Opacity mask with gradient not printable?

I am trying to use a background in Illustrator that is made from a new effect called Opacity Masks in Creative Cloud.
It groups two layers which can have transparent areas and then gradates them with a gradient. They grow gradually more transparent revealing the surface of the tube below. My printer says I cannot do this on flex press. Will not work in pre-press? Is this true?

Opacity Masks have been available in AI since at least CS3. CC might have made them easier to work with, but they're not new. They may have to be "flattened" to separate correctly.

Similar Messages

Image in a layer mask with gradient problem

Hi,
I have a image in a layer mask with an gradient on a 30c0m0y100k background and at the gradient from image to background I always get a white "shine". which NOT appears when the background is the standard photoshop-black definition in all colors.
please have look also here (where the problem is): http://adobe.ly/1yXBCix
and here where it looks like I want to have it (where I switched the layer mode of the mask to multiply and that causes that my background is not anymore 30c0m0y100k): http://adobe.ly/1HFZfC4
thanks a lot!
oliver

Yes, just save it and post it here using the little camera icon:

Move and/or Re-Size Opacity Mask with AppleScript

apologies if this is regarded as a dual post. I saw a thread about this but it only related to JavaScript.
Anyway, I cannot seem to re-scale or move the Opacity Mask of an object with Applescript. The vector item will behave just as it should, but the Opacity Mask will remain in place. As you can imagine, I have tried all manner of solutions, from trying to select raster items to move with transforming, etc. and nothing has worked. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I see...it seems to be a bug, the actual mask gets ignored. Probably to be consistent with the user interface, you can not select the mask with the mouse either.
maybe someone else has found a way to work with Opacity Masks, I haven't.
as a side note, there's no need to select the objects in order to size them or move them, you can just reference them. Also, there's no "Selected" object, change that to "selection".

Why doesn't masking with gradient layer work when regular gradient does?

If I make a regular gradient over a layer, and make it's opacity 0, and have it on 'shallow knockout', it will knockout the layer below along the 'lines' of the gradient.
However, when I make a gradient layer to do the same, and set opacity down to zero, it doesn't seem to work. Why?

