QuarkXPress and AppleScript

Re: need script to create inline boxes (Quark 8/Mac OS 10.5.4)

sanlee — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:05:53 GMT

Hi Emma,

I posted here in the hope that I could go any easier route for now -- just some Applescript code to place boxes where the labels SB and LB are, but no luck so far.

I've spent some time trying to understand the XData manual, but it is truly over my head. Greg was checking to see if he had any similar XData projects that could be adapted for my use, but it doesn't look like he was succesful.

Michel is looking into the possibility of helping me with an XTags solution.

I have to do about 3 of these directories per month so I'm hoping to come up with a solution fairly soon :-)

Thanks for answering!

Re: need script to create inline boxes (Quark 8/Mac OS 10.5.4)

Emma — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:22:19 GMT

Sanlee posted about this a month ago (on the XTensions forum) - at that time he/she was using XData.

Greg and I offered help but heard no more so hoped problems all solved.

So, Sanlee, have you decided to go with a scripting solution after all? If Michel doesn't think scripting is the best route, you should listen to him as he knows all there is to know!

As for XTags, I've not used it much, but I still think XData would have been a good idea. What were the problems with the XData approach? Or was it financial reasons?

Emma

Re: need script to create inline boxes (Quark 8/Mac OS 10.5.4)

Scripting_Ace — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:19:42 GMT

Hi Sanlee,

You should really look into Xtags by Em Software for this. It will allow you to import your pre-formatted text right into Quark.

Hope this helps!

need script to create inline boxes (Quark 8/Mac OS 10.5.4)

sanlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:23:03 GMT

I'm in need of a script to create 2 sizes of inline (anchored) boxes in a Quark 8 document. BTW, I'm using OSX 10.5.4.

The Quark document is several pages of a business directory that is formatted as 4 columns per page. The listings that would need an inline box are preceeded by "SB" or "LB".

Here's an example of the text:

CATERING SERVICES

Bob's Catering
750 Main St.
New York, NY 01234
SB
Charlie's Catering
750 Main St.
New York, NY 01234
LB
Elaine's Catering
750 Main St.
New York, NY 01234
Frank's Catering
750 Main St.
New York, NY 01234

The listings preceeded by "SB" (Small Box) or "LB" (Large Box) are the ones that need inline boxes.

I want the script to create a 9p10 x 6p inline box when it finds SB and create a 9p10 x 10p inline box when it finds LB.

It also would be great if the script could take the 3-line listing text under the SB or LB and place that text into the inline box.

Is this doable? The directory is for a nonprofit organization so there's very little money to work with, but I'd be willing to pay a fee if someone could write this for me.

Thanks.