Precise working in Illustrator

When resizing an object to, for example 20 mm, ilustrator automatically changes the size to 19,756 mm. Why is this happening? And is their a way to turn this off?
The same thing happens, when moving an object, it just snaps a bit off.
I checked if I have any snapping options on, but that is not the case.
Thanks already for any help!

Thomas,
You may have (had) Align to Pixel Grid turned on.
It is the default setting for certain document types basically made for web/screen/similar use, and it may be ticked/unticked in the Transform panel.

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How can I convert Pdf from RGB to CMYK, keeping font color 100% K while working in Illustrator?

How can I convert Pdf from RGB to CMYK, keeping font color 100% K while working in Illustrator?
When I try to open the document in Illustrator and I convert to CMYK the black font converts to rich black, but to set up for Offset printintg I need the text to be only in Black (100%K).
The original source of the document is a Microsoft Word file, I have converted the Word file to Pdf in order to setup for OFfset Printing.
Thanks

I have tried that way, but the downside is that the fonts are set in gray not in a 100%K, also I have to deal with other fonts that are composites and meant to stay Full Color. I could select text by text and convert to gray but, its a 64 page document and I wouldn't want to make a expensive mistake.

I cannot save my work in Illustrator CC2014.1 due to an 'unknown error'. Any ideas on a solution?

Hi there,
I have produced some work in illustrator and wanting to save before I proceed but Illustrator will not allow me due to an unknown error. I have tried some ideas posted on the web (turning off the visibility of layers, saving as an EPS) but to no avail. I have tried resetting my preferences and turning off sync settings but again no luck. Is anyone else experiencing this and anyone have any ideas on a solution?
Many thanks,
Matt

Hi Jacob,
Thanks for the idea.
Tried that, (tried all the Save As options) and the same 'unknown error' occurs. I have tried saving as an Illustrator EPS and a different alert comes up as 'Cannot Save. A necessary item is missing: ID: 192'. No idea what the necessary item is? Mithril? Gold?
Raghuveer- yes, it still is an issue- joined the connect session and waiting for your response.
Many thanks,
Matt

