Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join

Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join

Script for Adobe Illustrator

Description

The Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join script for Adobe Illustrator allows users to quickly select paths based on their stroke cap and corner join styles. This script is particularly useful for designers and illustrators who need to ensure consistent stroke settings across multiple paths in a complex design.

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.
  • Go to File > Scripts > Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join to launch the script.

Using the Script

  • Once the script is executed, a dialog window will appear with various options:

 

 

➊ Stroke Cap Selection 

The Stroke Cap determines how the stroke ends at open path segments in Adobe Illustrator. It controls the appearance of line endings, affecting the visual flow and style of your artwork.

 

 

Select the stroke cap type that you want to filter:

1.1 Any Cap

  • Selects all paths regardless of their stroke cap type.
  • Useful when you only care about stroke join types and not the stroke endings.

 

 

1.2 Butt Cap

  • Creates a flat end at the endpoint of the stroke.
  • The stroke stops exactly at the path’s end without extending.

 

 

1.3 Round Cap

  • Extends the stroke beyond the path endpoint and rounds it off.
  • Results in smooth, circular ends.

 

 

1.4 Projecting Cap

  • Similar to butt cap, but extends the stroke slightly beyond the endpoint.
  • Creates a square extension beyond the path’s endpoint. 

 

 

Tip: Click the icon representing the stroke cap type you want to filter. The corresponding radio button will be selected automatically.


➋ Stroke Corner Join Selection

The Stroke Corner Join determines how Illustrator renders the corners where two stroke segments meet. It controls the appearance of stroke junctions, affecting sharpness, smoothness, and continuity.

Select the stroke corner join type that you want to filter:

 

 

2.1 Any Join

  • Selects all paths regardless of their stroke join type.
  • Useful when focusing on stroke caps without considering corner styles.

 

2.2 Miter Join

  • Creates a sharp, pointed corner where strokes meet.
  • The outer edges extend until they meet at an angle.
  • If the angle is too acute, Illustrator may limit the extension to prevent overly long spikes (controlled by the miter limit).

 

2.3 Round Join

  • Rounds off the corners where two strokes meet.
  • Creates a smooth, curved transition instead of a sharp point.

 

2.4 Bevel Join

  • Cuts off the corner where strokes meet at an angle.
  • Instead of forming a point (miter join) or rounding (round join), Illustrator flattens the corner by chopping it off.
  • Creates a flat diagonal edge at the junction.

 

Tip: Click the respective icon to select a join type.


➌ Selection Scope

The Selection Scope (Where to Search:) determines where the script will search for paths based on the chosen stroke cap and corner join settings. Instead of applying the selection to the entire document, you can narrow down the search to specific areas.

 

The script provides four options for defining where it should look for matching paths:

Active Document

  • Searches through all paths in the entire document (regardless of layers, artboards, or selections).
  • This is the broadest search option, ensuring that every matching path in the file is selected.

Active Selection

  • Searches only within currently selected objects.
  • If no objects are selected before running the script, it will show an alert message.

Active Artboard

  • Searches for paths only within the currently active artboard.
  • Ignores objects outside of the visible area of the active artboard.

Active Layer

  • Searches only within the currently active layer.
  • Ignores paths located in other layers, even if they match the stroke cap or join settings.


➍ Execute the Selection

The OK button in the Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join script serves as the execution trigger for selecting paths based on the user’s chosen criteria. Once clicked, the script processes the selection and highlights paths that match the specified stroke cap and corner join types within the defined selection scope.

When the user clicks OK, the script performs the following actions in sequence:

  • Determines the selected Stroke Cap (Butt, Round, Projecting, or Any).
  • Determines the selected Stroke Join (Miter, Round, Bevel, or Any).
  • Checks where to search based on the selected Selection Scope (Active Document, Selection, Artboard, or Layer).
  • The script scans all paths in the selected scope.
  • It compares each path’s stroke cap and join type with the user’s selected options.
  • If a path matches, it is added to the selection.
  • If a large number of paths exist, the script displays the progress bar to show real-time progress.

After processing, the script displays a confirmation message indicating:

  • The number of paths selected.
  • The selected stroke cap and join criteria.
  • The search scope used.
  • The script then automatically centers and zooms into the selection so users can immediately see the results.

 


➎ Additional Features

🅰 Select All Paths Without Stroke

This feature allows users to instantly select all paths that do not have a stroke in the active document.

 


  • Click the 'No Stroke' icon button in the script menu.
  • The script scans the entire document for paths that does not have a stroke
  • It selects all matching paths and displays a confirmation message.

🅱 Cancel Button

  • Clicking Cancel immediately closes the dialog box.
  • No selections or modifications will be applied.

🅲 Open Help Guide

  • Click the ⏼ Icon in the bottom right of the dialog window.
  • The script opens an online User Guide for the script, providing instructions and additional information.


☻ Conclusion 

The Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join is a powerful tool for managing stroke attributes in Adobe Illustrator, allowing users to quickly select paths based on stroke cap and corner join settings.

With an intuitive UI, custom selection scopes, and additional features like 'Select All Paths Without Stroke', it streamlines workflow efficiency for designers and illustrators.

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Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join

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.

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    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.

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    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

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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 Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join.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 Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join.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 Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join script to run it.
    5. The Select Paths by Stroke Cap and Corner Join 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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