Paint effect with Illustrator file

I have an Illustrator graphic of a plant that I want to animatate to look like it is growing. The Stroke effect does not give me that desired look as it just animates the outline of the shape and the Paint effect does not seem to work the same in Creative Cloud as it did in prevoius versions of AE.
I have a few questions. Can you not use the paint tool on Illustrator files? If I try to double click the layer to open in the layer window, the computer beeps. I have to right click to open in the layer window. I also cannot not use the paint tool on the AI file once it is loaded in the layer window. As a test, I saved the AI files as a PSD and tried to use the paint tool to create my animation and it appears that no longer use that tool to reveal an image. I can just animate the strokes.
Is there a way to use the Stroke effect the way I want to or is there another way to create my animation.

I did figure out after posting this that I was using one .ai file and one .eps file—the .ai was showing up fine in the pdf and the eps was showing up screwy.
odd thing though, when I just re-exported using pdf/x–1a settings, now both images appear muddy! but fine when I turn "overprint preview" on. I just don't want my publisher to have to tell everybody to turn overprint preview on...they shouldn't have to do that for editors etc, non design people.
maybe the new "smallest file size" will be fine though since this is a press preset...we'll see.

Similar Messages

Sizing PSDS for After Effects / Preparing Illustrator files for After Effects

3 questions
For the longest time I have been told when importing PSDs to
After effects, in order to keep circles circles (proper ratios) I had
to make a 720 540 PSD file and then crunch it down to 720 486. Then import the file to a D1 NTSC 720 486 after effects comp and everything works fine.And it does and always has
I have now been told otherwise. People claim they view in DV NTSC view
in Photoshop at 720 486 and then just import to a 720 486 DV1 After
Effects comp and everything is fine.
That view mode in Photoshop is for viewing purposes only though so this
confuses me. Sure you can sit there and stretch your picture to look
right in that mode but that doesn't make sense. Going 540 to 486 is
quicker.
But one weird thing I noticed is if you save your PSD with the NTSC
view mode turned on it will automatically import to After Effects with
DV NTSC comp settings. Otherwise it will import into a Square Pixels
comp.
So to simplify my questions are the following.
1. Is there a way to avoid creating a 720 540 PSD and then crunching
down to 486? And somehow keep circles circles and photographs not
stretched.
2. Why does the DV viewing mode in Photoshop effect the importing into
After Effects if it's just for preview purposes?
That said I like that viewing mode in Photoshop because when I do my
720 540 to 720 486 crunch I can see that everything will look fine.
If anyone can help it would be much appreciated. I've been fine doing what I'm doing but for the last couple years I have been told there's a quicker way and haven't found anyone who knows.
And my final question #3 is
How do you import an illustrattor file into After Effectcs with
layers? I know how to bring sa photoshop file in with layers but everytime I import an illustrator file in , it comes in flat as one layer.
Thanks very much to those who can help.
J.

>Is there a way to avoid creating a 720 540 PSD and then crunching
>down to 486? And somehow keep circles circles and photographs not
>stretched.
Not really and then "crunching down" is very much a matter of point of view. The real question is: Can you accept the variations e.g. in antialiasing introduced by creating your work with non-square pixels in Photoshop. Apparently doing so will affect horizontal sampling more than vertical and as there is a difference in how AE and PS deal with these matters, the result would be different. It also extends to the matter of how practical it would be to work with such files if you need to move them to applications that don't provide PAR correction...
>Why does the DV viewing mode in Photoshop effect the importing into
>After Effects if it's just for preview purposes?
It doesn't. The people told you only half the facts. Photoshop's PAR correction is just for viewing purposes, that's true, but it does not mean that PS itself would be unable to deal with non-square pixels. Whenever you create a files based on such presets, PS will correctly embed that information for saving, hence programs like AE that are able to extract that information, will use it to correctly interpret items.
>How do you import an illustrattor file into After Effectcs with
>layers?
You can't. In the strict sense Illustrator has no layers, only objects and groups and since they can be infinitely combined in the funniest ways, it's a hell of a thing to read them right. Maybe in CS5 after all these years... (or even later).
Mylenium

