• Is “Separations Preview” buggy?

[dimitri_cas]

Hello -

Yes, is “Separations Preview” buggy?

It sure looks like it to me (and it doesn't matter if you're working with the latest version of Illustrator or not, I've gone all the way back to version 2023).

Context:
I have a dynamic symbol, in which I have the yellow part in “yellow (CYMK).
One of the advantages of a dynamic symbol is that you can change its appearance without changing the symbol itself.

 
In this case, I'm changing its color to a Pantone color (outside the symbol, ie. once it's been placed on an artboard).

It works.

However, when I check the color separations, it doesn't show the Pantone (applied outside the symbol), but the basic CMYK yellow included in the symbol.
Strangely enough, when I draw a shape (eg. a rectangle) on the artboard, Pantone is shown in the separations!

Strange, isn't it?
Is it a visualization bug or am I missing something here?

Thx, enjoy your day.

Cfr. the uploaded screenshots.

- Dimitri

[Monika Gause]

Please share a demo file that has the error.

Change the file extension from .ai to .pdf in order to upload it to the forum.

[dimitri_cas]

Hello Monika -

In attachment the demo file.

Thx.

[Monika Gause]

I would think you have found a bug. I haven't found it already reported on Uservoice: https://illustrator.uservoice.com

So you should do that. You will need an account there. If you want me to do it, just say so.

The bad thing is: there is nothing you can do now to fix your file.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

If you look at the Output Preview > Separations of the PDF in Acrobat, they are correct, so the file WILL output correctly.

Also: if you place the PDF in an InDesign document, and use its Separation Preview, it's correct, so yes, there's definitely a quirk with Illustrator's implementation.

(I tested even further back to CC2020 and it's wonky there, too.)

[dimitri_cas]

Many thx Brad…  🙂

[dimitri_cas]

Hi Monika  🙂

Thx for you answer. 

I don't have an account on this website, so yes please, could you add it?

Many thx, enjoy (soon) your week-end.

- Dimitri

[Monika Gause]

Reported here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/494...

Have a nice weekend.

[Ton Frederiks]

If I select your example and click on the folder icon at the bottom of the Swatches panel, I can create a color group wth the colors of the selected object.
There are only 2 colors added. The yellow color has the name Deleted Global Color 4
To get rid of that color and replace it by the yellow Pantone 108C spot:
Select the Pantone 108 C swatch in the color panel.
Hold down the Cmd key and click on the Deleted Global Color 4 swatch.
From the Swatches panel menu select Merge Swatches
This will also change the color of the symbol.

[dimitri_cas]

Hi Ton -

Thx, but… not what I'm looking for.

Cheers

[Ton Frederiks]

OK Dimitri, but a non existing "Deleted Global Color 4" color popping up seemed strange and maybe related to me.