Script to work around Illustrator bugs

Newbee here,   We are working in Illustrator CS5. I have put together some scripts & Actions to automate several parts of our work.
     I'll start with what we have now. Plus what we have now works on both Mac & PC & if there is a way to work around these BUGS it will need to work on both the Mac's & PC's.
1) We have an .ai file (our default format) that we can open up & inside some text will automatically fill in when we run a script. (see custom script at bottom) Some text boxes will fill in the date based on the present date on our computer, some text boxes will fill in a name based on the name of the electronic .ai file.
See red boxes.
One difficulty that I worked out is, sometimes in one of the fields in the file, it needs to have a name consisting of only 4 sections (or 3 dashes). In example: ILSLIM = 1, EXAMPLE = 2, TEST = 3, & AA01 = 4.
So when this happens then the last dash in this one text box on our format (Not any of the other text boxes) will need the 3rd dash removed (now it is only 3 sections because TESTAA01 are now one).
So I created an Illustrator "Action" that will after the "ChangeFileNameDate" script is run, the "Action" will select the one text box & then run the "Find and Replace" to delete the 3rd dash as seen above.
NOW THE PROBLEMS! (Illustrator bugs)
1) In the Illustrator "Actions" when you record an "Action" & use the "Insert Menu Item..." to put a Script in, it will work. BUT when you quit out of Illustrator & then relaunch it the custom Script will disappear. I looked into this & this is a known bug for years in Illustrator that is still not fixed.
http://js4ai.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-permanently-tie-script-to-action.html
Works untill you quit out & relaunch.
BEFORE QUIT.
AFTER RELAUNCH.
SO the only work around I can get to work for now is to "Insert Menu Item..." "Other Script..." & this will stay even after relaunch BUT then every time we run the "Action" we have to manually select the script. (CRAP)
Still here after relaunch.
PLUS A BUG with recording the "Find and Replace". In case you do not know, when you save "Actions" in Illustrator you can; save any of the actions that require a dialog box; 1) to either have the dialog box come up so you can enter whatever you need into it or 2) you can have the dialog box NOT come up & the action will just do what it had in it when you recorded it. This feature is turned on or off by clicking the box next to the check mark on or off (see pic).
So the BUG is, for my "Actions" that use the "Find and Replace" to delete the dash to work for some reason I have to have the first "Find and Replace" steps dialog botton ON so that the "Find and Replace" dialog box will open up.
     Let me explain, when you record to use the "Find and Replace" it will work fine even with the dialog box option clicked off; but if you quit Illustrator & then relaunch it & try to run the "Actions" that have the "Find and Replace" in them then Illustrator will crash. So the only work around that I found for this CRAPPY BUG is to simply have the 1st "Find and Replace" in the recorded "Action" with the dialog box set to on (to open up when Action is run) & then we have to manually close it. We don't have to type anything inside of it. We simply have to have it open & then close. Then for some reason the rest of the recorded "Actions" will run with out the dialog boxes opening with the deleteing of the 3rd dash as like when I 1st recorded it.
     So basically, if I want the "Actions" to work at this point I would have to do this; every time I relaunch Illustrator I would need to manually load the custom script into the "Actions" & I would need to open & close the "Find and Replace" box. This is CRAP the whole point of "Actions" & Scripts are so I can do everything MANUALLY, NO. We should be able to have it work for us!
OR maybe this would be the best solution!
     If inside the "ChangeFileNameDate" custom script it could simply open & then close the "Find and Replace" box (that would solve the crashing with "Find and Replace" in "actions") then the custom script could cause the "Action" to play instead of the "Action" causing the custom script to play. Then all we would have to do is drag down to the custom script from "File" & run that. No crashing, No babysitting.
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW OR IF THIS IS POSSIBLE? To add to the attached script:
1) At the beginning to open & close the "Find and Replace" box.
2) At the end to cause a saved "action" to run.