Having issues with Illustrator files in CS5

I recently uninstalled CS4, needing the memory space. Now I am having issues with Illustrator CS5. When I go to open the program, i am receiving this error message: "Adobe Illustrator has detected a problem with the windows registry which needs to be corrected for Illustrator to work properly. Would you like Illustrator to correct the problem now?" so i click "yes" and the program opens, but then when i go to open a file, the AI icon doesnt show up on any of the files, it takes forecer to open, if it even opens the file - sometime i get the message "cannot recognize file type".

Your install never finished properly. Run the Creative Suite Cleaner Tool, reinstall all your Adobe software from scratch with proper admin privileges and security tools turned off to prevent interference.
Mylenium

Trouble saving a pdf from In Design with Illustrator files linked.

I have trouble saving a pdf from In Design. Most of the files i've linked are Illustrator files with size up to 70mb.
I am getting out of memory message The In Design file isn't that big - about 9mb.
HELP!!!!!!

It did not help to close and reopen it.
Not sure what you mean with exporting in chunks but if you mean exporting page for page , so it didn't work either.
I think that i'll try to reduce the size of Illustrator files , but I 'm not sure what will be the optimum size for that In Design won't crush again.
Or maybe i should make the presentation in illustrator instead? It take some time to save pdf from illustrator when the original file is about 90mb, but still it works.

Spray Paint Effect in Illustrator

Recently I accidentally started to make a spray paint effect over one of my layers in illustrator and I was wondering if anyone knew how to do it so I can use it again?

Shift S - switch to symbol sprayer
Choose a symbol (Symbol palette flyout >> open library >> grime vector pack (if you have this one depends on your version)
Spray some symbols
Switch to other symbol tools to variate the angle/size/color/Tint/etc

InDesign issue with Illustrator files

Hello
I used CS3 without any issue until a few months ago.
Using CS6 on Mac now I have some problems importing Illustrator files into InDesign. When I export to pdf or jpg they became transparent or invisible.
Please take a look, this is the exported file (pdf or jpg are the same):
This is as it should be:
For the pdf I use the Gent PDF Workgroup - 2005 Specification Version 3.
Please, have you suggestion to fix this problem?

Hi, thanks all for the repies.
This is the Overprint Preview (sorry, I'm working in italian):
and these are the pdf settings
there are no spot colors, they are all CMYK.
These are the Illustrator setting
How can I check the overprinting?

Using multiply effect on illustrator file with 2 color job?

Hi,
Encountering a tricky problem and not sure if its an InDesign fix or an Illustrator fix.
I am working on a 2 color job—pms color + black on a book cover. The cover needs to seperate into these 2 colors.
Also, I need to make a high res and lowres pdf that look like the cover to send out to marketing, sales etc.
WHAT's THE PROBLEM?...
Well, I am creating a collage with black ink vector graphics on top of the pms background. I created this art in illustrator. it is saved as an .eps file. The illos were done by someone who used a white fill to knock out black areas. There is also a wide 50% grey outline around the illustration.
I like the idea of the line of the illo being black and the fill being red so that it looks seethrough on the red background. But the 50% grey outline causes a problem...I'd like the 50% outline to blend with the red color, so instead of appearing like there is white in the ink it overprints.
The only way I could think of (and quickest way) was to apply the multiply filter in illustrator to the vector illo. This seemed to work great.
I brought the illo into InDesign where I created my cover layout.
Looks great, Prints great. Separations appear to be good, although it shows the yellow, cyan, and majenta layer they appear to be blank, so I think it will seperate nicely into 2 plates–PMS + black.
BUT, when I make a pdf, using "smallest file size" or using "high quality print", the pdf it makes does not show the illustrations in the collage. They are kind of beige and dulled out. The publisher needs pdfs too.
Does this at all indicate that this job will not print correctly using this multiply filter, or is it all well and good final product wise, but its just an issue making the pdf? I am slightly nervous I am going to send this off to the printer and they will have some issue.
I am a professional designer of 10 years with lots of print experience, but I have never used multiply in illustrator so I just want to make sure there is no rule against doing this I should know about. Does multiply at all mess with the color separations or is it fine? And how do I get my pdf to come out right? I'm hoping there's some dumb thing I'm forgetting, or a simple fix.
Thanks for any insight you may have!
L.

