Gaussian blur into old versions

[Goldie2025]

It seems Adobe have changed the way Gaussian blurs are applied in later versions of Illustrators (feel free to correct me), not a problem until you have clients that only use older versions. We can get around this by using the blurred graphics as opacity masks rather than live  elements on the top level, but does anybody else have a better workaroudn for this as it's all becoming a bit of a faff.

We've now also got clients using slightly newer versions of Illustrator that are also having the same problems. You don't even need change the graphic, something as simple as changing the swatch colour applied from an RGB preview to CMYK screws it.

[Doug A Roberts]

Can you be specific about what has changed and how this affects your workflow?

Specify which versions this affects.

If you can, provide an example file that demonstrates your issue.

[Goldie2025]

The blur moves from the outside of the shape to the inside, I can't share files as they're still covered by NDA's, but it's definitely more recent than CS5 as mentioned below as we've been using them for years.

[Monika Gause]

That has been introduced in version CS6 where the old Gaussian blur effect has been completely revamped. So when you save down to version CS5 or lower, then Gaussian blur will be expanded.

[Goldie2025]

Definitely more recent than that as we've been using them for years. It seems the Gaussian has been moved from inside the shape to outside which is causing issues.

[Monika Gause]

Are you sure you are using Gaussian blur and not Feather?

[Goldie2025]

Absolutely positive, I've been using Illustrator for 25 years now so we're good. 🙂 If you create a circle, fill it, apply a gaussian blur. Open it in an older version of Illustrator and click on it, the item completely changes as it looks like the blur is applied on the inside in older versions rather than outside in later versions. We built over 50 files, sent them to the client saved back in legacy format, they pull them into files that were created in 2019, all the blurs go wrong.

[Monika Gause]

If you can't share the original files, please create files that can be shared.

[Goldie2025]

Attached, it's literally two circles with gaussian blurs applied. Open it in the latest Illustrator, and then open it in a 2019 version and click on it, the graphic changes as the blurred is applied differently. I also attached a screen shot so you can see what it should look like.

[Goldie2025]

It won;t allow me to upload the Illustrator file 😞 

[Goldie2025]

We transfer link below:
https://we.tl/t-7FUGHqZ3iy

[Doug A Roberts]

Is this only reproducible when opening the file in Illustrator 2019 or earlier? The oldest version I have access to is 2023.

[Monika Gause]

I could not open that in CC2019, because you did not downsave it.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Goldie2025,

Thanks for sharing! I hope the expert’s explanation was helpful. Could you also share a screenshot showing the difference you’re seeing?

Your opacity mask workaround is a good option. Another approach is to rasterize the blurred elements before saving down. They won't remain editable, but this will keep their appearance consistent in older versions without unexpected changes.

Let me know if this helps!

Abhishek

[Goldie2025]

Unable to rasterize as the files are going to the printers to produce options. Just really frustrating that this was changed as essentially it's caused a huge problem that didn't need to be created.

[Monika Gause]

I have now created my own testcase with just a circle and Gaussian blur and cannot see a difference.

Are you sure that this is not caused by different color settings?

Illustrator 2025 (left) Illustrator CC2019 (right)

[Goldie2025]

Hey Monika

That screen grab looks nothing like the file I sent across, is that how it opens for you? See below my end:

[Goldie2025]

Can you open the file I sent it both 19 and 25? and does it look the same when you click on the objects?

[Doug A Roberts]

Can you show comparison images before/after opening in 2019?

[Monika Gause]

As I already wrote: your file doesn't open at all in CC2019, because it hasn't been saved to the old version.

[Goldie2025]

You only need save it as legacy format from the latest Illustrator, I didn;t think I'd need to do that part. 🙂 

[Monika Gause]

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@Goldie2025  schrieb:

You only need save it as legacy format from the latest Illustrator, I didn;t think I'd need to do that part. 🙂 

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A problem with your file might be related to your version of Illustrator.

And also when asking for help I would always prepare my files in a way that others do not need to do extra work. YMMV, but then I'm getting kind of reluctant ...

I have that ancient version on a different computer that has a flaky battery and that I'm having trouble to keep working. It didn't even boot correctly. I have to transfer my CC license every time I have to do something on it, because it's not one of my productive machines anymore. 

[Goldie2025]

Hey Monika apologies if I have offended, that was never the intention. Appreciate your time on this. Like I say we have a workaround, I was just hopeful others had enccountered this problem.

[Ton Frederiks]

I saved as CS5 and the blur gets rasterized.

CS6 (AI16) is no problem because that had introduced the improved Gaussian blur.

[Goldie2025]

Hey Ton

I can't replicate the issue either, but I have seen it on Teams from other agencies using the files, and it's always the same. But appreciate the time spent on this, it seems perhaps nobody has encountered this yet. We have a workaround, but I was hopeful someone might say "just click this button" 🙂