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paula92583360
Participating Frequently
October 30, 2017
Question

Can't fill image with paint bucket

  • October 30, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 15884 views

New to illustrator and realise that it's not the same as photoshop, but I have an image downloaded from stock photography (for a logo) but I wish to change the colour of two letters from brown to blue. I can't. Looked and looked for solutions and can't seem to find answers. When I click on the letters with the bucket it says "The selection contains objects that cannot be converted. Live paint groups can only contain paths and compound paths, Clipping paths are not allowed." How do I even begin (sorry - complete novice so would appreciate step by step - please go easy ) Thanks.

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      2 replies

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      paula92583360Author
      Participating Frequently
      October 30, 2017

      Thanks. I use the white arrow but it selects the whole image? Doesn't select just the letters.

      Kris Hunt
      Kris Hunt
      Legend
      October 30, 2017

      That blue X (and the words "Linked File" in the upper left corner of the screen) indicates that this image is has been placed on the page as opposed to opened. The image might not be vector, then. When you zoom way in, do you see pixels? Or do you already know the file type of the image? You won't be able to manipulate a JPEG at all in Illustrator. If it is a vector image that has been placed on the page, then you should be able to click the "Embed" button in the Control Bar and begin working with it.

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      paula92583360Author
      Participating Frequently
      October 30, 2017

      Yes, that's it, I had just dragged and dropped and not 'opened'. It's an EPS. I've opened it and been able to change the colour but it is on a separate tab now. Again, unlike Photoshop can't seem to duplicate layer to previous tab to use? How do you copy a layer over to another tab.

      Thank you so much for helping. So helpful! Sorry for being so thick.

      Kris Hunt
      Kris Hunt
      Legend
      October 30, 2017

      No need to use the Live Paint Bucket tool. Just select the two letters with the Direct Selection tool (white arrow) or Group Selection tool and change the fill color using the color palette.

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      paula92583360Author
      Participating Frequently
      October 30, 2017

      Thanks. I use the white arrow but it selects the whole image? Doesn't select just the letters.

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