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DougKatz9966516
Inspiring
November 10, 2017
Answered

Library Syncing

  • November 10, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1855 views

I am exploring the power of the library panel and have read the help files and several forum posts. I would appreciate some basic clarification.

I gather that library syncing offers something functionally approximate to Photoshop's Smart Objects: an edit to a graphic asset in the library will be reflected in all instances of that asset on all artboards in all Illustrator files. But is this true whether or not the library syncing feature is enabled? More precisely, what functionality (if any) do the library and its assets have when the syncing feature is disabled? And what advantages does one gain by enabling it?

Thank you in advance.

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Ton Frederiks

      Very kind of you to respond, Ton. And on a Saturday!

      Since you didn't see the stroke clipping in my first example, I did some more exploring.

      1. I did not see the stroke clipping when the asset was made of a SIMPLE path, Preview Bounds on or off.

      2. I then added a second object, grouped both, added a thick stroke at the group level, added it to the Libraries panel. When I dragged it back out to the artboard, I saw the clipping.

      3. Interestingly I did NOT see drop shadow clipping when it was applied to a single, SIMPLE object.

      4. When I grouped that object (making a group of one), added a drop shadow at the group level, and added it to the Libraries panel, the linked asset pulled onto the artboard DID show the shadow clipped!

      I'm tentatively guessing the clipping, if it's a general phenomenon beyond my setup, is related to GROUPS. What do you think?

      Also (not to be too much of a burden) have you any insights on the first question of this post? The powers of the Libraries panel when library syncing is disabled and enabled? I'm new to these features and don't quite understand them yet.

      Thanks much,

      Doug


      I don't think it's caused by a group. more caused by adding strokes to a group using the Appearance panel.

      I am not sure what you mean by enabeling Library Syncing. When you place an item from a Library as Linked. it will automatically be updated when the library item is modified.

      When you place the Library item as a copy it will lose the link to the Library item and will never be updated.

      1 reply

      D
      DougKatz9966516Author
      Inspiring
      November 10, 2017

      And a follow-up question. If I add a graphic to the libraries panel that has an added stroke or an effect that extends beyond the artwork's shapes, when I link-place it, the graphic's edges are clipped. Am I overlooking a setting? Is this merely a screen artifact? A function of AICC 21.1.0 or Sierra 10.12.6 or the interaction? Or is it an imperfect implementation of the libraries?

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 11, 2017

      Hi Doug,

      I see the Drop shadow clipped too, but I don't see the clipping of the stroke in your other example.

      I tried to turn on the Use Preview Bounds option, but that did not make a difference.

      I am using the latest version 22.0.1 (and the same OS).

      You can report the cropping here:

      Adobe Illustrator Feedback

      D
      DougKatz9966516Author
      Inspiring
      November 11, 2017

      Very kind of you to respond, Ton. And on a Saturday!

      Since you didn't see the stroke clipping in my first example, I did some more exploring.

      1. I did not see the stroke clipping when the asset was made of a SIMPLE path, Preview Bounds on or off.

      2. I then added a second object, grouped both, added a thick stroke at the group level, added it to the Libraries panel. When I dragged it back out to the artboard, I saw the clipping.

      3. Interestingly I did NOT see drop shadow clipping when it was applied to a single, SIMPLE object.

      4. When I grouped that object (making a group of one), added a drop shadow at the group level, and added it to the Libraries panel, the linked asset pulled onto the artboard DID show the shadow clipped!

      I'm tentatively guessing the clipping, if it's a general phenomenon beyond my setup, is related to GROUPS. What do you think?

      Also (not to be too much of a burden) have you any insights on the first question of this post? The powers of the Libraries panel when library syncing is disabled and enabled? I'm new to these features and don't quite understand them yet.

      Thanks much,

      Doug

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