want to modify certain parts.
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Active Layer
- Functionality: Selects objects that belong to the currently active layer (Locked layers are ignored).
- If multiple layers exist, only the objects inside the selected layer are affected.
- Use Case: Helps manage transparency within a single layer without affecting objects in other layers.
- Ideal for structured workflows where transparency adjustments are applied layer by layer.
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Active Artboard
- Functionality: Selects objects within the currently active artboard’s boundaries.
- If an object overlaps multiple artboards, it will only be selected if its center falls inside the active artboard.
- Use Case: Perfect for multi-artboard documents, where users want to modify transparency in only one section without affecting the rest of the file.
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➋ Defining Minimum Opacity
The Opacity Range feature in the Select By Opacity Range script allows users to filter and select objects based on their opacity levels within a defined range. This gives precise control over which objects are affected, ensuring that only those meeting the specified transparency criteria are selected.
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Minimum Opacity:
- Adjust the slider or type a value (0% - 100%) to set the lowest opacity limit.
- Objects with opacity below this value will not be selected.

➌ Defining Maximum Opacity
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Maximum Opacity:
- Adjust the slider or type a value (0% - 100%) to set the highest opacity limit.
- Objects with opacity above this value will not be selected.
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Additional Notes:
- Hold Shift while pressing the ↑ Up / ↓ Down arrows to fine-tune values.
- The small squares next to the sliders change color dynamically to preview the selected opacity range.

➍ Additional Selection Options
The Select Groups checkbox in the Select By Opacity Range script determines whether the script selects entire groups or individual objects within groups based on the specified opacity range.
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How It Works
- When checked, the script selects entire groups if the group’s opacity falls within the defined range.
- When unchecked, the script selects only individual objects inside groups that match the opacity criteria, ignoring the group’s overall opacity
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How Illustrator Handles Group Opacity
- In Illustrator, a group can have an opacity value that applies to the entire group, affecting all objects inside.
- However, individual objects within a group can have their own opacity settings, independent of the group’s opacity.
This checkbox provides control over whether the script selects full groups or only individual objects based on their opacity.
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➎ Running the Selection Process
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OK Button
- Executes the selection process based on the chosen opacity range and selection scope.
- A progress bar will track the selection process.
- Once completed, a summary message will display the number of selected objects/groups.
- After selection, the script automatically zooms into the selected objects for easier visibility.

Cancel Button
- Closes the dialog without making any selections or changes.
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➏ Additional Functionality
In addition to the main opacity range selection, the Select By Opacity Range script includes several additional features that enhance usability and efficiency.
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🅰 Select All Partially Transparent Objects
- Functionality: Instantly selects all objects with opacity between 1% and 99% (partially transparent objects).
- Ignores fully opaque (100%) and fully transparent (0%) objects.
- Use Case: Useful for finding and adjusting semi-transparent overlays, shadows, or gradient effects.

🅱 Select All Fully Transparent Objects
- Functionality: Selects all objects with 0% opacity (completely invisible objects).
- Ignores objects with any other opacity level.
- Use Case: Helps in identifying hidden objects that might be redundant or accidentally left in the document.
- Useful for cleaning up unnecessary elements that may increase file size or clutter the workspace.

🅲 Save Settings Checkbox
- Functionality: When checked, saves the user’s current opacity range and selection scope.
- These settings are automatically loaded the next time the script is run.
- Use Case: Saves time for users who frequently work with the same opacity selection criteria.
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🅳 Open User Guide
- Clicking the help icon ⏼ opens the user guide in a web browser.
- Useful for new users who need a step-by-step guide on how to use the script.
- Allows users to stay updated on any new features or improvements in future versions of the script.
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The Select By Opacity Range script is a powerful tool designed to simplify the process of selecting objects in Adobe Illustrator based on their opacity levels.
Whether you need to adjust semi-transparent elements, remove fully transparent objects, or refine opacity settings, this script provides a precise and efficient way to manage transparency in your designs.
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