I did figure out after posting this that I was using one .ai file and one .eps file—the .ai was showing up fine in the pdf and the eps was showing up screwy.
odd thing though, when I just re-exported using pdf/x–1a settings, now both images appear muddy! but fine when I turn "overprint preview" on. I just don't want my publisher to have to tell everybody to turn overprint preview on...they shouldn't have to do that for editors etc, non design people.
maybe the new "smallest file size" will be fine though since this is a press preset...we'll see.

How to get an oil painting effect using Illustrator

I am looking to do something similiar to this in Illustrator.http://www.oilpaintings-sales.com/oil-paintings/michelangelo-buonarroti-genesis-the-fall-a nd-expulsion-from-paradise-the-original-sin-79148.html
How do you blend the colors in the body for the shadows and the muscles, etc.. I created an outline of the image, and I could start by using a gradient mesh but using a gradient mesh means it gets too complex and we have to create the mesh in the shape of the body which makes the coloring more difficult and probably isn't the right way to do it.If I wanted to create a similar image can someone tell me about how to do the coloring for this. I know how to get the color palettes right and the shadows but, the main problem I'm facing is blending in the different shadows created on the body with the skin tone. I don't mind spending hours using a gradient mesh to color this but I still think I'll face the problem I just mentioned.
If anyone can help me out it is appreciated, please try to elaborate on the details so I get a better understanding.
Thanks.

Well, basically you lay down a base g-mesh (A). You get tones and shades close with general lighting in mind. Then you can lay down an additional layer of color or additional g-meshes for further showign and highlights. (B) when these are combined you get more dramatic tones (C) that are more easily tweaked and adjusted. In addition, using the Appearance Panel you can also add fills to apply textures (D)
Essentially for me, I find laying down a mid-range color base is best. Then I can add dark and light objects on top of that base to alter lighting further. Trying to get lighting perfect in one pass is expectionally difficult in any medium - traditional or digital (except 3d software).
Grab the above CS5 file if you'd like: http://www.MegaShare.com/3678890

Heads-up - Don't Export ICC Profiles With Illustrator Files

Hello everyone,
I have a new Motion project (yea!) and I started out creating a 56-point star in Illustrator CS4 with a specific RGB color value and saved it as Illustrator CS4 with PDF compatibility. I brought it into Motion no problem but the RGB value was changed. I futzed with it for a few minutes and figured out that the default save in Illustrator has "Embed ICC Profiles" checked. I unchecked this and saved it again and it came into Motion with the correct RGB values.
Rock on.
Scot

RGB output profiles only in Lightroom. Use Photoshop.

Help with Illustrator Script! Batch convert files including subfolders - please help! :)

