Batch conversion

[thomas bro]

I have in the neighbourhood of 12.000 AI files ranging from vers. 5 to 9 (including).

These all HAVE to be batch converted into AI vers. 10 format.

Is an action the solution AND are there any settings that SHOULD be used.

[Philip Lee Peterson]

Yeah, I'd do an action (unless I got paid by the hour...). As to settings, I suppose it depends on what you want.

[Ian A. Wright]

Thomas:

The following steps will open Illustrator format files that are stored in a folder called "Illustrator Files," convert a copy of these files to EPS format, and store the converted files in a folder called "EPS Files". You can, of course, use whatever folder names you wish. This same technique can be used to modify files for any of the formats in which Illustrator can save (.ai, .eps, or .pdf).
* Create an "Illustrator Files" folder containing the .ai files you wish to batch convert.
* Create an empty folder called "EPSFiles"
* Open one of the .ai files in Illustrator 9/10.
* Create a new action by going to the Action Palette and selecting "New Action" from the palette flyout menu.
* Name the new action and select the "Record" button.
* Record the following action:
* File>Save As
* Select EPS format
* Save it in the "EPS files" folder
* Select Stop Recording from the Actions Palette flyout menu.
* Select the "Batch" command from the Actions Palette flyout menu
* In the Batch dialog box, under source click on the choose button. Browse to your "Illustrator Files" folder, select it so that it is highlighted and select the "OK" button. Do not select any of the checkbox options.
* Under destination select "Folder." Select "Choose", browse to your "PDF Files" folder and select "OK." Do not select any of the checkbox options.
* Click on OK.

[thomas bro]

Thanks guys

I tried that, and it ALMOST worked.

The real problem is that these files are scattered around in tons of folders and subfolders. The entire structure of these folders should be maintained. That creates a problem because the folder options can only choose one folder. My system sort of jams when I have 14277 files in the same folder (+plus some filenames are the same but in different folders)

Isn't it possible to just leave them where they are, overwrite and update to a common and newer format (which has to be EPS vers.9), That would also be harddisk saving since the sum of all files is around 12GB)

thomas

[Ian A. Wright]

Thomas:

I recommend you drop over to the Adobe Scripting Forum for further expert help.

[Kevin Brenner]

Thomas' To find a script that upgrades all the file in the existing directories would be nice. That is the same trouble I have at work, way to many files and like to keep them in their respective folder. I would figure someone would had created this script in VB, but I have never seen it arround here. Maybe I'll make it some time since I see many requests for it,just not enough time!

My recomendation, BACKUP all the files before you do any mass conversion. and if you find something, please let me know

Kevin

[thomas bro]

So far I have this workaround (and it works)

1) First I hyave created a text file with an exact description of alle the files in all folders/subfolders (using WinCommander). 2) This file is the edited in thw way that each line is preceed with a 'copy filename.eps X:\???\filename.eps.

This means that after alle files have been converted and MOVED to one folder I can copy/move them back to their original places.

3) Converting them into the same Illustrator format is not (after several trys!) not that difficult.

keep smiling thomas