WE WOULD BE SO VERY, INCREDIBLY, EXTREMELY GRATEFUL!
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// english //
// -=> WR-DateAndTime <=-
// A Javascript for Adobe Illustrator
// by Wolfgang Reszel ([email protected])
// Version 0.9 from 22.9.2011
// This script inserts the actual date or the actual time to a
// predefined position in the document.
// To define the position, you'll have to create an textobject and
// execute this script while the object is selected. The whole object
// has to be selected and not words or letters. You can mark more
// objects, if you select each object separate and execute
// the script on it.
// With the placeholders {DATE} and {TIME} you are able to define a
// particular point, where the date or the time should be replaced.
// If there is no placeholder in the textobject
// "{FILENAME}{FILEEXT} ({DATE}, {TIME})" will be used as standard placeholders.
// To update the date and time execute this script without any object
// selected.
// There are some additional placeholders:
//   {FILE}     - complete document-filename with path
//   {FILEPATH} - only the documents filepath
//   {FILENAME} - the filename of the document
//   {FILEEXT} - the file extension of the document inclusive dot
// On my system this script can't see the path of the document, when
// it was opened directly from windows Explorer (double click).
// In Illustrator CS it is now possible to edit a DateAndTime-Object.
// To enable the english messages and date-format change the "de"
// into "en" in line 90.
// Sorry for my bad english. For any corrections send an email to:
// [email protected]
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Deutsch //
// -=> WR-DateAndTime <=-
// Ein Javascript fuer Adobe Illustrator
// von Wolfgang Reszel ([email protected])
// Version 0.9 vom 30.9.2011
// Dieses Skript fuegt das aktuelle Datum und die aktuelle Uhrzeit an
// eine vorher bestimmte Stelle im Dokument ein.
// Um eine Stelle zu bestimmen, muss man ein Textobjekt erzeugen, es
// markieren und dann dieses Skript aufrufen. Es muss das gesamte Objekt
// ausgewaehlt sein, nicht etwa Buchstaben oder Woerter. Es lassen sich
// nacheinander auch mehrere Objekte als Datum/Uhrzeit markieren.
// Mit den Platzhaltern {DATE} und {TIME} (in geschweiften Klammern)
// kann man bestimmen, wo genau im Text das Datum und die Uhrzeit
// erscheinen soll. Sind die Platzhalter nicht vorhanden, wird
// automatisch "{FILENAME}{FILEEXT} ({DATE} - {TIME})" verwendet.
// Zum Aktualisieren des Datums/Uhrzeit muss man dieses Skript aufrufen
// wenn kein Objekt ausgewaehlt ist.
// Es gibt noch einige zusaetzliche Platzhalter:
//   {FILE}     - kompletter Dateiname mit Pfad
//   {FILEPATH} - nur der Verzeichnispfad des Dokuments
//   {FILENAME} - der Dateiname des Dokuments
//   {FILEEXT} - die Dateiendung des Dokuments inklusive Punkt
// Auf meinem System kann der Pfad nicht ermittelt werden, wenn das
// Dokument vom Windows Explorer geoeffnet wird (Doppel-Klick).
// InÃ¿Illustrator CSÃ¿kann man nun ein Datum/Uhrzeit-Objekt bearbeiten.
// Um dieses Skript mit deutschen Meldungen und Datumsformat zu
// versehen, muss in Zeile 90 das "en" durch ein "de" ersetzt werden.
// Verbesserungsvorschlaege an: [email protected]
//$.bp();
var language="en";   // "de" fuer Deutsch
var WR="WR-DateAndTime v0.9\n\n";
var AIversion=version.slice(0,2);
if (language == "de") {
var format_preset = "{FILENAME}{FILEEXT} ({DATE} - {TIME})";
var MSG_unsetmark = WR+"Dieses Objekt ist als aktuelles Datum/Uhrzeit markiert, soll die Markierung aufgehoben werden?";
var MSG_setmark = WR+"Soll dieses Textobjekt als aktuelles Datum/Uhrzeit markiert werden?";
var MSG_askformat = WR+"Soll das Textobjekt als Datum/Uhrzeit formatiert werden? Formate:\n{DATE}, {TIME}, {FILE}, {FILEPATH}, {FILENAME} und {FILEEXT}:"
var MSG_editformat = WR+"Datums-/Uhrzeitformat bearbeiten (Leer = entfernen). Formate:\n{DATE}, {TIME}, {FILE}, {FILEPATH}, {FILENAME} und {FILEEXT}:"
var MSG_notexto = WR+"Kein Textobjekt!";
var MSG_selectedmany = "Zum Markieren als aktuelles Datum/Uhrzeit darf nur ein Textobjekt ausgew\xE4hlt sein und falls Sie die Daten aktualisieren wollen, darf kein Objekt ausgew\xE4hlt sein.";
var MSG_nodocs = WR+"Kein Dokument ge\xF6ffnet."
var Timeformat = 24;
var TimeSep = ":";
var AM = " am";
var PM = " pm";
var Dateformat = "dd.mm.yyyy";
} else {
var format_preset = "{FILENAME} ({DATE}, {TIME})";
var MSG_unsetmark = WR+"This object is marked as actual date'n'time, do you want to remove the mark?";
var MSG_setmark = WR+"Do you want to mark the selected textobject as actual date'n'time?";
