Skip to main content
jemdoughnut
jemdoughnut
Participating Frequently
January 15, 2021
Answered

Objects having random fill when turned into pattern swatch

  • January 15, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 1521 views

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

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer tromboniator

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

4 replies

tromboniator
tromboniator
Adobe Expert
January 16, 2021

I'm delighted that you were able to fix it. Yay!

Anna Lander
Anna Lander
Inspiring
January 16, 2021

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

    tromboniator
    tromboniatorCorrect answer
    Adobe Expert
    January 16, 2021

    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

      jemdoughnut
      jemdoughnutAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 16, 2021

      Hi Peter, it worked! I selected the whole pattern and simplified the paths and it came out perfect. Thank-you so much! 🙂

      michelew83603738
      michelew83603738
      Adobe Expert
      January 15, 2021

      Sorry, I am not seeing a problem. Only one of the screenshots is downloadable for me, are there 2? Can you insert the image instead of link (the 4th icon from the right will embed it).

      jemdoughnut
      jemdoughnutAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 15, 2021

      Here's the second screenshot 

      jemdoughnut
      jemdoughnutAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 15, 2021

      Did you make the orange into a symbol? That seems like a good way to work. You can tell if there is a blending mode or anything going on by either selecting it and looking at the appearance panel and seeing if any attributes are added there. Or looking at it in the layer panel itself. When selected, the little circle is sort of filled in when there is something going on. See example below. A blend mode can also be at the layer level, so check there as well.


      I hadn't made them into symbols but since you mentioned it I tried making it into a symbol, there were no problems when I test ran it as a pattern. Yet when I replaced all of the oranges as symbols into the artwork and made a patten the same problem happened. I worked out that the pattern is showing what the symbol looks like when reflected, is this normal? 

      The only effects on the layers I can see is opacity I added to those yellow blobs. 

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices