Adobe Illustrator has plenty of tools and features, but advanced users will always need more. Therefore, developers create scripts and plug-ins to help solve various problems and accelerate time-consuming processes. Today we have prepared an overview of the best free Illustrator scripts on the market. The list is systematized and is divided into several groups according to functionality. Groups include working with paths and points, different types of distribution of shapes, generating objects, working with Layers panel, text object and so on.
Scripts Installation and running
You can install scripts into Illustrator's Scriptfolder, which is in the following example location (the actual location will depend on your installation of Illustrator and language):
Windows: C:Program FilesAdobeAdobe IllustratorCC 2014Presetsen_GBScripts
Mac OS: Applications/AdobeAdobe Illustrator CC 2014Presetsen_GBScripts
In this case, to run the script go to File> Scripts> …
You can also put the script in any other convenient location on your hard drive. In this case, to run the script go to File> Scripts> Other Script … (Cmd / Ctrl + F12).
It is very convenient to start often used scripts with the help of the Script Bay plug-in. This free plug-in gives access to the list of scripts from the panel which can always be placed in a convenient spot for you.
Now look at the list of scripts which are separated by functionality:
Scripts for working with paths, anchor points and handles
Arc Twister by John Wundes
This script will twist objects selected control handles by the same amounts. After running the script you have an opportunity to choose one of five options for Handle Type, then set the parameters for Handle Lengths and Angles.
For more advanced interactive multi-handle control, please refer to the PathScribe tool as part of VectorScribe.
Fleurify by John Wundes
This script will create flowery shapes from basic shapes. Great for creating interesting patterns, logos, and so on.
This is also something often demonstrated by Astute Graphics when controlling multiple handles using PathScribe. It's great fun!
Merge Overlapped Anchors by Hiroyuki Sato
The script merges nearly overlapped anchor points and reports how many anchor points had been reduced.
Also refer to the Remove Redundant Anchor Point function in PathScribe.
Close ALL Paths by Vladimir Kapustin
This script closes all open paths in the current document. It does not connect touching paths.
Path One Direction by Yemz
The script changes the direction of the selected paths in accordance with the direction of the top object. That means that after the script is applied all the selected paths will have the same direction.
Find and Replace Graphics TransformTo Fit by Kelso
This script copies the top most object to the position and size of all other selected objects.
Objects distributing scripts
Circle Fill by Jongware
The script fills outline shape with packed circles.
To take this result further, you may wish to look at ColliderScribe.
Distribute on the Path by Hiroyuki Sato
This script allocates the objects in equal distance from each other along the chosen path. You can allocate different objects which are located in one or a couple of groups.
Dup At Selected Anchors by Hiroyuki Sato
This script duplicates the foreground object or group in the locations of the selected anchor points.
Rotate Toward Point by Hiroyuki Sato
The script rotates the objects in the selection toward the center of the foreground object.
Rotate as Top by Yemz
The script rotates randomly located objects at a certain angle of top most object.
Object Grouper by Yemz
This script colors objects in accordance with data that can be presented in absolute and percentage terms. It's useful for the expressing of data in graphic form.
Flip by Alex Sheingart
This script was designed to perform mirror reflection of object(s) relatively to the selected object(s) and the chosen coordinates.
Scripts that generate objects based on other objects or data
Metaball by Hiroyuki Sato
This script creates Metaball-like shapes.
Common Tangents by Hiroyuki Sato
This script draws common tangents to the selected curved lines, if it is possible.
For interactive placement of tangent and perpendicular paths, download and install the free SubScribe plug-in.
Tangents from a Point by Hiroyuki Sato
This script draws tangent lines from a selected anchor point to selected curved segments. You can use an isolated point as the starting point. In this case, the starting isolated point is removed after drawing tangents.
Again, the free SubScribe plug-in would also be of interest with this.
QR code by Kazuhiko Arase
The script allows generating QR code in Illustrator.
Calendar Premaker by VD
With this script you can create a calendar in just a few clicks. Select the year, name the months and days and you are done. There are some languages integrated: UK, RU, DE, UA.
Scripts with Random functions
Random Select by Loic Aigon
This script demonstrates an easy way of randomizing the selection of a given number of objects. The user can specify a percentage of up to how many objects should be considered relative (percent) to the number of objects in the current selection.
Random Swatches Fill by Yemz
The script randomly paints the objects into the colors that have been selected in the Swatches panel.
Random Opacity by Yemz
The script randomly changes the opacity of selected objects within the range 0% Ö100%.
Random Rotate Liner Gradient by Yemz
The script randomly rotates a linear gradient angle of all selected objects.
