Exporting linked images with overlays

hi,

 

i'm using indesign cs5.5 on os x lion.

 

i have linked images in indesign document want export jpg , maintain original file naming scheme. part easy (export html, in images folder; export epub, in images folder of archive; etc.). i'm struggling when there overlays added in indesign. examples of overlays: part labels (e.g., "a", "b", "c"), text labels, arrows, lines, etc. way i've found export overlays this:

-group placed image , overlay items together

-apply object export options grouped item such custom rasterization checked

-export via 1 of options (e.g., html, epub)

 

i 1 image per group, want. problem filename image random number. need filename original image used.

 

i've tried exporting other formats, e.g., pdf (and using extract image options) doesn't preserve overlays in extracted images (which makes sense since pdf sees letters text).

 

i figure have write script. before embark on quest, hoping opinions on whether a) such script possible , b) whether there better way. specific workflow considerations, moving adding of these overlays images outside of indesign (e.g., via photoshop) not option.

 

i envision script following:

-set custom rasterization on every grouped object

-export grouped objects , other linked images jpg (with settings)

-the exported images links preserve original filename (adding "_fmt" indd okay) , grouped items use filename of linked image part of group (and fallback random number if there no such image). in case filename not specified, embed original filename of linked image in group

 

obviously, if script grouping of objects (e.g., finding linked image, checking see if there on top of it, grouping together), better, i'm not holding breath. :-)

 

thanks,

steve

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