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nathand7675830
nathand7675830
Inspiring
March 19, 2015
Answered

How to make a pattern into a compound path in AI

  • March 19, 2015
  • 5 replies
  • 106812 views

I am brand new to AI so please bear with me if this is a very simple question, but I just cannot figure it out. I have about 200 .eps black and white seamless patterns. I have added a few of them to the swatches area so I can fill shapes with my patterns. I can do that no problem. But what I want to do is make the finished patterned-filled shape into a compound path so I can save as an svg and import into my vinyl cutting software. Can anyone explain how I would do this?

[Moved from the generic Cloud forum to the Illustrator forum... Mod]

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer rcraighead

    If simply saving it as SVG does not work, do this:

    1. Object>Expand
    2. Deselect all
    3. Select>Object>Clipping Mask
    4. Delete
    5. Select all
    6. Object>Flatten Transparency>Accept default settings (this will eliminate unwanted groups)
    7. Object>Compound Path>Make

    5 replies

    A
    Atul Kashyap
    New Participant
    January 3, 2024

    Hi select the pattern, go to object in the menu bar<path<outline stroke

    then go to object<expand

    then object<ungroup

     

      Monika Gause
      Monika Gause
      Adobe Expert
      January 3, 2024
      @Atul Kashyap  schrieb:

      Hi select the pattern, go to object in the menu bar<path<outline stroke

      then go to object<expand

      then object<ungroup

       

       

      This does not work. Have you even tried it with a pattern?

      D
      dj68957
      New Participant
      December 9, 2022
      • Select the objects filled with the pattern.
      • Object > Expand.  Check the Fill box, hit OK.
      • Double click the object to get into isolation mode (You'll be in iso mode for the next few steps).
      • Select > Object > Clipping Mask.  Manually deselect the outline of the object you're in using the regular selection (black) arrow.  Delete all the clipping masks that remain (should just be a ton of squares or something like that).
      • Select all, then, once again, deselect the outline of the object you're in using the black arrow.
      • Using the pathfinder, use the add filter to combine all the pattern's shapes into one shape.
      • Then, with the result still selected, make it a compound path (Ctrl/Cmd 8 or Object > Compound Path > Make).
      • Select all, then using the pathfinder again, use the crop filter.
      • Done.  (you can double click out of iso mode, select it and make it a compound path as well...)
      D
      dj68957
      New Participant
      December 9, 2022

      Just a note... Adobe would be well served to make this a one-button command.  It's super useful...

        J
        Jared272496655ttc
        New Participant
        November 21, 2022

        Apply any FX + delete the FX = Done..... Illustrator transforms the pattern into an object to apply the FX....

        K
        kpo
        New Participant
        March 30, 2019

        I have a lattice pattern I have created in Illustrator. My vinyl artists needs to be able to change the color of the lattice in her software. When she tries to change the color it creates a solid filled rectangle rather than just changing he color of the lattice. I am working in illustrator CC2019 and I get the same result she does when I try to change the fill color from the fill color panel in the tool bar.

        I tried following these steps but when I select my lattice and go to OBJECT - EXPAND is greyed out. However, I do have EXPAND APPEARANCE. Once I select EXPAND APPEARANCE, EXPAND then becomes available however following the rest of the steps doesn't yield what I need.  I need help figuring out how to get this in a format so she an take the EPS file and be able to change the fill on the lattice color.

          spacemaker-NrAbbP
          spacemaker-NrAbbP
          New Participant
          July 29, 2020

          I have these same 2 problems.

           

          - I want to create a pattern that includes my own design pattern fills within it, but when I follow the steps above and get to delete clipping mask- the pattern is no longer constrained in my shape and it gets very  messy. I then have to pu the pattern behind and trim each one, which takes too much time.

          - I also want to be able to change a pattern colour easily, but I find I have to go to the original drawing-> recolour artwork-> pattern-> make     for something that seems it should be so simple!

           

          Monika Gause
          Monika Gause
          Adobe Expert
          July 29, 2020

          Which problem exactly do you have? This thread is about SVG files.

          And also: please show.

          rcraighead
          rcraigheadCorrect answer
          Brainiac
          March 20, 2015

          If simply saving it as SVG does not work, do this:

          1. Object>Expand
          2. Deselect all
          3. Select>Object>Clipping Mask
          4. Delete
          5. Select all
          6. Object>Flatten Transparency>Accept default settings (this will eliminate unwanted groups)
          7. Object>Compound Path>Make
            nathand7675830
            nathand7675830Author
            Inspiring
            March 21, 2015

            Saving as an svg does not work. I just get the image without any cut lines (anchor points) in my outside software.

            When I select Object>Clipping Mask, my only option is Make.

            Monika Gause
            Monika Gause
            Adobe Expert
            March 21, 2015

            Are the EPS patterns vector paths? An EPS may contain raster images.

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