Adobe Illustrator scripts
Meet Your Illustrator Scripts Helpers
← Back to all scripts

Swatches Maker

TURN ONE RASTER IMAGE INTO AN ORGANIZED GLOBAL ILLUSTRATOR COLOR PALETTE.

Build a practical palette from a photograph, scan, or raster reference in one click.

Swatches Maker runs a temporary Illustrator Image Trace, combines very similar samples, prioritizes prominent and distinct colors, gently optimizes the palette, and creates a uniquely named group of Global Process Color swatches with tint support.

Choose from 5 to 100 target colors for compact design palettes or detailed color exploration.

INDIVIDUAL LICENSE

1 USER up to 2 DEVICES

10 €

CHECKOUT

Opens in the store

TEAM LICENSE

UP TO 10 USERS

30 €

CHECKOUT

Opens in the store

SAVE WITH BUNDLES

HOW SWATCHER MAKER WORKS

RASTER REFERENCE

Select one clean raster reference.

RUN SWATCHER MAKER

Open a document and select exactly one placed or embedded raster image. Choose File > Scripts > Other Script and select SwatchesMaker.jsx, or choose File > Scripts > SwatchesMaker after

Choose how many colors you need and then click CREATE SWATCH GROUP.

RESULT

A compact, sorted global swatch group is ready for illustration, branding, editorial, or packaging work.

NO MORE PICKING AND SAVING EVERY COLOR BY HAND.

HOW SWATCHES MAKER WORKS

  • Place or embed one raster image and select it.
  • Launch Swatches Maker.
  • Choose a target of 5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40, 50, 75, or 100 colors.
  • Click CREATE SWATCH GROUP.
  • Open the Swatches panel and review the uniquely named group.
  • Apply global colors and use Illustrator Tint controls as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Adobe Illustrator 2025, 2026
  • macOS or Windows
  • RGB documents only
  • Exactly one selected PathItem with a linear or radial gradient fill.
  • A visible, unlocked PlacedItem or RasterItem on the bottommost usable raster layer.
  • Every calculated sampling point inside the active artboard.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

  • The selected count is a maximum target; the actual palette may contain fewer colors.
  • White and dominant background colors can be included; crop unwanted areas first.
  • Output uses RGB Global Process Colors; review color conversion for CMYK work.
  • There is no preview or manual color editing inside the dialog.
  • High color counts and detailed images can take longer.

INCLUDED WITH SWATCHES MAKER

  • Protected SwatchesMaker.jsx script
  • README.txt
  • QUICK_START.pdf
  • Full User Guide
  • PACKAGE_CONTENTS.txt
  • IMPORTANT-DO-NOT-EDIT.txt