Hello,
I honestly have tried reading the other answers and researching to try to solve this problem. I'm sorry for my ignorance in this area. Please help!!!
I'm trying to make a script (for Illustrator CS2) that will batch convert several files to PNG files. The source folder has several subfolders and I need the script to go into the subfolders and convert those files as well. The destination directory should be an entirely separate folder but with the same hierarchy as the original source folder.
The script I have been using (that converts just as I need) is below. The only problem is it doesn't do the subfolders.
Any help would be so amazingly appreciated!
ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
Copyright 2005 Adobe Systems Incorporated
All Rights Reserved
NOTICE: Adobe permits you to use, modify, and
distribute this file in accordance with the terms
of the Adobe license agreement accompanying it.
If you have received this file from a source
other than Adobe, then your use, modification,
or distribution of it requires the prior
written permission of Adobe.
ExportDocsAsPNG24.jsx
DESCRIPTION
This sample gets files specified by the user from the
selected folder and batch processes them and saves them
as PNGs in the user desired destination with the same
file name.
// Main Code [Execution of script begins here]
// uncomment to suppress Illustrator warning dialogs
// app.userInteractionLevel =
UserInteractionLevel.DONTDISPLAYALERTS;
var destFolder, sourceFolder, files, fileType,
sourceDoc, targetFile, pngExportOpts;
// Select the source folder.
sourceFolder = Folder.selectDialog( 'Select the folder
with Illustrator files you want to convert to PNG', '~'
// If a valid folder is selected
if ( sourceFolder != null )
    files = new Array();
    fileType = prompt( 'Select type of Illustrator files
to you want to process. Eg: *.ai', ' ' );
    // Get all files matching the pattern
    files = sourceFolder.getFiles( fileType );
    if ( files.length > 0 )
        // Get the destination to save the files
        destFolder = Folder.selectDialog( 'Select the
folder where you want to save the converted PNG files.',
'~' );
        for ( i = 0; i < files.length; i++ )
            sourceDoc = app.open(files[i]); // returns
the document object
            // Call function getNewName to get the name
and file to save the pdf
            targetFile = getNewName();
            // Call function getPNGOptions get the
PNGExportOptions for the files
            pngExportOpts = getPNGOptions();
            // Export as PNG
            sourceDoc.exportFile( targetFile,
ExportType.PNG24, pngExportOpts );
            sourceDoc.close
(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        alert( 'Files are saved as PNG in ' + destFolder
    else
        alert( 'No matching files found' );
getNewName: Function to get the new file name. The
primary
name is the same as the source file.
function getNewName()
    var ext, docName, newName, saveInFile, docName;
    docName = sourceDoc.name;
    ext = '.png'; // new extension for png file
    newName = "";
    for ( var i = 0 ; docName[i] != "." ; i++ )
        newName += docName[i];
    newName += ext; // full png name of the file
    // Create a file object to save the png
    saveInFile = new File( destFolder + '/' + newName );
    return saveInFile;
getPNGOptions: Function to set the PNG saving options of
the
files using the PDFSaveOptions object.
function getPNGOptions()
    // Create the PDFSaveOptions object to set the PDF
options
    var pngExportOpts = new ExportOptionsPNG24();
    // Setting PNGExportOptions properties. Please see
the JavaScript Reference
    // for a description of these properties.
    // Add more properties here if you like
    pngExportOpts.antiAliasing = true;
    pngExportOpts.artBoardClipping = true;
    pngExportOpts.horizontalScale = 300.0;
    //pngExportOpts.matte = true;
    //pngExportOpts.matteColor = 0, 0, 0;
    pngExportOpts.saveAsHTML = false;
    pngExportOpts.transparency = true;
    pngExportOpts.verticalScale = 300.0;
    return pngExportOpts;

You can turn off some of the dialogs with: app.displayDialogs = DialogModes.NO;
#target photoshop
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
//Turn display dialogs off
app.displayDialogs = DialogModes.NO;
//=============Find Current Documents path================//
var CurrentPath = activeDocument.path;
//=============Establish current documents destination===============//
var folder1 = Folder(CurrentPath + '/' + 'Flats');
//=============Check if it exist, if not create it.============//
if(!folder1.exists) folder1.create();
//=============Establish current documents file name=========//
//Current filename without the extension
var CurrentFileName = app.activeDocument.name.replace(/\.[^\.]+$/, '');
//=============Modify current file name================//
var modifiedFileName = CurrentFileName +"Flat.psd";
//=============Establish save path====================//
var saveFileCurrentPath = new File(folder1 + '/' + modifiedFileName);
//=============Flatten document ====================//
activeDocument.flatten();
//=============Rotate document if in 'Landscape'====================//
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
if (myDocument.width > myDocument.height) myDocument.rotateCanvas(90);
//============Save File=======================//
psdSaveOptions = new PhotoshopSaveOptions();
activeDocument.saveAs(saveFileCurrentPath, psdSaveOptions, true, Extension.LOWERCASE);
//Close Document
app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);