var MSG_askformat = WR+"Do you want to mark the textobject as actual date'n'time? Formats:\n{DATE}, {TIME}, {FILE}, {FILEPATH}, {FILENAME} and {FILEEXT}:"
var MSG_editformat = WR+"Edit date'n'time (empty = remove). Formats:\n{DATE}, {TIME}, {FILE}, {FILEPATH}, {FILENAME} and {FILEEXT}:"
var MSG_notexto = WR+"No textobject!";
var MSG_selectedmany = "To mark as actual date'n'time, you have to select only one textobject. If you want to update the date'n'time-objects, there must be no object selected.";
var MSG_nodocs = WR+"You have no open document."
var Timeformat = 12;
var TimeSep = ":";
var AM = " am";
var PM = " pm";
var Dateformat = "yyyymmdd";
var error=0;
if (documents.length<1) {
error++;
alert(MSG_nodocs)
if (error < 1) {
date_n_time();
function TodayDate()
var Today = new Date();
var Day = Today.getDate();
var Month = Today.getMonth() + 1;
var Year = Today.getYear();
var PreMon = ((Month < 10) ? "0" : "");
var PreDay = ((Day < 10) ? "0" : "");
if(Year < 999) Year += 1900;
var theDate = Dateformat.replace(/dd/,PreDay+Day);
theDate = theDate.replace(/mm/,PreMon+Month);
theDate = theDate.replace(/d/,Day);
theDate = theDate.replace(/m/,Month);
theDate = theDate.replace(/yyyy/,Year);
theDate = theDate.replace(/yy/,Year.toString().substr(2,2));
return theDate;
function TodayTime()
var Today = new Date();
var Hours = Today.getHours();
var Minutes = Today.getMinutes();
var Suffix = "";
if (Timeformat == 12) {
    if (Hours >= 12 ) {
Suffix = PM;
} else {
Suffix = AM;
if (Hours >= 13) {
Hours = Hours - 12;
if (Hours < 1) {
Hours = Hours + 12;
var PreHour = ((Hours < 10) ? "0" : "");
var PreMin = ((Minutes < 10) ? "0" : "");
return PreHour+Hours+TimeSep+PreMin+Minutes+Suffix;
function DateUpdate(Name) {
var docpath = activeDocument.path.fsName;
var docname = activeDocument.name.replace(/(.*?)(?:\.([^.]+))?$/,'$1');
var extension = activeDocument.name.replace(/(.*?)(?:(\.[^.]+))?$/,'$2');
if (docpath.slice(2,3) == "\\") {
    docsep = "\\";
} else {
    docsep = ":";
var content = Name.slice(11);
var content = content.replace(/\{FILE\}/,docpath+docsep+docname);
var content = content.replace(/\{FILEPATH\}/,docpath);
var content = content.replace(/\{FILENAME\}/,docname);
var content = content.replace(/\{FILEEXT\}/,extension);
var content = content.replace(/\{DATE\}/,TodayDate());
var content = content.replace(/\{TIME\}/,TodayTime());
return content;
function date_n_time()
if (selection.length == 1) {
    if (selection[0].typename == "TextArtItem" || selection[0].typename == "TextFrame") {
      if (selection[0].name.slice(0,11) == "actualDate:") {
        dateformat = selection[0].name.slice(11);
        Check = false;
        if (AIversion == "10") {
          Check = confirm( MSG_unsetmark );
        } else {
          dateformat = prompt(MSG_editformat, dateformat);
        if(dateformat != "" && Check) {
          selection[0].contents = selection[0].name.slice(11);
          selection[0].name="";
          selection[0].selected = false;
        if(dateformat == "" && !Check) {
          selection[0].name="";
          selection[0].selected = false;
        if(dateformat && dateformat !="" && !Check) {
          selection[0].name="actualDate:"+dateformat;
          selection[0].contents = DateUpdate(selection[0].name);
      } else {
        dateformat = selection[0].contents;
        if(dateformat.search(/\{DATE\}/) == -1 && dateformat.search(/\{TIME\}/) == -1 && dateformat.search(/\{FILE[A-Z]*\}/) == -1) dateformat = format_preset;
        Check = false;
        if (AIversion == "10") {
          Check = confirm( MSG_setmark );
        } else {
          dateformat = prompt(MSG_askformat, dateformat);
        if (dateformat || Check) {
          selection[0].name="actualDate:"+dateformat;
          selection[0].contents = DateUpdate(selection[0].name);
          selection[0].selected = false;
    } else {
      alert ( MSG_notexto );
} else if (selection.length > 1) {
    alert ( MSG_selectedmany );
} else {
    if (AIversion == "10") {
      var textArtItems = activeDocument.textArtItems;
      for (var i = 0 ; i < textArtItems.length; i++)
        if (textArtItems[i].name.slice(0,11) == "actualDate:") {
          textArtItems[i].selected = true;
          textArtItems[i].contents = DateUpdate(textArtItems[i].name);
    } else {
      var textFrames = activeDocument.textFrames;
      for (var i = 0 ; i < textFrames.length; i++)
        if (textFrames[i].name.slice(0,11) == "actualDate:") {
          textFrames[i].selected = true;
          textFrames[i].contents = DateUpdate(textFrames[i].name);