Random Order by Yemz
The script places the selected objects in random stacking order in the Layers panel. I used this script for Realistic Vector Sand and Pebble Texture Tutorial.
Scripts for working in the layers panel
Delete empty layers by Kelso
This script deletes all layers which do not have content in the current document.
Layer Export by William Ngan
This script automatically exports each layer in a document as separate PNG or PDF files.
Scripts for working with colors
Replace Color by Alex Sheingart
This script allows you to change the color swatches for fill and stroke to the other color swatches.
CMYK to Pantone by John Wundes
This script will give you the closest match of a PMS color from a selected CMYK color.
Illustrator CS3 users and later should also take a good look at the Live Color (renamed Recolor Artwork in later versions of Illustrator) function found native in Illustrator. It is much more complex to operate than John's plug-in, but also offers greater functionality.
Scripts for working with text objects
Divide Text Frame by John Wundes
This script divides multi-line text fields into separate text frame objects.
Join Text Frames by John Wundes
This script will join selected text frames together.
Clear transform text and pic by Yemz
The script allows you to reset the text objects and bitmap images to horizontal position. The script removes the transformation as Scale, Rotate, and Shear for bitmap objects, and Rotate and Shear for text objects.
For the straightening of objects including images, also try the Orient tool found free in SubScribe plug-in.
MergeText_AI by Ajar Productions Animation Studios
The script merges text (including text on a path) into one text object, while retaining the style attributes of the individual pieces, including character styles as well as paragraph styles.
Monoline Text by Jongware
This script generates polyline text.
Great list … a few on there I haven’t seen … much appreciated!
I’m glad you like it.
Cool!
Thank you!
Not Working in Adobe illustrator cc 2014.1
I gather that Script Bay isn’t compatible with CC 2014. Is that true?
Close ALL Paths is credited incorrectly: Wolfgang Reszel is missing as the original creator of this script.
Thank you for the clarification.
Fantastic script: Path One Direction by Yemz automates works on laser engraving machines. Thanks a lot!
adobe 2015 cc version 2 latest update doesn’t work with scriptbay… anyone know of a fix? the error says manifest.xml is not valid.
Hi,
I am trying to get the scripts added to Illustrator. I downloaded the file and opened with extension manager cc. I saved in C:/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator/presets/en_US/Scripts. However, when I go to add it, it only shows .js, .jsx, .vbs, .exe
It wont show the .zxp? Do I need to resave as a different extension? I am running Adobe CC 2015 latest version. Would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Ryan
Hi Ryan – .zxp extensions differ from the long-standing “traditional” extensions. Please refer to Adobe’s documentation here: blogs.adobe.com/animate/installing-zxp-extensions-using-the-manage-extensions-utility/
Thank you very much! Excellent resource for those of us just starting to delve into the topic.
I never seen this script.. Realy cool thanks!
I am not an illustrator guy, but this is crazy good. thank you for the share man!
i am unable to locate arc twister plugin after installing it in cc 2014.1. Can anybody shed some light on this
http://www.slideserve.com/dick/adobe-illustrator-cs5-illustrator
when using exporting to png script how do i select use art boards
Hi Eamon,
You would need to contact the script author for further support with this.
Just discovered this list, and I’m in love with Random Swatch Fill. Can’t believe I’ve gone so long without it. Some other gems in here too 🙂
Great list, thanks. Are there any good scripts to insert the file name and date as text?
What script do I need for opening multiple PDF pages in Illustrator?
Google is your friend – first result I found was aiscripts.com/open-multipage-pdf/
No vale ….. ya no hay ese script !!!!!
AYUDA AYUDA !!!!
Hola Chris: ¿cuál de los scripts mencionados en la nota?
Great list!
The Divide Text Frame script seems not to work properly in CC 2018. It keeps just first word and deletes the rest. Any alternative or suggestion?
Sorry – no suggestion our end. Anybody else?
It worked on my CC
The extension ‘ScriptBay’ does not contain valid signature. The extension will not be installed.
What doe this mean?
Please ask the developer 🙂
I’m looking for a script which will number anchor points. Like for a connect the dots coloring book. Help
Hi Oscar:
We do not know of any plug-in or script perform such a function at the moment.
What about a script that inserts the filename and date into a selected text box?
Is there an updated version of this script anywhere?
http://illustrator.hilfdirselbst.ch/dokuwiki/en/skripte/javascript/wr-dateandtime
Hey all,
Looking for a script that will pack selected objects into a target area and maximizing the space. The number of each selected object would have to be equal to each other.
Hi Carlos:
Have you already looked at SpaceFill? (Part of ColliderScribe). Maybe that’s what you’re looking for.
Awesome helped me a lot