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I am using the basic graphics line pattern swatch as a fill on several shapes.
I need to convert those individual lines to vector.
How can I do that?
Try using Object>Expand. Then trim the result.
Here's what worked for me:
Object > Expand
Object > Flatten Transparency
Object (or right click shape) > Ungroup
Object (or right click shape) > Release clipping mask
Select only the stripes (not the clipping mask outline) then Object > Compound Path > Make (or command+8)
Then select both the stripes and the clipping mask and use Pathfinder > Intersect
Now the shape is a vector you can fill with any colour.
A lot of steps but definitely better than drawing all the stripes by hand!
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Try using Object>Expand. Then trim the result.
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I can't seem to get that to work, I am sure it is my fault..!
Can you take a look at this and see what I am doing wrong?
http://www.trinitifx.com/wip/Tartan_for_Banner.AI
I am sending this to be printed on a banner, and their software does not show the vector pattern fill..
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There's another pattern applied in your design: the back diagonal stripes are also a pattern.
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That is correct, there is a white stripe layer with the diagonal pattern vector fill, and a black stripe layer with the diagonal pattern vector fill. I need all of those as vector shapes on their own layer (white, black, and blue on the bottom layer).. Possible?
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You need to expand them as well use the same method as above.
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When I select the white stripes layer and use object->expand, the new white stripes are thinner than the pattern fill stripes. You can see that here with the white stripes over the non-expanded black stripes. Is there a way to keep them the same thickness as the pattern fill?
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This an RGB document.
Turn off align to pixels.
Then try again.
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Do you mean 'align to pixel grid'?
It is not checked now.
With it still off, I object->expand(ed) again and the same thing happened.
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You could try and go a different way.
Instead of using Expand, try and select all and then:
Object > Flatten transparency.
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I can't see that flattening the transparency does anything at all.
I guess I will just have to re-create the pattern shape-by-shape.. arg..
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Thats what I just had 2 do, so fustrating that the pattern tool wont work for paths is odd conidering illistrator is used for paths!
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What do you mean - the pattern tool doesn't work for paths?
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I made a path then put it in swatch list then added that swatch 2 my outline and now its not path its just a pic then when i follow steps above the pattern always turns out wrong or missing items from pattern
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Can you perhaps post examples?
It's not clear at all what you are doing and what you are expecting to happen.
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This is not a sufficient answer. Correct steps below.
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You are a god. My patterns were pixelated when rotated. Expanding fixed it.
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Here's what worked for me:
Object > Expand
Object > Flatten Transparency
Object (or right click shape) > Ungroup
Object (or right click shape) > Release clipping mask
Select only the stripes (not the clipping mask outline) then Object > Compound Path > Make (or command+8)
Then select both the stripes and the clipping mask and use Pathfinder > Intersect
Now the shape is a vector you can fill with any colour.
A lot of steps but definitely better than drawing all the stripes by hand!
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Nice! I had to swap the "Ungroup" and "Release Clipping Mask" steps but great step-by-step 👍 Thank you!
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Perfect! Thank you 🙂
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This is a game changer for me, thank you!!
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Thanks so much! This worked very well.
I had a dot grid pattern that I needed to create a gradient mask over and it was not working as intended on my Expand-ed dots. My dots also got a bit wonky after Expand (had some excess) but the last step trimmed the excess off and cleared it all up.