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sheana2014
Inspiring
June 23, 2017
Answered

When I open a .jpg line drawing in Illustrator, can't use color with paint brush

  • June 23, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1091 views

Hi,

I have Illy CC 2017. If I scan in a black and white sketch and make a tracing template, I can use any tool in any color(I always create a new layer do draw upon.

However, if I open a .jpeg line drawing from the internet, I can't do anything but black. All color swatches are missing.

Lastly, sometimes I get the prohibited circle when I try to use brush on a new layer. I don't understand why this is happening....I checked, layer isn't locked.

Kindly help. Thanks in advance.

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

    So you want to erase something in the JPEG?

    That's not possible in Illustrator. You would need Photoshop to do that.

    2 replies

    rcraighead
    rcraighead
    Legend
    June 23, 2017

    However, if I open a .jpeg line drawing from the internet, I can't do anything but black. All color swatches are missing.

    Have you verified the new layer is active, not the template layer?

    Are you "open a .jpeg" or "placing" it in AI? If placing, are you using the option to automatically make it a "Template"?

    I haven't been able to reproduce the issue you describe so I'm asking the obvious questions.

    Lastly, sometimes I get the prohibited circle when I try to use brush on a new layer.

    This usually indicates the layer is not selected in the Layers Panel. Trying to reproduce the issue.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 23, 2017

    The paint brush needs brushes in the brushes panel.

    Since you opened the jpeg directly, you don't have brushes.

    You might just create brushes or

    use another tool (the pencil) or

    create a new AI file, then place the jpeg in it

    S
    sheana2014Author
    Inspiring
    June 23, 2017

    Hi, thanks for the help! Also, I can't seem to erase parts of the original line drawing that I don't like. I can't paint white over the lines, either. This is so frustrating. When I try to erase, it doesn't give me the prohibited circle, but it doesn't do anything at all either.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    June 23, 2017

    So you want to erase something in the JPEG?

    That's not possible in Illustrator. You would need Photoshop to do that.

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