How to remove all hidden features in a layout?

[mjackson83002]

Actually, I don't know the specific term to be able to ask the question but here goes...

There may be a point in the building of a design that I want to "flatten" all of the elements to a single layer and get rid of all of the live effects and appearances to a level of something like the old Illustrator v.1 format.  I might start over with making compounds and groups from its foundation. Flatten is not the solution...it just sounds like an approach. 

Thanks,

MJackson

[Monika Gause]

Expand Appearance expands your effects and brushes, but does not outline strokes.

Expand expands a lot of the live stuff, but does not work with effects.

Flatten transparency can handle everything, but might just sometimes do too much damage.

Pathfinder panel > Merge makes the artwork "flat" (in the sense of removing overlaps), but like all pathfinders does not handle strokes too well.

So what is it that you want?

[mjackson83002]

I digitize vector digital images that are used for plotters, cnc routers, laser cutters and so forth. I need to make sure there is no lingering or legacy programming that can "reappear" in a design that is not in the outlines I see. Occasionally, I find two or three elements stacked on top of each other. I can delete the duplicates and save the file, yet when I comee back to the file to fix up a flaw, I might use Mirror Me and end up with all of the elements I thought I deleted. That makes me think there are tidbits of programming that is storing some of the earlier executions. Astute Graphics has a feature in the Vector First Aid section called "Remove All Astute Graphics Active Content". That is possibly part of the issue I am trying to track down and eliminate.  It is also the reason I made the post about the shapes with the extra center point when viewed in outline mode. I am looking for vanilla files without any ghosts.

[mjackson83002]

At one time, you could save an Illustrator file into an earlier format, possibly all the way down to verson 1.0 or 3.0 and you would get a message that stated saving in an earlier format would cause the loss of some of the features in current versions. I don't know how far I'd have to go, or if it is even necessary if there is a "cleaner" that gets rid of any ghosts. Just asking!

[Monika Gause]

Of course you can still save back to earlier versions. 

But for CNC routers that might just not be suffcient depending on the nature of the artwork. 

You have Astute Graphics plugins. VectorFirstAid can search for duplicate art and delete it.

There is the free Select Menu plugin that can search for live content. https://rj-graffix.com/downloads/plugins/

[Kurt Gold]

You may want to provide two sample files. One with the objects that are "live" and another one that shows how you want it after flattening all objects to their basic appearance.

Then one may think about possible ways to do it.

[mjackson83002]

Hi Kurt,

The attachment is a mockup of one of the images in use. The artwork is supplied in .AI format with everything in black and open/compoud paths (not really white as seen in the lower left). The user imports the file into their plotter, CNC, plasma, or laser cutter software and cuts or engraves the artwork. If there happens to be a hidden/stacked element, the machines would try to cut twice. With few exceptions, they wouldn't want or need live elements. 

[Kurt Gold]

Thanks, mjackson, but I'm afraid that just posting a .png won't help to get an appropriate solution.

I thought you may provide a sample Illustrator file that shows what you actually have and then explaining what you want instead.

[mjackson83002]

Hi Kurt, and anyone else interested in seeing the issue:

The file has been taken all the way back to a single layer with no groups and no compound paths. It is possible on this one to select all, then Command 8 to make it into a good, single image with a compound path.

However, when I have a file that will not turn into a single compound path using the Command 8 (make compou d path) , I have to use the shape builder. To see the issue, alternate the parts from the black outside box inward, subtracting the open shapes while holding down the option key. You may be able to go through the entire design, or you may start seeing the Subtracting shapes box and slow down.

If you can get all the way through the design, look carefully at the shapes in wireframe mode and you should see a few lines that are darker. Those shapes will have four to seven duplicated shapes stacked on top of each other. 

To the "vanilla" layout, that looks great initially, generates the "ghosts" when using the shape builder.

I am asking if there is a way to ensure that I can get my design back to a place where there a no hidden ghosts in the files....or help me understand what causes them to appear.

After quite a bit of experimenting, and with some help from Carlos at Astute Graphics, one of the simple fixes is to select the entire image and click on the unite tool. In most cases, the stacked parts drop down to only one part.  Still, it does not always solve the problem and I am having to manually use the direct selection tool and delete the extra five or six or more duplicated shapes.

LMK if you see the issues.  FWIW, I am on a MAC with the latest verson of Illustrator.

Thanks, MJackson

[mjackson83002]

I tried uploading the file originally as the native AI file, but the system rejected it. I saved it as a PDF, but I don't know if you can edit it. LMK how to upload the AI file.

[mjackson83002 · Accepted solution]

I am not sure if I have all of the answers to this question, but the responses definitely helped.