Are Symbols stored in a document as rasters?

[ThinkingThings]

I am scripting with Illustrator and originally wanted to utilize symbols in a document. My scripting worked just fine, but when output to a plotter driver the symbols would not print. They are recognized just fine when output to another printer, although I know that the two are different. I am told that plotter driver only recognizes vectors (understandable, of course) and that the symbols are raster which is why they are not recognized. I have a workaround that converts the symbols into images, but as this is a little out of my area of expertise, I would like to throw this out there if anyone knows for sure and can shed some further light on the subject.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

TT

[Muppet Mark]

I don't think that Illustrator symbols are rasters… They are what ever raster/vector/type mix that you use to create them… I have heard of problems with nesting of symbols ( symbols inside other symbols ) but never had any of these… Symblos are in fact just instances of the same object… Don't quote me on this… but I think a specific Postscript Level is required to output these… It may only be L2… As you don't have a problem with one printer I would suggest you investigate if your plotter is firstly Postscript secondly what level… If its NOT postscript there could be the need to make a copy of the documet and to break the instances… Best to check in the main Illustrator forum anyhow this forum is for scripting ! postscripting…

[ThinkingThings]

Hi Mark,

Good point about posting this on the main forum - never thought of that since my issue started in scripting. I've checked for current solutions on the subject in all the forums but came up empty. I don't see moderators who could move this post, so I will consider reposting to the main forum. As I said in my OP, I have a work around which includes breaking the instances, but my original intent was to use the symbols for easy update later. Thanks for your help.

Thanks again, Mark.

TT

NOTE: THIS WILL BE REPOSTED IN THE MAIN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR FORUM.

[CarlosCanto]

as a workaround, duplicate the offending symbols, and break the link on the duplicates, they will sit on top of the original symbols and it will plot....if this is ok and the layout permits, you could also create a layer to hold the duplicates, then it can easily be turned on/off or get deleted.

[ThinkingThings]

Hi Carlos,

Already in place as I had mentioned in my OP, but thanks for the reply. The question was more to the storage composition of the symbol itself in the document. This thread has been moved to the main Adove Illustrator forum. I don't see any way to have a moderator "officially" move the thread and close this one, and I am supposed to do that I am not sure how to do that.

Thanks again,

TT

NOTE: THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE MAIN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR FORUM.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/4096846#4096846

[CarlosCanto]

moderator? moderators here are like ghosts, many people believe they exists but no one has actually seen one around here.

[Muppet Mark]

Adobe employee contributions across the Photoshop forums are excellent… here they are non-existent… It was the Illustrator Scripting Forum Xmas party this week and me n Carlos had a lovely time… I told him booking a table for 4 was overkill…

[ThinkingThings]

Dang... I'm sorry that I missed it!!!

[CarlosCanto]

hahahah, good one Mark

[Larry G. Schneider]

And you guys didn't invite me? I'm crushed.

[CarlosCanto]

what? of course you got invited, we wondered why you didn't show up, I guess the Illustrator Post Office lost your invitation .... it'll get fixed in future versions...

[Muppet Mark]

Sorry Larry… I left Carlos in charge of everything… Never again… fool booked an "Adobe" after diner speaker… A good laugh thou… I thought the avatar thing was just a joke but thats actually him… Next year then and bring some of them there things you baked…

[Larry G. Schneider]

I'll be thinking of you both as I'm sitting by the pool in Bali for the next three weeks. Have a good New Year.