If I was a more advanced artist, then I might know better when I can merge things and not, but right now, I'm a wanna be artist coming from an engineering background, where when I can't grok a whole picture, I break it down in to parts and combine them.
Like when then hand didn't look right or I needed fingers to be relocated, I brok apart the hand and fingers so could relocate them
separately then reshade them after they were in place.
Another set of things i've kept separate (are about 50-80 'hair strands' most of which have a unique color, then have a another
layer for texturing -- painting the texture onto the color made it impossible to change the look of the texture when it was wrong -- and I've changed it several times, because it didn't look right or came up with a better process/way of doing it. Then there's usually an effect layer on top of that to apply shadowing to the strand, give it a bit of 3-dimensionality, and sometimes multiple or add or something with the layers below for emphasis.
On change I made -- which helped, I started with all 3 layers in a group. and 'N' groups... (still have manny like that.. but a new section I started putting base strands in 1, group , then a copy of those layers, blanked and then painted with texture (that's usually brushed on )..., And it seem the only way to apply an effect to one set or the other (or both) is to convert them to smart objects, which still allows editing (but, unfortunately, also stores them in the same file)...
My eye's, have grown.. ll starting out in a few things, then they got more complex... as I didn't know how to really make an eye look good, so I started w/parts...and ended up with 15 layers/eye (not counting groups... things likke eyebase white, irsibase base, iris color, (base is back to pupil layer somewhere above can punch through to a black layer -- at one point (but backed off that approach, even tried to put some nerves and veins on the iris base...)..... then there's the circles of fibers that make up the iris pattern, various
tints for various fluids and transparent structures, .. YIEKS...
Not making any claims about this being a best or even good way, but when you are learning, and especially whern you come from
an engineering background where you are usd to building thigns up out of parts, .. you don't want to weld your parts together before you are at the final product...and even then, ..... what if you want to make a change?!...
Again, newbie-problem more than likely...with too much software engineering background...
Adobe should really have doing part-time work doing product usability/abusability/stability evals... I've pressed it over the limites more than once, and had to redo the way I do things to stay with in its relavtively easy (for me) to hit limits...
Like the one I posted about the layers slowing things down... trivial to rproduce...yet sounds like Adobe never heard of it.
Another parallel problem I ran into/noticed the other day -- when I MOVED, 90% of the layers (somehow they got out of alignment with 10% that were still in the origninal... could be related to a move/cancel bug I run into too often as well, which, fortunately, has a not too difficult workaround). But I moved 90% of those layers, and it only used 2 cpu's out of 6 (and no GPU usage).... took about 45 -60 seconds .. it was a *simple* +/- xy, (no rotations).. so it was something that could have been done in parallel, easily and wouldn't have been compute bound...
The other bug I've run into WAAY too often, is when trying to move an object, if I don't caefully try to nudge it with rotate, or move a
side, 1st, but instead, just put my pen in the middle of the object, to try to drag it -- it almost ALL the time, selects some base layer and moves some large percentage of the layers -- in a visually corrupting way... since when you hit escape to break out of the 'free movement)., the parts don't go back to where they belong and stay offset and random places...
But it's a visual problem only...I think (not sure how my 90% got moved), -- if you SAVE the file, then make a slight change, and then revert to the just saved copy, it cleans all up. so it's just the display that's messed up.
Anyway, slowly over time, all the layers that I originally had a paint or gradient layers surrounded with a vector, I slowly (interspersed with other stuff) converting them to fill/gradient layers which take up comparatively no space. Really speeds up manipulation of those
objects as well...
But it's slowgoing and the interface for creating a gradient to match an existing one is very awkward to use...It's too bad when you
create a gradient or paint layer to BEGIN with, that it's not automatically created as a vector Then, when you start to paint on it,
it creates a layers sized to your painting applied on top of the existing fill layer...would save all the space take by the pixels that were formula driven... Would be so much more powerful -- only storing as bits the things you need to store as bits, rather than defaulting
to 'bits' for everything (which really consumes resources!)...
Personally, Another feature but this might be specialty, or not..... but as I designed my things with parts, it would be nice to be
able to specify XY coordinate tie points between layers -- so if I moved a layer shaped like a stick, attached to another stick,
by 1 point at each end, changing the angle of the first would change the angle of the 2nd like a 'joint' -- not like a solid rod.... that
would be VERY cool!..but not holding my breath on that.
Just getting the current features to work would be nice...like the gradient masking layer... no reason that shouldn't work, but there ya go.
Maybe you know this one (unrelated...)... But I've more than once run out of temporary space (even with usually 130-150GB on my temp store. The thing is, is that adoe doesn't use any of the extra 56GB I have in my Pagefile -- I can't tell it to use more than 100%
of physical memory -- (i.e. so it would use part of the page file). I have 48GB mem, and 56GB pagefile, that's on an SSD., I'd
rather have it page to the SSD before writing temp files to disk...
If it could force pages out, to the pagefile, before resorting to a spill file, would save on space and possible speed depending on
the config... But , eh, C'est la vie.
Meanwhile, I's still ike to figure out how to solve the orignal problem, but I'm beginning to think it looks like a core bug...so it maybe hard to get around.
Thanks for your comments! As usually, appreciated!...

Creating cut mask with live trace object?

Hi, I was wondering if it´s possible to creat a "cut mask" (in my spanish version -mascara de recorte) using an object created with live trace without expanding it. I need this because whenever I expand it, the object is so big and has so many paths that is impossible for my computer memory to work properly.
Thank you!

No, that's not possible. You could only create an opacity Mask with that traced object. But you would get transparency then, this might make your workflow even more complicated depending on what exactly you're masking and what exactly the file will be used for afterwards.
Isn't it possible to simplify the path?

PDF and Illustrator CC opacity mask. The opacity mask displays perfectly in the print preview, and in the pdf document when viewed on my computer, but when printed the gradient opacity mask doesn't work. Any suggestions? Have not had this problem in ot

Never had this issues in previous versions. This IS a black/white gradient opacity mask over a black and white photo, but still don't think that is the problem.

You may try the forum LiveCycle Designer.