Performance and usability problems with Illustrator imports

I am usually an enthusiast advocate for Adobe Software. As a UI/Interaction designer I regularly showcase your products as a shining example.
That's why I am somewhat frustrated about the Flash Catalyst Beta. I trust you guys to come out with SOMETHING GREAT eventually, but I have just spend an entire day with Catalyst and it was not particularly a joy. Couldn't you have released it a bit later to save me the frustration?
Situation:
- Medium size Adobe Illustrator CS4 import (10 screens/stages with 20-100 Illustrator objects per screen)
- Target : 800x600 embedded UI for medical product
- Illustrator file chosen as starting point
Performance / reliability problems include
- Crashing (Vista Core2Duo with 2gig of Ram)
- Super poor performance (wait 8 seconds to hide/show a layer)
- No show of thumbnail images anywhere
- No matching of document size (exact 800x600 from Illustrator became 800x599)
- Playing the file did not work
Usability issues
- Poor test display
- Poor match with Illustrator file (things seem to be rendered differently!)
- Window selecting does not work well
- No hand tool
- No ability to lock layers
- Cluttered interface (Not enough space for the "stage"or what you call it)
- No way to resize Illustrator elements from one of 9 edge/center points
- etc. etc.
Building a wireframe version from the ground up (with Illustrator import) seemed to work fine
I played around with the MS Blend beta for a while, and while the basic concept of your product is much more clear, the execution of the MS product in the beta phase was lightyears ahead in terms of stability and usability
I'm sure you can do better!
Koen

Koen,
Thank you for the detailed feedback about the performance problems you have experienced and your thoughts about features you would like. Let me respond to each of your points
Performance: We are aware that Catalyst doesn't perform well with large complex files. We have made many performance improvements since the current plublic beta, so you should find Catalyst more responsive with larger projects when the next beta is posted.
Here are a few things you can do to work around the performance issues you are seeing with the current beta:
- Consider rasterizing complex elements that don't need to scaled in Catalyst
- In Catalst turn complex artwork into optimized graphics using the "Convert to optimized graphics" in the float HUD (heads up display panel)
We have also found that particularly on Windows that Catalyst can run out of memory with large files. This area is also being worked on so stay tuned for the next beta.
Features:
- Poor test display [tv] Do you mean the design display doesn't match the appearance of the published project?
- Poor match with Illustrator file (things seem to be rendered differently!) [tv] we have fixed a lot of bugs here. Expect this to improve a lot in the next beta
- No hand tool - [tv] coming soon :-)
- No ability to lock layers [tv] coming soon :-)
- Cluttered interface (Not enough space for the "stage"or what you call it) [tv] Yes, Catalyst currently cannot dock/undock panels
- No way to resize Illustrator elements from one of 9 edge/center points [tv] This is also a known limitation. I agree it is useful
I hope the next beta comes closer to meeting your expectations. A lot of performance work and new features has been done since the last public posting, so look forward to beta II.
- Ty

I need help with Importing my Illustrator file into After Effects, I'm having problems

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I am having a hard time importing this Illustrator file into After Effects. Here's how it is in the Illustrator file
As you can see, I made all the layers separate so then when I import it I can work on each and every one. (I want them to bloom from the center)
but when I import to After Effects (I ask to import the composition and retain the layers), the size looks completely different:
Then when I drag down the layers folder to the Comp Panel, the layer order starts getting really messed up. Here is what I am talking about
What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it? Also how can I figure out how to let the petals boom? I'm thinking of scaling the center larger first and then scaling the petals from there. but first I have to figure out how to get the size distortion and the layer orders right. Thanks.

You need to open the comp not drag layers in a new comp.

