Spotlight is a high-speed search feature built into macOS. For example, with PDF files, when a search keyword is entered, Spotlight incrementally finds files containing that string within their contents and displays them in a list.
It’s convenient to find the file with the text typed inside as a clue—especially in situations like, “I think I created an illustration with similar content before,” or “I need old data for a revision, but where did I save it?”
However, with Illustrator files (.ai), Spotlight cannot detect text within the file. Searches only return results based on filenames, so relying on our own memory is the only way to access the content. If full-text search is to be implemented using makeshift methods, the following approaches could be considered, for example.
- Include a summary in the file name
- Create a separate PDF or text file for search purposes, in addition to the Illustrator file (.ai)
However, that would be too time-consuming, and clients often specify naming conventions like “001-01.ai.” Ideally, it would be great to be able to search using the usual .ai files without having to take any special action on the parts.
So this time, meet Artfind.mdimporter, a Spotlight plugin for macOS that makes it possible to search for text and other information within Illustrator files (.ai).
目次
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Once installed, this plugin allows Spotlight to search for certain information inside Illustrator files (.ai). It’s called “Artfind.mdimporter.”
It targets Illustrator documents (.ai files) from Illustrator 9 or later that are PDF-based, adding that searchable information to the Spotlight database. It works best with files where “Create PDF Compatible File” was enabled when they were saved.
Alongside standard items like filenames and modification dates, the following information is searchable:
| Information (Key Name) | PDF Compatible Save | Description |
|---|---|---|
| All Text （kMDItemTextContent） | Required | All text in the file |
| Layers （com_sttk3_artfind_layers） | Required | All layer names |
| Fonts （kMDItemFonts） | Not required | Names of fonts used (retrieved from XMP metadata) |
| Inks Used （com_sttk3_artfind_plates） | Not required | Names of ink plates used (e.g., Cyan, Magenta) (retrieved from XMP metadata) |
| Swatches （com_sttk3_artfind_swatches） | Not required | Color swatch names. A list in the format "Group Name/Swatch Name" (retrieved from XMP metadata; excludes patterns and gradients) |
| Overprint （com_sttk3_artfind_hasVisibleOverprint） | Not required | Whether the file contains overprint (retrieved from XMP metadata) |
| Transparency （com_sttk3_artfind_hasVisibleTransparency） | Not required | Whether the file contains transparency (retrieved from XMP metadata) |
*For .ai files created in Illustrator 8 or older, only standard items are recognized.
Which version does this support?
Compatible with macOS 10.15 or later. Works on macOS even if Adobe Illustrator is not installed. Does not work on Windows.
Successfully tested
- macOS 10.15(Intel)，11.7/12.7/13.6/14.3/15.7/26.1/27.0(Apple Silicon)
*Not compatible with macOS 10.14.
How do I install it?
An installer is provided as a pkg file. Open the installer Artfind.pkg and follow the prompt. That’s all required.
The plugin will be placed here.
/Users/username/Library/Spotlight/Artfind.mdimporter
Unable to open the installer
Applications downloaded from the Internet that are not from a registered developer require the user’s approval to run.
Up to macOS 14 (Sonoma), simply right-click and select [Open] from the context menu to allow it.
(Open a Mac app from an unidentified developer (macOS 14) – Apple Support)
It appears that right-clicking to launch the app no longer works starting with macOS 15 (Sequoia). Instead, please go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Security > Allow applications from. Click the [Open Anyway] button to launch the app.
(Open a Mac app from an unidentified developer (macOS 15) – Apple Support)
How do I use it?
Shortly after installation is complete, the Spotlight database will be updated, and searching will become available. There is no need to take any specific action, such as launching the app yourself.
Searching for files using Spotlight or Finder should now return the expected results. If you want to check whether it’s working right away, run the following command in Terminal.app.
|
1 |
mdimport -d3 -t 'target_path.ai' |
If results like this appear, it’s a success.
|
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 |
Imported 'target_path.ai' of type 'com.adobe.illustrator.ai-image' with plugIn /Users/username/Library/Spotlight/Artfind.mdimporter. 35 attributes returned { ... "com_sttk3_artfind_layers" = ( Layer1, Layer2 ); "com_sttk3_artfind_plates" = ( Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black ); ... kMDItemTextContent = "Noida Gurgaon Mumbai Nanakaramguda Bangalore"; } |
.ai file information is not detected
Depending on the OS version, the time it takes for the plugin to be detected and for the Spotlight database to update may vary.
In particular, on macOS 10.15 and 11, Artfind.mdimporter may not be detected even after waiting for some time. Please try restarting the OS. It should then be recognized.
Even if Artfind.mdimporter is working successfully, the Spotlight database won’t register the .ai file information right away, so only standard items like the filename will be available. In that case, add the folder containing the target files to Spotlight’s “Prevent Spotlight from searching these locations” list, then remove it from that list. This will register the folder in the database.
(Prevent Spotlight searches in files on Mac (macOS 15) – Apple Support)。
Want to buy!
This Spotlight plugin can be purchased on Ko-fi Shop. It can be used on up to two Macs per user.
Ko-fi: 27 USDLet’s make the days of searching around wondering, “Where did I lose that file?” a thing of the past!