Logo with Gradient Opacity Mask, file format

Hi there,
This is now a very well known and certainly answered already question but:
I produce my first logo using a opacity mask that let a part of the fill color fade into any colored background (transparency then).
I used Quark for years and used to save all my vector file for importation in .EPS
Problem, in InDesign, if I want my logo to fade correctly in any colored background, I have to place a native Illustrator format in .AI (that took me a while to figure out by the way, silly me).
This is nice if your a designer and have a recent Illustrator version. But what format use to distribute the vector file that will be imported in any publishing application and keep the transparency working?
Any advice welcome. But I'd like to keep the file as vector.
Richard

Thanks for your usefull link Mordy.
After years of design, I keep learning more and more and trying to stay up to date.
Actually, I'd say that logo using transparency rely on too recent technology and might be difficult to reproduce anywhere.
Giving away a pdf file could be a solution, but I don't know if pdf can be easely imported in any publishing application.
Richard

Problem Saving PDF with Opacity Masks in Illustrator CS3

I'm having trouble exporting an Illlustrator CS3 file to PDF. I have two layers in the the .ai file that have opacity masks applied. When I save the file as a PDF, the two layers with opacity masks seem to disappear (or they are flattened down to white/100% transparency.) They do not show on screen nor when printing. I've tried opening the saved PDF in Illustrator to investigate, and the layers are still there, but with no opacity mask. Where am I going wrong? I've tried a new file with a simple shape and a simple opacity mask, and it exports fine to PDF. So something is wrong with my file set up, but I can't pinpoint what! I have also tried exporting to various versions of PDF, and nothing works. Help!
Screen cap from Illustrator:
Screen cap of PDF:
Correct (Illustrator) with subtle starburst effect:
Wrong (Acrobat PDf), no starburst!
Thanks for looking!

Not sure what's going on in your file, but it's definately having a problem with the Steaks layer. Trying to release the clipping mask and ungrouping all the layers is having a problem so it might have something to do with the way the streaks layer was built.
Using your file I replaced the streaks layer and put a starburst that's clipped to the icon shape. I've attached two files. One is for Illustrator CC so you can retain the gradient fill on the stroke which is only available in newer versions of Illustrator. The other has the starburst I created expanded so that you can open the file and retain the startburst look.
CC
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37256756/Go-IconCC.ai
CS3
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/37256756/Go-IconCS3.ai

Cropping Images with Opacity Masks | Learn Illustrator CS6 | Adobe TV

In this video you will learn a versatile method for cropping images in Adobe Illustrator CS6 and CS5. Using opacity masks allows you to retain the area of the image you cropped out, modify the clipping path later, and use complex blending modes, transparencies, and knockout groups.
http://adobe.ly/V8tTZD

Firstly great tutorial.
Anyway I initially started a thread in the forums which lead me here regarding the use of opacity masks, I'm having real problems finding a solution to my specific problem.
I've got 2 issues I'm trying to solve, the first is how do I show just a portion an object above another even though it sits in a layer behind.
The second is I have an object with a linear gradient applied and I want to add yet another gradient just to a certain part of that object in order to make it fade out in a certain way.
I've spent hours pouring through the help topics but nothing seems to fit my exact problem, sorry for asking questions here but I'm really stumped and I think an opacity mask would do the trick, I'm just not sure how to execute it.
Thanks heaps.
http://forums.adobe.com/message/5125695#5125695

Gradient opacity mask logo-import into InDesign?

Hi all,
I have a quick question—I am using CS4 (illustrator & InDesign) on a Mac OSX platform.
QUESTION: I have a one-colour logotype (just text) that fades into transparency (a gradient opacity mask applied to the type in Illustrator). I would like to verify how I should properly prepare and import this logo into InDesign—to be sure I do not lose the actual transparency effect on various pages when applied in my InDesign book.
Thanks kindly,
Chemol

The idea that eps is not transparent never actually coinsided with my experience, I admit I do not have lot of experience using eps but whenever I have for the most part I used the eps art with transparent background like this file the signature and the cyan arectangle and the image of the ESB are composed in Illustrator and save as one eps file placed in ID.
As you can clearly see it has a transparent back ground.
I have save eps logos and palce it in QuarkXpress as well with the same result?
If you save the eps with a white background then it willhave a white background.
Here see for yourself.
I meant as an opaque preview then you would have a white background.

How do I import an image with an opacity mask from AI into FW

I have created a graphic in AI which contains several images with associated opacity masks. The mask use a radial gradient to achieve the desired effect. I am unable to import these images into FW with the mask effects intact even though the layers appear to be there. What am I doing wrong? I don't see away to do it in FW directly. If there's a work-around that would be appreciated too.

