Type Tweaker

Script for Adobe Illustrator

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Overview

Introducing Type Tweaker, the essential Adobe Illustrator script for designers who demand precision and efficiency in their typography.

This powerful tool empowers you with pixel-perfect control over every aspect of your text, from font size, leading, and tracking, to squashing, rotation, baseline shift, alignment, and more.

With an intuitive interface, a built-in font browser, and a color picker, Type Tweaker streamlines your workflow, allowing you to quickly experiment with different styles in real time and achieve consistent results across your projects. Say goodbye to tedious manual adjustments and hello to effortless, high-quality typography.

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Key Features:

• Precise Control:
  Adjust font size, leading, tracking, squashing, rotation, baseline shift, text alignment, capitalization, caps options and more with pixel-perfect accuracy.
• Integrated Font Browser:
  Effortlessly select fonts and styles from a beautifully organized library.
• Advanced Color Customization:
  Seamlessly switch between color models (RGB, HSB, CMYK, and HEX) with instant synchronization.
• Immediate Visual Feedback:
  Instantly see the effects of your adjustments, allowing for rapid experimentation and refinement. Revert to original settings if needed by clicking Cancel.
• Streamlined Workflow:
  Reduce repetitive manual adjustments and achieve consistent text styles across your projects.

Install the Script

• Place the script file in your Adobe Illustrator scripts folder:
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  MacOS: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
  Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
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• Restart Adobe Illustrator to load the script into the File > Scripts menu.

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How to Use:

1. Select one or more text frames or groups containing text frames.
2. Run the script by selecting File > Scripts > Type Tweaker.
3. A dialog window featuring three interactive tabs will be displayed.

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➊ Adjustments Tab

The Adjustments Tab within the Type Tweaker script provides a centralized hub for fine-tuning all the essential typographic properties of your selected text. Here's a breakdown of its functionality:

1. Font Size: Precisely adjust the size of your text in points.
   Drag the slider to increase or decrease the font size from 6 pt to 500 pt.
   Enter specific values in the input field for exact sizes.
   
   
2. Leading: Control the vertical spacing between lines of text for optimal readability and visual hierarchy.
   Use the slider or input field to adjust leading from 1 to 500 pt.
   
   
3. Tracking: Adjust the spacing between individual characters to fine-tune letterfit and create desired visual effects.
   Adjust the slider to condense or expand the spacing (-1000 to 1000 EM).
   
   
4. Vertical Scale: Adjusts the height of the text without changing its width (1% to 200%).
   Use sliders or input fields to stretch or compress text proportions.
   
   
5. Horizontal Scale: Adjusts the width of the text without changing its height (1% to 200%).
   Useful for fitting text within specific constraints or creating unique visual styles.
   
   
6. Baseline Shift: Adjust the vertical position of the text relative to the baseline, allowing you to precisely align text with other elements or create superscripts, subscripts, or unique visual effects. Range: -100 px to 100 px.
   
   
7. Rotation: Rotate each character to any angle, adding a dynamic and creative element to your designs.
   Adjust the slider or enter precise rotation values (-180° to 180°).
   
   
8. Text Alignment: Easily align text to the left, right, center, or justify within its container.
   
   
9. Caps Options: Quickly change the case of your text.
   Choose an option from the dropdown menu (Normal Caps, All Caps, Small Caps) to apply the desired caps style.
   
   
10. OK: Apply all changes and close the dialog.
    Cancel: Discard changes and revert to the original text properties.

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Live Preview: All changes are applied instantly to the selected text frames, letting you see results in real time.

Fine-Tuning: Use the numeric input fields for precise adjustments or ↑↓ arrow keys for incremental changes.

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➋ Font Picker Tab

The Font Picker Tab within the Type Tweaker script simplifies the process of selecting and applying fonts to your text.

How to Use the Font Picker Tab

1. Open the Font Picker Tab:
   Navigate to the Font Picker tab in the dialog interface.
2. Browse Font Families:
   Expand a font family node by clicking the arrow next to its name.
3. Select a Font Style:
   Click on a specific style to preview it live on the selected text frames.
4. Browse different families and styles to find the perfect font for your design.
   Click OK button to apply all changes and close the dialog.

ⓘ Tip: If a font family is selected without expanding its styles, the script applies the "Regular" style by default.

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➌ Color Picker Tab

The Color Picker Tab in the Type Tweaker script is a comprehensive tool for adjusting the text color using multiple color models. It provides a synchronized interface for HEX, RGB, HSB, and CMYK adjustments, ensuring that changes in one model reflect seamlessly across all others. It also includes the ability to fill text with colors from the document swatches, making it easier to maintain design consistency and use predefined color palettes.

1. HEX Color Input:
   Allows users to directly enter a 6-character HEX color code to set the text color.
2. RGB Adjustments:
   Adjust the Red, Green, and Blue channels to control the color.
3. HSB Adjustments:
   Modify the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness for vibrant color control.
4. CMYK Adjustments:
   Adjust Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (K) channels for print-friendly colors.
5. Swatches Dropdown List:
   Allows users to apply colors from the document swatches to selected text frames.
6. The OK button in the Type Tweaker script is used to finalize all the adjustments made during the session.
   Once clicked, it applies the changes permanently to the selected text frames and closes the dialog.

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☻ Wrap-Up

The Type Tweaker script is a versatile and powerful tool for customizing typography in Adobe Illustrator. With its intuitive interface and live preview functionality, it empowers designers to fine-tune text properties with precision and ease.

From adjusting font size, tracking, and alignment to selecting fonts and applying custom or swatch-based colors, the script simplifies complex text editing tasks while ensuring non-destructive workflows. Whether you’re working on digital designs, branding, or print layouts, Type Tweaker offers the flexibility and control needed to bring your creative vision to life.

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