Master Adobe Illustrator: Create Brand Color Code List in Seconds

Master Adobe Illustrator: Create Brand Color Code List in Seconds

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Problem with Typing Out Color Information
3. A Quicker Way to Get Color Codes in Adobe Illustrator
4. Installing the Script and Action Files
5. Getting Pantone Colors
6. Getting RGB Colors
7. Getting CMYK Colors
8. Formatting the Color Information
9. Adding Hex Codes Manually
10. Conclusion

The Quickest Way to Get Color Codes in Adobe Illustrator

Have you ever had to type out all the color codes of a logo or design in Adobe Illustrator? If you've created brand style guides before, you know how time-consuming and tedious this task can be. But what if there was a faster way to get all the color information you need? In this article, we'll show you a quicker method using a script and action files by Katja Bjerrum from productivista.com.

Introduction

When creating a brand style guide or working with logos and designs, it's crucial to have access to the color information. However, manually typing out the color codes for each color in a palette can be a pain. Thankfully, there is a solution that can automate this process and save you valuable time. By using a script and action files created by Katja Bjerrum, you can easily get Adobe Illustrator to write out all the color codes you need.

The Problem with Typing Out Color Information

Typing out color information for each color in a brand style guide or design can be time-consuming and prone to errors. It's a repetitive task that designers often wish could be completed faster. While Adobe Illustrator provides options to view and copy color codes, it doesn't offer a way to automate the process. Manually typing out the hex codes can be especially frustrating. But fear not, there's a solution that can make your life easier.

A Quicker Way to Get Color Codes in Adobe Illustrator

Katja Bjerrum, a talented designer and developer, has created a script and action files that can significantly speed up the process of getting color codes in Adobe Illustrator. By using her script, you can automatically generate a color chip guide for any logo or design you're working on. The script works for most color codes except for hex codes, which still need to be entered manually. But overall, this method can save you a tremendous amount of time and effort.

Installing the Script and Action Files

Before you can start using the script and action files, you need to install them in Adobe Illustrator. The script file, with a .JSX extension, and the action file, with a .AIA extension, can be downloaded from productivista.com. Once downloaded, locate the script files folder in Adobe Illustrator's installation directory. On a Mac, it's usually located at Applications/Adobe Illustrator [version]/Presets/en_US/Scripts. On Windows, it will be something like Program Files/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator/CC [version]/Presets/en_US/Scripts. After installing the script file, it will appear in the File > Scripts menu in Adobe Illustrator. To install the action file, open the Actions panel in Adobe Illustrator and choose "Load Actions" from the hamburger menu. Navigate to the downloaded action file and select it. Now you're ready to start using the script and action files.

Getting Pantone Colors

When creating logos or designs, it's common to use Pantone colors for accurate and consistent representation. With the script and action files installed, you can easily extract the Pantone colors from your designs. Open your design in Adobe Illustrator and select the elements with Pantone colors. Run the installed action by pressing the assigned function key, such as Shift + F2. The action will create a color group with all the Pantone colors and remove any existing color groups from the swatches panel. This process allows you to quickly gather all the Pantone colors you need for your brand style guide or design project.

Getting RGB Colors

In addition to Pantone colors, you may also need RGB colors for your brand style guide or design project. To obtain the RGB values, change the document color mode to RGB and select the elements with RGB colors. Run the installed action again, and it will create a color group with the RGB values. You can easily move the RGB colors to a different location in your design or update the formatting to your preference.

Getting CMYK Colors

For projects that require CMYK colors, you can use the script and action files to extract the CMYK values from your design. Change the document color mode to CMYK and select the elements with CMYK colors. Run the installed action once more, and it will create a color group with the CMYK values. You can now format and arrange the CMYK colors as needed for your brand style guide or design project.

Formatting the Color Information

After obtaining all the necessary color codes - Pantone, RGB, and CMYK - you can format the color information to fit your brand style guide's requirements or your personal preferences. You may choose to add labels, rearrange the order of the color codes, or customize the formatting for consistency. By using find and replace functions, you can quickly modify the text to match your desired format. Take your time to fine-tune the presentation of the color information to ensure clarity and readability.

Adding Hex Codes Manually

Unfortunately, the script and action files do not provide an automated way to obtain hex codes. You will need to manually gather and add the hex codes for each color in your brand style guide or design project. To find the hex code for a specific color in Adobe Illustrator, select the corresponding element and double-click on it. The hex code will be displayed in the color panel. Take note of the hex codes and add them to your color information.

Conclusion

Typing out color codes for logos or designs can be a time-consuming and tedious task. However, with the script and action files created by Katja Bjerrum, you can significantly expedite this process in Adobe Illustrator. By automating the extraction of Pantone, RGB, and CMYK colors, you can save valuable time and ensure accuracy in your brand style guide or design project. Although adding hex codes still requires manual effort, the overall speed and efficiency gained from using the script and action files make it a worthwhile investment for any graphic designer or brand manager. Say goodbye to the hassle of manually typing out color codes and embrace this quicker method for obtaining color information in Adobe Illustrator.

Highlights

• Speed up the process of getting color codes in Adobe Illustrator
• Install script and action files provided by Katja Bjerrum
• Extract Pantone, RGB, and CMYK colors with ease
• Format color information to fit your brand style guide
• Manually add hex codes to complete the color information
• Enjoy a faster and more efficient workflow in Adobe Illustrator

FAQ

Q: Can I use the script and action files for any version of Adobe Illustrator? A: The script and action files provided by Katja Bjerrum should work for most versions of Adobe Illustrator. However, there might be slight variations in the installation process or compatibility with older versions. It's always a good idea to check the specific requirements and instructions provided by the script's creator.

Q: Can I customize the format of the color information? A: Yes, you can customize the format of the color information to fit your brand style guide or personal preferences. By using find and replace functions, you can modify the text to match your desired format. Take your time to fine-tune the presentation of the color information for clarity and readability.

Q: Is there an automated way to obtain hex codes with the script and action files? A: Unfortunately, the script and action files do not provide an automated way to obtain hex codes. Hex codes will need to be manually gathered and added to your color information. To find the hex code for a specific color in Adobe Illustrator, select the corresponding element and double-click on it. The hex code will be displayed in the color panel.