Smart Color Replacer

Script for Adobe Illustrator

✦ Available exclusively on Patreon for Pro supporters.

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Description

Smart Color Replacer is a powerful Adobe Illustrator script designed to streamline the process of managing and replacing colors within selected objects. Instead of manually hunting down every instance of a specific color, this script analyzes your selection, identifies all unique colors (including those in gradients and text), and presents them in an intuitive interface. You can then easily filter similar colors and replace them globally within your selection using Hex codes or a native color picker.

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Key Features

Deep Color Extraction: Detects colors in Fills, Strokes, Text frames (character-level), Groups, Compound Paths, and even individual Gradient Stops.
Smart Filtering: Isolate specific color ranges using a Reference Color and a Similarity Threshold. Perfect for finding all variations of "blue" in a complex illustration.
Real-Time Preview: See your color changes instantly on the canvas before committing them.
Selective Recoloring: Choose which properties to recolor with dedicated Fill, Stroke, and Text checkboxes.
Zoom to Color: Instantly zoom to objects containing a specific color in your artwork.
Direct Replacement: Replace any identified color by typing a Hex code or using the system color picker.
Gradient Support: Uniquely identifies and allows replacement of individual colors within gradient ramps.

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Installation

1. Download the Smart Color Replacer.jsx script file.

2. Place the script 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 Adobe Illustrator if it's already running.

4. The script will appear in File > Scripts > Smart Color Replacer.

5. Alternatively, you can run the script directly by going to File > Scripts > Other Script... and selecting the file from any location.

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Using the Script

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Select Your Objects

Start by selecting the artwork you want to modify in Adobe Illustrator. You can select a single object, a group, or a complex illustration containing text and gradients.

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Run the Script

Go to File > Scripts > Smart Color Replacer (or Other Script... if you haven't installed it).
Script dialog will appear with multiple options.

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The script window is divided into four main sections:

Color List: A scrollable list of every unique color found in your selection.
Filter by Color: Tools to help you find specific colors in your selection.
Recolor Options: Choose which properties to recolor (Fill, Stroke, Text).

➊ Replacing Colors

In the Color List, each row represents a unique color found in your selection:

Identify: The left swatch shows the original color. The text describes it (e.g., "RGB: 255, 0, 0" or "Gradient 50% R=...").
Replace Method A (Hex): Type a new Hex code (e.g., #0000FF) directly into the text box. Changes update in real-time as you type.
Replace Method B (Picker): Click the color swatch or the color description label to open the Color Picker and choose a new color visually.
Zoom to Color: Click the ✚ button to zoom the canvas to show all objects containing this specific color.
Reset: Click the ✖ button to revert that specific color to its original state.

➋ Filtering Colors (Optional)

If you have more than 10 colors, the filter panel becomes active to help you narrow them down:

Color: Click the swatch, click the "Color:" label, or enter a Hex code to set a "Reference Color".

Threshold: Adjust the slider (0-100%) to include colors that are similar to your reference.

0% matches only the exact color.
Higher values include a broader range of similar hues.
Use Up/Down arrow keys to adjust by 1, or Shift+arrows to adjust by 10.
Right-click the scrollbar or click the "Threshold:" label to reset to 100%.
Clear Filter: Click this button to reset the threshold to 100% and show all colors matching the reference.

➌ Recolor Options

The Recolor panel allows you to control which properties are affected by color replacements:

Fill: Check to recolor fill properties (enabled by default).
Stroke: Check to recolor stroke properties (enabled by default).
Text: Check to recolor text objects (enabled by default).

These options work with both Preview mode and final color replacement.

➍ Previewing Changes

Preview Checkbox: Keep this checked to see your changes applied to the artwork in real-time (enabled by default).
Hide Edges: Check this to hide the blue selection outlines, giving you a clear view of the colors.
All color changes are fully reversible with ✖ buttons until you click OK.

➎ Finalizing

OK: Click to apply all your changes permanently to the artwork.
✚ : Click to fit the entire selection in the window.
Cancel: Click to close the script and discard all changes (your artwork will revert to its original state).

Advanced Tips

Resizable Window: Drag the dialog edges to resize and view more colors at once. The color list adapts automatically.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Use Up/Down arrows in the Threshold field for precise control (Shift for larger steps).
Quick Filter Reset: Click the "Threshold:" label to instantly reset to 100%.
Color Picker Options: The script uses Illustrator's native color picker when available, falling back to the system picker if needed.

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Smart Color Replacer empowers you to take full control of your artwork's color palette with speed and precision. By automating the tedious task of finding and swapping colors across complex objects and gradients, you can focus more on your creative vision and less on manual adjustments.

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#Color

Previous

Smart Color Replacer

Version: 1.0.0

Updated: February 6, 2026

Download Smart Color Replacer

1.0.0 – Initial release.
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Tested on MacOS:
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- Adobe Illustrator 2023 (27.0)
- Adobe Illustrator 2024 (28.1)
- Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.8)
- Adobe Illustrator 2026 (30.0)
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at hello@samolevsky.com

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Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Learn more

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 Smart Color Replacer.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).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Smart Color Replacer.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 Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
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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 Smart Color Replacer script to run it.
5. The Smart Color Replacer 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.

🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder
To install a Smart Color Replacer.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).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Smart Color Replacer.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 Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
ㅤ
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 Smart Color Replacer script to run it.
5. The Smart Color Replacer 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.

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