Nifty, FREE AI scritpting plugin: vector halftones

[Broacher]

I ran across this one the other day and it's pretty neat.

There's versions for AI9, 10, and CS.
www.scriptographer.com/main.php

Tip: if you try the raster to vector scripts, keep your rez real low -- it always maps one object per pixel, and it can easily freeze out with anything high. And even then it's pretty slow-- but it works! Some of the tools are fun to play with to.

[retro]

i dont quite understand what it does exactly. i know it allows you to ue javascripts with ai, but to what benefit? i dont quite get how you could even use a javascript with illy. can you give me an example/explanation?

[Broacher]

The big thing that I wanted to do is to be able to convert raster halftones into vector halftones-- that is, where all the dots are vector circles... or whatever.

This plugin does that (and some more). You install it into your plugin folder, setup the scripts in some other directory, and open up AI. Then you go to Windows to find the palette, and click on a script from the list.

I'll try and post a sample later tonight, I have to run.

[Broacher]

Here's a quick sample.

[retro]

thats awesome! are all of those stars vectors?

[MD]

ya they are.....

I'm going to download and play around with that when I get home

I wish I had something clever to put here.......

[Broacher]

Don't forget to dl the scripts themselves, too. And be sure you get the right version to match your AI.

Caution: those raster to vector scripts are quirky (and SLOW, and memory hogs), and have caused my AI to lock up a few times-- as did some of the other tools. Overall though--for the money, hey!