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2

Error message when using Make Pattern tool

New Here ,
Aug 14, 2025 Aug 14, 2025

I've used the "Make Pattern" hundreds of time before, but now when I select an object and click "Make Pattern" I only get an error message that says "Can't define a new pattern from the current art." The current art is litterally just an ellipse, nothing complicated. What am I missing here?

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Bug , Draw and design
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Community Expert ,
Aug 14, 2025 Aug 14, 2025

Can you share the Illustrator file that has this issue?

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 17, 2025 Aug 17, 2025

I'm having the same problem and it's happening with every file of any size, with any art. Any idea on what could be causing this? I'd rather not upload any files here.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

@aliraea87401023  schrieb:

I'm having the same problem and it's happening with every file of any size, with any art. Any idea on what could be causing this? I'd rather not upload any files here.


 

So when you create a new file, draw a rectangle, fill and stroke that with a default red swatch and then go to Object > Pattern > Make. You get an error?

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Yes. And resetting Illustrator preferences didn't solve the issue as another commenter suggested.

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Adobe Employee ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Hi @robs656 & @aliraea87401023,

 

Thanks for sharing the details and the screenshot. I tried reproducing this on my end but wasn't able to replicate the issue. Could you confirm which version of Illustrator and OS you're using, and also let us know if this happens only in an existing file or even when you create a brand-new document? If the issue persists in new files as well, it may be related to corrupted preferences. In that case, please try resetting Illustrator preferences after backing them up.

 

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

Hi Abhishek, thanks for your response. Yes, it's happening with both existing files and brand new files. Unfortunately, resetting Illustrator preferences didn't solve the issue. Any other ideas?

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

If it helps to know, as a temporary workaround I am able to duplicate and edit existing pattern swatches through the Pattern Options window. So pattern swatches are working, but Illustrator refuses to create any new pattern swatches.

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

If it also helps to know, since a couple of weeks ago patterns stopped resizing or moving with tiles, so I've been having to go into Settings and check the Transform Pattern Tiles box, which I had never never had to do before.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 19, 2025 Aug 19, 2025

I cannot replicate your problem with creating new pattern swatches, but there is a UserVoice report about resizing (which I can replicate) : https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/50334417 

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Community Expert ,
Aug 19, 2025 Aug 19, 2025

It work's for me. 

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 20, 2025 Aug 20, 2025

I'm having the same exact issue. Tried it from a vector circle just like you and I get the same error.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 20, 2025 Aug 20, 2025

As already requested: Can you share the Illustrator file that has this issue?

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 21, 2025 Aug 21, 2025

For me, it isn't a specific file; it seems to be happening no matter what file I'm in. I wasn't able to attach the AI file, hopefully a PDF will work.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 21, 2025 Aug 21, 2025

Tried your file.

On first try I got the warning as well. After changing the color it worked. 

And then after closing and reopening the file it worked again.

 

Does that work for you as well?

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 21, 2025 Aug 21, 2025

I tried all those options, but I got the same error each time. I even created a new document and tried a different shape and color to see if that would work, but I still got the same error.

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Community Expert ,
Aug 21, 2025 Aug 21, 2025
LATEST

Did you already reset the preferences?

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