Carlos or anyone, I've been working on several ideas & think that I have come up with the best approach to work around these bugs. But need it to work in java script.
1) In AppleSript I can build a script that will trigger an "Action" to run. The "Action" will select an object by its "Attributes" "Note". The selected text box in picture is called "UPPER FORDDOC NAME" so it will select this object only.
activate application "Adobe Illustrator"
on doAction(scriptName, actionSet)
          tell application "Adobe Illustrator"
do script scriptName from actionSet
          end tell
end doAction
tell application "Adobe Illustrator"
          tell me to doAction("Save Part # Delete -", "TIC Color 03-13-12")
end tell
Can this be done in Java?
If so then:
2) I built an AppleScript that can open the "Find and Replace" then simply close it; by using "System Events" to select the keystrokes.
Is this possible to do in Java with out buying an extra program? This AppleScript works great but need it to work also on the PC's.
activate application "Adobe Illustrator"
tell application "System Events"
tell process "Adobe Illustrator"
--This is the quick key to open the "Find and Replace" window
keystroke "K" using {command down, shift down, option down}
delay 1
--This is the esc key
key code 53
end tell
end tell
I HOPE SO ssssssssoooooooo MUCH!

CS5 plugin to work on Illustrator CS6 64-bit?

Hello,
I have a plugin that should work on both Illustrator CS5 and CS6. CS6 also supports 64-bit illustrator.
Can i create a 64-bit configuration for the CS5 SDK and make the plug-in work on Illustrator CS6 64-bit?
Thanks

I don't know if its possible to build a single binary that works in both anymore. Its definitely possible to have a code base that generates two without a whole lot of problems though -- we do it
The main problem is that in CS6, none of the legacy suites are present (unlike CS5 and earlier). Also, a lot of types have changed (and its going to get worse next version since they've indicated they're going to change AIReal from float to double). So if it is possible to make a single binary, its a very short window where its useful because I can guarantee it won't work for CS7 (CS6.5?).

Can't get "Edit Colors" to work in Illustrator CC

Hi. My boss just added Illustrator CC to my mac.
I'm not sure why, but I can't get "Edit Colors" to work in Illustrator CC.
When I select an object and try to reassign colors in the "Edit Colors" menu, the submenus are greyed out.
It works fine on Illustrator CS5, so I'm not sure what the problem is in CC.
Is this a bug or just a limitation of the CC trial period?
Can anyone please help with this?

OK, so Trial Period isn't the problem? Thanks for that info.
I'm working with customer supplied files and often have to reassign colors to artwork for different projects.
I can assign colors with the color panel, but complex designs containing multiple pieces and layers can take for-ev-er to reassign colors that way.
Like I said, "edit colors" works fine in CS5, so I'm trying to figure out why it's not working in CC.
Appreciate any help the forum members can provide.

Why the step-and-repeat function (command+d) isn't working in Illustrator CS5?

