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A_G_Fish
Participant
November 17, 2009
Answered

Artwork on a Transparent Art Board

  • November 17, 2009
  • 3 replies
  • 43664 views

I’m trying to do something very simple yet can’t seem to figure it out.

I’d like to work with my vector graphic line drawing on a completely transparent background. My goal is to add color in blocks behind the line drawing.

I know how to import my artwork, placing it on the art board, and then make a Live Trace. And I understand how converting it into Live Paint will create outlines. But it looks like if I want to remove the default color of the art board (White), I need to also remove the color of the line. And I don’t want to have to re-color all of my line.

I remember in the old days of Streamline how this was possible. (My last version of Illustrator was the original CS, so I’m way behind.) It looks like the only option for coloring artwork in CS4 is to do it exactly inside the lines, super-clean. And I’d like the freedom to paint behind the line.

Does anyone have a work-flow that they could share with me to achieve a line drawing on a transparent background with a second layer underneath for color?

Thank you.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer PrepressPro1

    You can go View>Show Transparency Grid in Illustrator. This will give you some reference to what is White and what shows through to Transparency. Hope this helps. I never use this view option because I have become accustom to knowing the artboard white is actually transparent. Or if there is a doubt in my mind I just make a big square of color and send it the the back of the bottom layer to see if my artwork has the correct show through/compound paths.

    3 replies

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    danunwah
    Participant
    July 2, 2020

    I will put the pictures here.

     

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 2, 2020

    "I will put the pictures here."

     

    This thread has started in 2009.

    If you have an issue, please create a new thread for it.

    PrepressPro1
    PrepressPro1Correct answer
    Legend
    November 17, 2009

    You can go View>Show Transparency Grid in Illustrator. This will give you some reference to what is White and what shows through to Transparency. Hope this helps. I never use this view option because I have become accustom to knowing the artboard white is actually transparent. Or if there is a doubt in my mind I just make a big square of color and send it the the back of the bottom layer to see if my artwork has the correct show through/compound paths.

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    A_G_FishAuthor
    Participant
    November 17, 2009

    Brilliant as well!

    "Showing the grid" lets me see what is transparent and what isn't.

    I wish I could have given you a "Correct Answer" as well but the forum only allows for one.

    Thank you for your help!!

    PrepressPro1
    PrepressPro1
    Legend
    July 2, 2020

    Thank you for the thoughtful comment.

    _scott__
    _scott__
    Legend
    November 17, 2009

    I don't fully understand your dilemma. All Illustrator files have a transparent background by default.

    It sounds like your issue may be with Live Trace. Try choosing "Tracing Options" from the small downward arrow in the control Panel next to the Live Trace button. When the options come up, tick the "Ignore White" box and try the tracing options you like. That should eliminate areas with white fills.

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      A_G_FishAuthor
      Participant
      November 17, 2009

      Brilliant!

      This helps me a lot. The white doesn't appear and I don't have to deal with deleting the color showing. I've set this as my default.

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