Fireworks' masking is pretty good. If you have your object and your mask in FW, arrange the objects so that the mask is above the object, select both, then click on
Modify > Mask > Group as Mask
Where the mask is white, your object will be fully opaque. Where the mask is black or 100% transparent, your object will be fully transparent. Where the mask is grey or partially transparent, your object will be, as well, proportionally to the grey level/transparency level in the mask.
Fireworks also has some built-in masks to fade objects radially or linearly. In CS3, these are under
Commands > Creative > Fade Image
but they got moved someplace else for CS4. I can't find the info on that in the help, though, sorry. Oh wait. It might be the Auto Vector Masks:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/10.0_Using/WS29D46793-C43E-4941-960E-F238FB1977C8.ht ml
Mask info here:
CS3: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/9.0/help.html?content=frw_layers_la_19.html
CS4: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/10.0_Using/WS4c25cfbb1410b0021e63e3d1152b00d169-8000 .html

Resizing or moving an opacity mask along with the items inside it

I'm trying to resize a opacity mask by doing
transMaskItem.resize(
10, //scaleX,
10, //scaleY,
true, //[,changePositions]
true, //[,changeFillPatterns]
true, //[,changeFillGradients]
true, //[,changeStrokePattern]
0.1, //[,changeLineWidths]
This resizes the item, but it does not resize the item inside it. I tried similar command with the translation command
transMaskItem.translate(
100, //([deltaX]
100. //[,deltaY]
True, //[,transformObjects]
True, //[,transformFillPatterns]
True, //[,transformFillGradients]
True, //[,transformStrokePatterns])
and similar thing happened. The item gets moved, but the object inside it doesn't.
How do I resize or translate an opacity mask along with the items inside it?

I see...it seems to be a bug, the actual mask gets ignored. Probably to be consistent with the user interface, you can not select the mask with the mouse either.
maybe someone else has found a way to work with Opacity Masks, I haven't.
as a side note, there's no need to select the objects in order to size them or move them, you can just reference them. Also, there's no "Selected" object, change that to "selection".

Adding layers with opacity masks

I wanna use a opacity mask for multiple layers and different designes, but everytime I make a mask with the transparency panel it locks my layers to one layer and does not let me add any new ones or go back to my other stroke designes on other layers, so I do a mask in new artbourds on a new tab for each designe to get the textures I want, how do I combine them for one big design?

Before I make the mask
and After

Logo with gradient clipping mask into InDesign?

Hi all,
I have a quick question—I am using CS4 (illustrator & InDesign) on a Mac OSX platform.
QUESTION: I have a one-colour logotype (just text) that fades into transparency (a gradient clipping mask applied to the type in Illustrator). I would like to verify how I should properly prepare and import this logo into InDesign—to be sure I do not lose the actual transparency effect on various pages when applied in my InDesign book.
Thanks kindly,
Chemol

Hi Bob, thank you for your response—I meant to say my mask was an "opacity mask" (applied in the transparency panel) does that make a difference? Will the opacity still work in InDesign as an ai placed link?
Also, does it matter if I just copy the logo in illustrator, then past it into InDesign? (or is that a poor methodology?)
Thanks kindly,
Chemol

Problems with gradient tool bar not remaining on object applied in illustrator cc

Hello,
when applying a gradient to a rectangle i will get the gradient tool, click on the left half of the object i want it applied to and while holding down drag a line to thew right hand side of the object. the problem the arises when i release the mouse as the gradient bar that has been shown while holding down then disappears. this applies the gradient but the issue is that all gradient editing has to be done on the gradient window as a posed to live on the object slowing the work flow.
I am not sure what I'm doing wrong but help would be much appreciated.
Kind regards
Joseph

Just for the sake of learning how to use the tool i start with drawing a rectangle then click and drag the gradient tool across the box. i see the gradient line appear but when i release the mouse the gradient line disappears
i end up witha box with a gradient but all my editing has to be done in the gradient box as shown in this screen shot:
What I'm wanting to achieve is how the lades hat is edited in this video Working with gradients | Visual Design CS4 | Adobe TV

Opacity mask with gradient not printable?

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