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EVoK Web + Marketing
Participating Frequently
March 27, 2023
Answered

PNG Image Does Not Show in Illustrator (w/ Video)

  • March 27, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 1555 views

Hi everyone,

 

I'm trying to vectorize a PNG with Image Trace. Every time I "place" the image, I only see the frame and not the actual image. Strangely, the layer thumbnail image shows the image (white silhouette with transparent background). Saving as placed image as PSD produces the same issue. Is there a setting that's blocking me from seeing the image?

 

Video Example of Issue

 

Thanks!

David

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

Illustrator does not differentiate between transparent and white. WHat you can do is embed the placed image in the file and then Edit > Edit colors > Invert. Then trace

4 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
Community Expert
March 27, 2023

Overprint preview would cause this.

Uncheck that setting

 

 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 27, 2023

Illustrator does not differentiate between transparent and white. WHat you can do is embed the placed image in the file and then Edit > Edit colors > Invert. Then trace

    E
    EVoK Web + MarketingAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 28, 2023

    That did the trick, Monika. Thank you!

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 28, 2023

    Glad you could solve it!

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 27, 2023

    How are you getting your background  blue,  simulate colored paper? I do not see a shape in your layers panel. Use Shift Command D to toggle show transparency as checkerboard grid. 

     

    Resave your file with a color rather than white, then after tracing change the vector shapes to white fill. This will eliminate items such as multiply on a layer or overprint white settings.

      E
      EVoK Web + MarketingAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 28, 2023

      Thanks, Mike. I resolved the issue with Monika's suggestion of inverting the colours. I was too busy to try your suggested, but I suspect it would work just as well!

      Mike_Gondek10189183
      Community Expert
      Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
      Community Expert
      March 28, 2023

      Glad you got this solved. I think what was meant to be said is Imagetrace does not differentiate between transparent and white, so the suggestion to invert the color is a great workaround.  Illustrator does recognize transparency in file formats that have a transparency channel like png,  psd, gif, but when you have a white logo is tricky and that is what you encountered I believe.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 27, 2023

      Is it an indexed color image?

      E
      EVoK Web + MarketingAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 27, 2023

      No, RGB.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 27, 2023

      As Mike noticed, you do not have a blue object in your file. I tried to simulate that with simulate paper color, but could not replicate your problem.

      Can you share the PNG file?

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