"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [STEX]"

[amandathompson]

Since this morning I am unable to use the Freeform Gradient Tool. 

When I try to edit or add points onto the object I repeatedly get the message 

"The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [STEX]"

What I could I try to fix this?

I am using Illustrator 27.9 on Mac OS 11.17.10

I also have Astute Graphics plugins installed. 

Thank you for any suggestions.

[Mike Witherell]

Is there any possibility of upgrading to current Illustrator 28.5 and/or macOS Sonoma 14.5?

[amandathompson]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately no, it isn't possible with this machine. But I appreciate this sensible and constructive sugggestion. 

Amanda

[Monika Gause]

Did you already reboot the computer?

Is that your own file?

Does that happen in all files - even a newly created one?

[amandathompson]

Thanks for the response. 

Yes, I did already reboot. 

I reset my Illustrator preferences files, uninstalled and reinstalled Astute Graphics plugins. The file is mine.

The previous day I was working on it happily using the Freeform Gradient tool to make Astute Graphics Stipplism effects. 

My usual procedure is to make a shape, duplicate it, make a Freeform BW gradient apply the Astuet Graphics Stippilism Effect and adjust it.

Yesterday however in addition to the Stippilism effects disappearing I lost the function of the Freeform Gradient tool itself also.

I used Illustrator v27.9 and v26.2.1 to test the Freeform Gradient tool after rebooting and clearing Preferences files.

The Freeform Gradient tool functionality came back again in this particular file and other files.

However, objects made with the Freeform Gradient tool can not be transformed into objects with Effects applied to them using it. An engineer at Astute Graphics showed me how even Adobe Illustrator's native Effects disappear after rendering when based on Freeform Gradient applied objects. He reproduced the issue I experienced. This is apparently a  known issue with the Adobe Illustrator Freeform Gradient tool – reported by other Astute Graphics users since at least last year.

In my case using the Radial Gradient tool and Line Gradient Tool can be used to generate Effects such as the Astute Graphics Stipplism Effect but the Freeform Gradient appears to have some native stability issues. 

Perhaps in this case the problem was exacerbated by the size of my file (90x90cm) and the advanced age of my machine on Mac OS 11.17.10.

[wonderful_wonderland06994]

I'm having a similar issue with the freeform gradient right now; I was actually researching a solution when I came across your post. I'm using the most recent version of Adobe Illustrator on Windows 11, and I also have the Astute Graphics plugins installed (except mine is the free trial version; my trial is still active right now so it's essentially functioning like the paid version would). My issue is with selecting multiple color stops on a freeform line gradient. When I hold down shift and try to click on multiple color stops, the cursor flickers rapidly and won't select more than one color stop. I've tried closing and relaunching Illustrator and making a new document, but neither fixed the issue. When I relaunched Illustrator for the third time and attempted to select multiple color stops again, it worked. I changed the stops' colors, deselected them, and tried to do it again on a different freeform-gradient-filled object. It no longer worked; I couldn't select more than one stop and the cursor went back to flickering every time I held down the Shift key.

When I read your post, my first thought was that maybe the Astute Graphics plugins are somehow causing this problem, since we both have them installed and we both started experiencing issues with freeform gradients at (almost) the same time. I don't know if they recently had an update that would've messed with their compatibility with Illustrator, but it might be a possibility. I'm going to try uninstalling the Astute plugins shortly, and I'll let you know if it somehow solves my problem with freeform gradients. I know our issues present differently (yours with an error code and mine with a graphical glitch) and that our operating systems are different, but if it ends up working for me, maybe it would be worth a shot for you to try it? 

[wonderful_wonderland06994]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't read your previous replies closely enough. I didn't see where you'd said you'd already tried uninstalling Astute Plugins, my bad. I hope you're able to find a solution. I hope you're able to find a solution, best of luck 🙂

[amandathompson]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. 

Currently I am able to make the Stipplism Effects I need by making the objects into Gradient Mesh objects.

With more complex shapes it is more time consuming than using the Gradient Freeform used to be. But it is possible to cut the objects into chunks and keep the Gradient Mesh lines from going completely bananas all over the place. And Stipplism also works fine for me on Linear Gradients (both shapes and strokes) and Radial Gradients on simpler shapes. It would be lovely if the Freeform Gradient tool would be usuable again as it used to be in several pieces I made in recent years. But on my current set up it isn't.

As of this week each time I made a Freeform gradient, after applying the Stipplism effect, the Fill of the object simply disappears.In the Appearance Panel it shows Stipplism has been applied. But literally on pressing the OK button of the Stipplism dialogue box the object loses its Fill completely, i.e. not even the original Freeform Gradient remains.

If functionality returns I will post any updates certainly.

Thanks again.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @amandathompson,

Thank you for sharing the detailed information about the issue you're experiencing with the Freeform Gradient Tool in Illustrator. It sounds like you've already taken several troubleshooting steps, including resetting preferences and reinstalling plugins.

As you mentioned, you've found a workaround by using Gradient Mesh objects instead, which is great to hear. In the meantime, could you please share the Illustrator file with us? I can get it checked with our product team to see if there's any further insight or assistance we can provide regarding this issue.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we're here to help if you have any further questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

We're still waiting for your response on this issue. Please update the discussion to let us know if it has been resolved or if you still need assistance.

Regards,

Srishti

[amandathompson]

Thank you for your reply. I am sorry for the late response.

Unfortunately the issue was not resolved. So, I have been using a workaround with shapes filled with Line Gradients, Radial Gradients or Gradient Mesh to render the Astute Graphics Stipplism effects.
Colleagues on other machines were unable to create the the same Effects (Illustrator native as well as Astute Graphics) based on any Freeform Gradient filled shapes . So, I do not think it was any problem with this specific file. And I would rather not send my file, though I appreciate the offer and thank you kindly for suggesting this.

If the issue goes away when I get a new computer and update my Illustrator version from 27.9 I will try to remember to update this section with any information that might be helpful to other users in the community.

Thanks again for your help.

[amandathompson]

Hello again, 
as an update for other users too: the issue with Freeform Gradient not being convertible or editable with Astute Graphics Stipplism and other native effects has exactly the same problems on my new computer running Mac OS 13.4 and inside Illustrator 28.6 (2024). It is the same on a new and light file with very little content so memory and file size/complexity are not an issue. It appears to be a bug.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @amandathompson,

Thank you for the detailed update. I understand how frustrating it must be to deal with this issue, especially after trying so many troubleshooting steps.

Since you've mentioned that the problem persists even on a new system and with the latest Illustrator version, I'm wondering if this has been reported to Astute Graphics as well. Without access to the specific file, it’s challenging for us to diagnose the exact cause of the issue. However, collaborating with Astute might provide further insights since their plugins seem to be involved.

Please let us know if there's anything else we can assist with.

Best regards,
Anshul