Why the step-and-repeat function (command+d) isn't working in Illustrator CS5?
I am trying this. Take an object, move it some inches on the right while holding the option key, so I duplicate it.
Usually, I pressed on command+d to duplicate this action on and on (duplicate the object and moving it some inches away), but now it is not working.
any idea?

kwakoo,
It may be time for the list:
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file, and when it is not caused by issues with opening a file from external media. You may have tried/done some of them already; 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
If possible/applicable, you should save current artwork first, of course.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to at least 5 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible), for CS3 - CC you may find the folder here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall (ticking the box to delete the preferences), run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

Selection tools not working properly -- Illustrator CS6

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Have you tried:
View > Show edges

Pinch to zoom not working in Illustrator CS6

After replacing a lot of the hardware in my MacBook Pro and re-installing CS6, I've found that pinch-to-zoom no longer works in Illustrator.
It's functioning fine in InDesign and PhotoShop though.
Am I missing some preference option to enable multi-touch gestures?

yes, what in the world is going on with this latest OS, even claimed to be world's most advanced!?
I was shocked enough when I realized no 4finger swipe to switch apps, and 3finger swipe to go back and forth between pages not working when you have 3finger drag enabled
now what's utterly frustrating is NO MORE PINCH TO ZOOM IN FINDER
this is like one of the most important functions in the OS, and it's gone!?
this must come back
please fix these in the next update

Selection tool doesnt work in illustrator cc 2014

selection tool doesnt work in illustrator cc 2014.

Hi officeisbig,
While we are working on a solution, if you can upgrade os to 10.9, the issue should get fixed.
Sanjay.

I'm working with Illustrator CS5 and am having trouble with basic graphics textures.

I'm working with Illustrator CS5 and am having trouble with basic graphics textures. The illustrator drawings look fine with the pattern fills and when I bring the drawing into quark 9.1 they are still fine. When I print the quark file to lo res pdf drawing is still fine, but when I print to hi res pdf (press quality for print) the patterns disappear. I cannot figure out what the problem is.
just a note. Other textures and artistic fills work fine. It seems to be just the basic ones. I'm wondering if for some reason they may not be saved completely in my libraries?

Its just a drawing in black and white with some basic graphic texture to show “dirt” The pattern consists of a bunch of small lines. I save the file as an eps. And bring it into quark. When I print from quark I say print to pdf as press quality. I don’t think the problem has to do with acrobat because I’ve never encountered these problems before CS5. These drawings have been around for years and all of a sudden they don’t work.
Does this help?
Cath
Graphic Specialist
[email protected] 905-403-8658 x297
P Is it necessary to print this e-mail?

I have just downloaded free trial versions of photoshop, lightroom and illustrator. Photoshop and lightroom working perfectly, illustrator saying the licence has expired and I my now purchase it. Help.

I have just downloaded free trial versions of photoshop, lightroom and illustrator. Photoshop and lightroom working perfectly, illustrator saying the licence has expired and I my now purchase it. Help.

http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/trial-software-expired-early.html

File and keyboard commands not working in Illustrator CC.

I'm having massive problems with Illustrator CC. The open and paste commands work once or twice and then nothing. Unless I quick the program, they will not work. I have tried everything. I took the drastic step today and erased the hard disk and loaded EVERYTHING again. And I mean everything. I even tested Illustrator without activating the fonts to see if it was a font conflict. Nothing. I'm done. I have tried everything. Has anyone else had this problem? I need help…

Hi Nicholas Petropoulos,
I am sorry but even i am running out of options now.
Try these.
Make sure you do not have any browser open when you use Illustrator.
If you are using a magic mouse or Wireless Keyboard.
Try disconnecting them and check the performance.
Also when the issue happens, do you have to force close the application to make it work again?
The mouse and other options do not work on Illustrator. Are you able to use the mouse any where else on the machine when the issue happens ?
Regards,
Nikhil Gupta.

Zoom-in keyboard shortcut not working in illustrator CC

I am able to use the keyboard shortcut control+minus to zoom out, but control+plus/= to zoom in has stopped working in illustrator CC. (It works fine in illustrator CS6.) Any idea how to fix this?

Never mind. I was using a custom key shortcut file, which apparently caused the problem. Using the Adobe default it works.

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yes i do, a bamboo. and pressure works in photoshop

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