Image Repeating and not Transforming

[adam_7198]

I have an image exported from Matlab as a pdf, since I often overlay additional pdf/vector-friendly elements on overall figures. The problem is, I cannot resize or move the image, it seems to only start repeating itself. I have done this sort of workflow for years and have only just encountered this with some images from Matlab.

Default image with its bound box (in a pdf file):

Attempting to scale the image casues a repeat of the image starting from the old boundary rather than just scaling the size:

Same thing with moving the box (downward here) - it does not actually move the image, but seems to "roll" it:

 

[Rene Andritsch]

@adam_7198 Which version of Illustrator are you using and on which operating system? Are you able to provide the file? I can try to see if this issue happens on my end as well.

[adam_7198]

Version 29.3.1 on Mac. 

The attached pdf shows the problem, whereas I also tried generating an eps file then saving as an ai file (attached) where it is not a problem. It would be good to not have this issue in pdfs.

[adam_7198]

Okay this website won't accept the .ai file........ but nonetheless the pdf shows the issue.

[Rene Andritsch]

@adam_7198 I actually meant the MatLab PDF file.

[adam_7198]

That is what matlab produces.

[Rene Andritsch]

This looks different than your initially posted example.

[adam_7198]

Okay, can try what is attached here if that helps.

[Rene Andritsch]

@adam_7198 Did you place the Matlab file in Illustrator or open it with Illustrator?

[adam_7198]

I opened the file with illustrator.

[Rene Andritsch]

@adam_7198 I would recommend placing the file. Opening the file (at least your test PDF) will present you with a ton of separate elements. They are not grouped. If you open it, before doing anything else select all and group the items. Then you should be able to resize and move the image.

[adam_7198]

Frankly, it would be ideal if all the elements were seperate. Then I could group them later if needed. Currently, no matter how I load it, the image does not have seperate elements nor is it grouped. I don't know what is going on here and haven't seen this repeating behavior before.

[Rene Andritsch]

Can you post a link to the original PDF you showed at the beginning? Then I will try it with that one as well.

[adam_7198]

I can't recall what the original file was, but this test_0.pdf has the same issues as any other pdf created this way. Thank you.

[Rene Andritsch · Accepted solution]

@adam_7198 now I could replicate it. Somehow a pattern is part of all this but if you open the “Transform Panel” and open the flyout menu in the top right corner of the panel, activate transform both. That should fix it.

[adam_7198]

Wow this works, thank you! I wonder if there is some sort of default setting for this.

[Rene Andritsch]

Good to hear! It should stick once you set it, this is an app wide setting which is honoured with new documents. You can also turn it on in the “General” section of Illustrator’s preferences …

[Monika Gause]

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@adam_7198  schrieb:

Frankly, it would be ideal if all the elements were seperate. Then I could group them later if needed. Currently, no matter how I load it, the image does not have seperate elements nor is it grouped. I don't know what is going on here and haven't seen this repeating behavior before.

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There are a gazillion elements in that file. Introducing a relevant hierarchy into that mess is close to impossible.

As already mentioned by Ton, your artwork is a pattern.

If you get better results with EPS, then I would absolutely use that to get the content out of Matlab and then also talk to their development team about the things you need for export.

[Monika Gause]

This looks very much like a pixel image. 

Are you sure that Matlab has created what you think it did?

Can you check if it maybe created a pattern?

[adam_7198]

It is a pizel image. Creating the same image elsewhere does present a problem. I have been looking through pattern settings/options but am not familar with it, or aware of a way to "turn it off".

[adam_7198]

*Creating the same image elsewhere does not present a problem. 

[Ton Frederiks]

When you select your object (it is filled with a pattern) and click the + sign in the Swatches panel, it will create a pattern swatch. You can drag the pattern swatch to your desktop or double click it to find out that it is just an image.

[adam_7198]

So from pdf, the image seems to be a "path" and has the swatch like you said:

 
Doing the same thing from an eps file shows it as an image (which allows transforms):

Is there a way to switch between the two (path vs image)?

 

[Ton Frederiks]

Once you have added the pattern to your swatches panel, you can double click it, select the image, copy it. Cancel the pattern and paste the image.