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wuts23143389
Inspiring
March 3, 2022
Answered

Patterns not showing upon Export as PDF

  • March 3, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 6020 views

Hi all,

 

Mac OS Catalina, Adobe CC (latest)

 

I have an artwork for a book cover which I use AI's native pattern swatch (Hatching). If I export the artwork as a vector file such as PDF or SVG, the patterns are gone, whilst the pattern retains if I export the artwork as a raster image such as JPEG or PNG. I never really had this problem prior, could you help?

 

Exporting as PNG (retains pattern):

 

 

Exporting as PDF (see attached PDF file)

 

Thank you for any advice.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

your "pattern" constists of lines that do not have a stroke. They only have a fill. 

Since they are striaght lines, this fill cannot be visible. Illustrator shows it, because that's how it shows things, but actually your lines would be invisible. You need to make them as strokes.

3 replies

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 4, 2022

Also, if this is a project for an upcoming date, note you still have 2021 in your date!!

    lucae90388177
    lucae90388177
    Participant
    November 21, 2023

    Hello everybody.

    I made this file with a basic line pattern that doesn't show up when I save it into Pdf. Pattern appears when I open PDF file whit AI but not in the PDf. Is a CMYK file for print.

    Does anyone can help me? 

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    November 21, 2023

    your "pattern" constists of lines that do not have a stroke. They only have a fill. 

    Since they are striaght lines, this fill cannot be visible. Illustrator shows it, because that's how it shows things, but actually your lines would be invisible. You need to make them as strokes.

      Brad @ Roaring Mouse
      Community Expert
      Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 4, 2022

      The hatching is indeed in the PDF, but you've changed the colour mode to RGB for some reason (your file is CMYK and you're going to print, there is no need for that). You've applied a hatching pattern that is actually Black strokes and you used the Lighten transparency mode to turn them White. This really isn't the way to do this. This will NOT show in RGB mode – The Lighten mode looks at the Black strokes and correctly determines it is not lighter than the colour behind it so "nothing" happens)

      How to fix? EDIT your pattern: Double Click on your pattern swatch which opens the Pattern Edit window and change the strokes from Black to White. Close the Pattern Edit window and everything should be fine. In fact you don't need to use Lighten mode anymore.. change that to Normal.

      (Hint: in Pattern Edit mode, If you want you can "Save a Copy" and call it e.g. Hatching White, should you not want to overwrite the existing Black pattern)

        W
        wuts23143389Author
        Inspiring
        March 7, 2022

        Hi Brad!

         

        Thank you so much and apologies the for late reply. Your explanations and steps were clear and concise, super awesome!

         

        I exported to RGB for sending drafts to clients who will view the file on their screens, no reason otherwise. And the date was intended to be 2021 as the book is a summary of previous year's findings, but I appreciate the warning. Thank you again Brad, have a lovely day!

         

        - Wut S

          Brad @ Roaring Mouse
          Community Expert
          Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          March 7, 2022

          Happy trails!

            Ton Frederiks
            Community Expert
            Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            March 3, 2022

            There are indeed no patterns in the PDF.

            Can you share the PDF with Illustrator editing capability checked (or share the .ai file)?

            CC filesharing, dropbox, Google, WeTransfer...

              W
              wuts23143389Author
              Inspiring
              March 4, 2022

              Hi Ton,

               

              When I use "Save as" to PDF with Illustrator editing capability checked, the PDF does show the pattern correctly; however since I am placing the file to InDesign for a publication, when I use Export Book to PDF function in InDesign the pattern disappears again.

               

              In anycase, here's the .AI file via Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nf4l2jjyl19mkyk/AACS9z3kLSv-768W5cM1jZW0a?dl=0

               

              Much appreciate for the help!

              Ton Frederiks
              Community Expert
              Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              March 4, 2022

              Thanks for sharing, see what Brad has to say abot your problem.

              You can also select all objects with the pattern fill and use Recolor Artwork to change the black into white. It will automatically save a new modified version of your pattern.

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