Objects having random fill when turned into pattern swatch

Question

This is my first attempt at making a pattern swatch in illustrator and I've run into an issue at the final step. After turning my pattern into a swatch and testing it one of my icons is altered with random fill and I can't figure out why. I tried going back to the icons original file and ungrouping everything, then it worked when turned into a swatch, but if I bring that new ungrouped icon into my final pattern it still comes out funny. I've attached screenshots to show clearly what I mean. Any and all help appreciated my deadline is fast approaching :s

Thankyou x

tromboniator · Accepted Answer

I regret that I have no explanation for why this happens, but for some reason, in the process of generating your pattern (and it doesn’t happen when making a pattern of just the orange slices) the compound paths making up the magenta loop and most of the black segment borders spontaneously have their fill rules changed (See Attributes panel/read the documentation) so that where there was an opening or hole it is now filled.

It may be (I’m speculating) that the pattern as a whole, and these objects in particular, are complex enough to cause a problem, and this is where it manifests. For starters, I would suggest that you try Object > Path > Simplify to reduce the number of anchor points, and open the layers panel to find and delete a fair number of tiny slivers of paths that are too small to affect the look of the artwork but add to its consumption of resources.

Someone more knowledgeable might offer more help, but this may be a start.

Peter

Anna Lander · Answer

as far as I can see in your file, the cian element of the orange leaves (compound path) has been released during adding into a pattern and made again. I'm not sure how 😞
Now you can go to Pattern Edit mode (double-click on the swatch), in Layers panel find the leaves, for each one release the compound path.

You will see that the main shape is the lowest in the stack, So, you can selest all the details and create a new shape using Pathfinder > Minus Front

Repeat for all such elements and remove the doubled yellow areas which make unneeded overlaps

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