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nathand7675830
nathand7675830
Inspiring
Mar 19, 2015 11:32 PM UTC
Answered

How to make a pattern into a compound path in AI

I am brand new to AI so please bear with me if this is a very simple question, but I just cannot figure it out. I have about 200 .eps black and white seamless patterns. I have added a few of them to the swatches area so I can fill shapes with my patterns. I can do that no problem. But what I want to do is make the finished patterned-filled shape into a compound path so I can save as an svg and import into my vinyl cutting software. Can anyone explain how I would do this?

[Moved from the generic Cloud forum to the Illustrator forum... Mod]

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    rcraighead
    rcraigheadCorrect answer
    Legend
    Mar 20, 2015 2:27 AM UTC

    If simply saving it as SVG does not work, do this:

    1. Object>Expand
    2. Deselect all
    3. Select>Object>Clipping Mask
    4. Delete
    5. Select all
    6. Object>Flatten Transparency>Accept default settings (this will eliminate unwanted groups)
    7. Object>Compound Path>Make
    View reply

    24 replies

    Atul Kashyap
    Participant
    Jan 3, 2024 2:31 AM UTC

    Hi select the pattern, go to object in the menu bar<path<outline stroke

    then go to object<expand

    then object<ungroup

     

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      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Jan 3, 2024 10:18 AM UTC
      @Atul Kashyap  schrieb:

      Hi select the pattern, go to object in the menu bar<path<outline stroke

      then go to object<expand

      then object<ungroup

       

       

      This does not work. Have you even tried it with a pattern?

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      dj68957
      Participant
      Dec 9, 2022 2:01 PM UTC
      • Select the objects filled with the pattern.
      • Object > Expand.  Check the Fill box, hit OK.
      • Double click the object to get into isolation mode (You'll be in iso mode for the next few steps).
      • Select > Object > Clipping Mask.  Manually deselect the outline of the object you're in using the regular selection (black) arrow.  Delete all the clipping masks that remain (should just be a ton of squares or something like that).
      • Select all, then, once again, deselect the outline of the object you're in using the black arrow.
      • Using the pathfinder, use the add filter to combine all the pattern's shapes into one shape.
      • Then, with the result still selected, make it a compound path (Ctrl/Cmd 8 or Object > Compound Path > Make).
      • Select all, then using the pathfinder again, use the crop filter.
      • Done.  (you can double click out of iso mode, select it and make it a compound path as well...)
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      dj68957
      Participant
      Dec 9, 2022 2:02 PM UTC

      Just a note... Adobe would be well served to make this a one-button command.  It's super useful...

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        Jared272496655ttc
        Participant
        Nov 21, 2022 11:50 PM UTC

        Apply any FX + delete the FX = Done..... Illustrator transforms the pattern into an object to apply the FX....

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        kpo
        Participant
        Mar 30, 2019 3:50 PM UTC

        I have a lattice pattern I have created in Illustrator. My vinyl artists needs to be able to change the color of the lattice in her software. When she tries to change the color it creates a solid filled rectangle rather than just changing he color of the lattice. I am working in illustrator CC2019 and I get the same result she does when I try to change the fill color from the fill color panel in the tool bar.

        I tried following these steps but when I select my lattice and go to OBJECT - EXPAND is greyed out. However, I do have EXPAND APPEARANCE. Once I select EXPAND APPEARANCE, EXPAND then becomes available however following the rest of the steps doesn't yield what I need.  I need help figuring out how to get this in a format so she an take the EPS file and be able to change the fill on the lattice color.

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          spacemaker-NrAbbP
          spacemaker-NrAbbP
          Participant
          Jul 29, 2020 12:48 PM UTC

          I have these same 2 problems.

           

          - I want to create a pattern that includes my own design pattern fills within it, but when I follow the steps above and get to delete clipping mask- the pattern is no longer constrained in my shape and it gets very  messy. I then have to pu the pattern behind and trim each one, which takes too much time.

          - I also want to be able to change a pattern colour easily, but I find I have to go to the original drawing-> recolour artwork-> pattern-> make     for something that seems it should be so simple!

           

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          Monika Gause
          Community Expert
          Monika GauseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          Jul 29, 2020 12:54 PM UTC

          Which problem exactly do you have? This thread is about SVG files.

          And also: please show.

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          rcraighead
          rcraigheadCorrect answer
          Legend
          Mar 20, 2015 2:27 AM UTC

          If simply saving it as SVG does not work, do this:

          1. Object>Expand
          2. Deselect all
          3. Select>Object>Clipping Mask
          4. Delete
          5. Select all
          6. Object>Flatten Transparency>Accept default settings (this will eliminate unwanted groups)
          7. Object>Compound Path>Make
          Translate
            nathand7675830
            nathand7675830Author
            Inspiring
            Mar 21, 2015 7:11 PM UTC

            Saving as an svg does not work. I just get the image without any cut lines (anchor points) in my outside software.

            When I select Object>Clipping Mask, my only option is Make.

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            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            Mar 21, 2015 8:27 PM UTC

            Are the EPS patterns vector paths? An EPS may contain raster images.

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