File Server Slowdown with Illustrator(only) saving and opening

Hello,
I have a problem i have been struggling with for years.
When we save a file to the server, the time to open, save or export can be anywhere from 1-5 minutes. Its killing our productivity.
I have changed out every component. We have Eight illustrator CS3 13.0.2 users on C2D/i3/i7 iMacs running 10.6.7. They are connecting to a Mac 10.6.7 Server with AFP - mac mini 2.53 with a lacie 5 drive raid.
We have had this problem going back to at least 10.4.6 i think it was. (I did not write good troubleshooting logs back then)
What appears to be happening:
open a file in the finder or in illustrator
if a font is missing, it immedialy pings you, so its like illustrator looks at the files and then is looking for something else (problem exists if no fonts are present)
the mouse then beach balls and illustrator shows as not responsive
the server shows some activity on the cpu/network/hard drive side but its very minor. like a get info command on lots of files
local user shows very little to no activity
then it stops doing nothing after the few minutes and it opens quickly.
the content of the files does not effect the problem. A 10 meg files with lots of stuff takes maybe 4 minutes vs 3 min 50 seconds for a empty file
my solution so far:
I can clear the problem by running a script that deletes the illustrator prefs, mediabrowser.plist, deletes illustrator cache files, deletes apple quarantie events, bridge prefs. and a restart. Then files open in under 5 seconds. After a couple of hours or some times a day, the open times creep up to a minute, after a few days, they are 2-5 minutes. Sometime clearing these files does not work and i have to then wipe a machine and do clean installs of everything. Some Macs will not have the problem, and function great for a month and then they have the problem for no explainable reason.
All other functions work great, no problems anywhere with anything else, excempt saving illustrator files to the server.
We have tried moving the files locally and then copying them back, but we loose too much work with the errors associated with version control problems. Also a synced folder to the local machines of the server (yes that was intense on the machines) some how had the problem follow it on some macs but not others
I have tried illustrator CS4 and CS5 and it has the same problem
I am currently trying to brute force attack the problem, I figure i can reduce the wait time to maybe 20% with a Mac pro and a bank of SSD's. my cost is almost 8k. I am not happy giving up on fixing the bug, but we have at least 1-2 people waiting around at any given time.
Any thoughts on the problem or a solution?

To create a new Swatches panel to store pattern swatches you have to:
a) Open the Swatches panel and delete all the swatches that you don't want (optional)
b) Choose Save Swatch Library as AI (not ASE) from the Swatches panel menu (I suggest you to save it on the Desktop! So you can easily find that!).
The saved file is actually a simple (blank) Illustrator file.
To use this file with other Illustrator projects choose Window > Swatch Library > Other Libraries and navigate to the saved Illustrator file (Desktop).
At this point another swatches panel is opened on the screen.
Drag the desired swatches from this new panel to the document one. Then close the new panel.
I hope this help

Illustrator files do not render with multiprocessing on

I have a comp that uses an AI CS5 file that has transparency. If I render using a single processor it renders fine...about 25 minutes!!!
If I turn Multiprocessing on the render takes about 3 minutes but the AI layer is a white box!
What gives?
The AI file is a simple text layer, no effects.
I have tried 2 procs, 4 procs, 6 procs, etc...I have tried 1 GB per proc, 1.5GB per proc etc...
Mac Pro octo 2.26, Snow Leopard 10.6.6, 16GB ram

Do you have Continuously Rasterize set for the Illustrator layer? There is a known issue with layers based on Illustrator files if they aren't continuously rasterized. You can work around the issue by either turning off Render Multiple Frames Simultaneously multiprocessing or setting the layer to Continuously Rasterize.

Is it possible to scale Illustrator files inside After Effects and retain the vector quality?

I imported an Illustrator file into my After Effects project and scaled the ai file to 200%, but noticed that is pixelated. Is there a way to keep the ai file vector based inside After Effects.
Note: I attempted to use the "Create Shapes from Vector Layer" and the paths all show up, but the fill and stroke colors disappear??
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am using CS6 Creative Cloud on a Windows 8 with 16 gig of ram
Thanks,
Paul

Dave is right. See this:
FAQ: Why are my vector graphics (e.g., from Illustrator) jagged or soft?

Paint effect with Illustrator file

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