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Art Juul
Art Juul
Participant
September 23, 2019
Question

Cutting a shape with applied effect so that the effect doesn't change to the new shape

  • September 23, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1817 views

Hi everyone!! I need your help!!

 

I do not manage to cut a shape that i have applied an effect on & keep the effect to it's "before-cut" apperance. Does anybody know? I would love to cut the shape with the shape-builder tool if possible. ....i tried expand, rasterize .....the effect always changes to it's new shape.

 

To make it more understandeable, i am attaching a photo to explain better: so this giraffe of which i make several of, has the colored spots on a below layer. Actually, i have 3 layers below: 1) for the color, 2) the artisitic stroke & 3 for the white, gradient to create some depth. Now, i can cut with the shape-builder tool the layer for the color (1) and the artistic stroke (2) .....but I do not manage to cut the white-gradient layer with maintaining the gradient I want for the colored spots. Is there any way to do that?

 

Help is so much appreciated, also if i get the answer, that it can not be done - so i know.

 

Thanks a bunch in advance,

Art

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    C
    chrisl41501719
    Participating Frequently
    September 23, 2019

    Warning: Destructive Technique

    1. Choose the layer with the effect. Duplicate and hide a copy in case this messes things up.

    2. Select the layer with the effect and go to Object - Flatten Transparency. (You may have to mess with the settings a bit)

     

    This will make your shadow layer an object that you can manipulate like any other design element independent of the object that it was formerly attached to.

     

      Art Juul
      Art JuulAuthor
      Participant
      September 23, 2019

      Thank you Chris, thank you very much for your input & help. I did flatten transparency & tried again to cut with Shape-Builder "-" . I get the same result, that the gradient changes it's appearance to the new shape. Did I do something wrong after applying Transparency?

      C
      chrisl41501719
      Participating Frequently
      September 23, 2019
      Strange. Once you flatten transparency the shadow should no longer be "active". Sorry man. If I have time I'll see what I can come up with.
      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 23, 2019

      I would use a clipping mask.

        Art Juul
        Art JuulAuthor
        Participant
        September 23, 2019

        Thank you Monika, tried the clipping mask, got the answer that the shape is too complex to use as a clipping mask - tried anyway and the spots disappeared. 

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 23, 2019
        Then make that shape simpler. You don't need all the fuzzy details inside the ears for your clipping mask. Just one path that surrounds your artwork.
        K
        Kaem
        Inspiring
        September 23, 2019

        Hi,

         

        If i understand well, you want to keep the aspect of the effect of the previous shape with the new one ?

        The gradient can be done with the new option of gradient (Free Shape gradient) or with the Gradient Mesh.

        The other way is to use a mask to keep the aspect of the previous shape.

          Art Juul
          Art JuulAuthor
          Participant
          September 23, 2019

          Hi Kevin, thanks a bunch (didn't know abut the Free Shape Gradient): cool tool - unfortunately it doesn't solve my issue. Tried with clipping mask but I got the message that my shape is too complex, so the effect (gradient layer) vanishes completely. Any other suggestions?

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