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danh76846966
Participant
February 9, 2017
Question

Shutterstock images and 'transparent' backgrounds. HELP PLEASE

  • February 9, 2017
  • 8 replies
  • 32745 views

Hey,

I've just bought an image from shutterstock which you can find here: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/vector-illustration-magic-wand-isolated-on-461350540?src=n-0rDQWwOnpKe7HgTEQdh…

The problem I have found is that it's not actually a 'transparent' background. The background is just the grey checkered pattern that is usually the background for photoshop etc. I'm not quite sure if it's me just being an idiot and not figuring out how to get rid of this background layer. I've tried opening it in Illustrator and then deleting the layer but behind the layer, there is a lot of effect layers like black circles etc. which won't look good. It looks to me like they used the background looking layer to hide the effects but I haven't got a clue. Please, could you take a look and help me with this problem.

Thank you!!!

    8 replies

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    debdoris
    Participating Frequently
    October 29, 2023

    I have this same issue.  unfortunately i've got quite a few of the shutterstock images that appear to be transparent, in hopes that i would one day figure it out.  Very disappointing (not for illustrator but for shutterstock)

      Brad @ Roaring Mouse
      Community Expert
      Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 29, 2023

      @debdoris : As mentioned, the EPS format cannot maintain the transparency effects in the file. The .AI format does, of course, so it's a simple matter of opening the EPS in Illustrator and save it out as an .AI file instead (PDF will work too). Delete the checkerboard layer as it's just there to demonstrate the transparency.  You can work with the file in Illustrator, or, you can now place it in an InDesign document. Keep in mind, the transparency effects only work if there's something behind it to interact with, e.g. you can't place it on a blank InDesign page. Also, keep in mind the colorspace of the file. It'll likely be in RGB as purchased (as many Transparency effects only work properly in RGB), so you would need to make sure your InDesign document is set to RGB Transparency space.

      Regardless, it's a shame shutterstock doesn't simply provide an .AI file. But, even if they change their policy now, I doubt they have any interest in going back and resaving all the existing ones in .AI or .PDF... they don't have the working files, as any contributors only provide them with what they asked for, which is typically the ancient Illustrator 10 format.

        B
        Booper
        Participant
        November 12, 2025

        This is it!!!!! THANK YOU!!! Placing on a blank page was what wasn't working. So appreciate this update - even 2 years later!!!! ; )

          L
          laurap1
          Participant
          February 3, 2018

          I know this is a fairly old post now. But what was the result?

          I have this issue with shutterstock images all the time.

            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 3, 2018

            laurap1  schrieb

            I know this is a fairly old post now. But what was the result?

            I have this issue with shutterstock images all the time.

            There is not "the one" result.

            You will have to carefully inspect the artwork using the layers panel and the appearance panel.

            And then do whatever is required.

            All those artists make this stuff using quite different methods, some might not even use Illustrator.

            The trouble is that they have to deliver EPS images. And transparency has some issues with EPS.

            And also in order to make the preview look correct that will have to sneak in this checkerboard pattern.

            So inorder to work with these images, you will have to know a little more than the basics of Illustrator.

            T
            Test Screen Name
            Legend
            February 3, 2018

            EPS can have complete transparency (0%) or be fully opaque. Those are the only two possibilities. If an EPS looks like it is semitransparent it’s an illusion.

            H
            HelpChild1
            Participant
            November 1, 2017

            Having same issue.  Black circles around everything. When I reduce the opacity of those circles, it changes the overall effect of the image.  It's like the effects are embedded in the black circles.  So reducing them doesn't work because then all of the "glow" of the lights is also diminished.

            Any other thoughts?

            S
            SJRiegel
            Legend
            November 1, 2017

            Those circles are how the effect looks when there is no background for it to interact with.

            Here are a couple of bursts drawn with the flare tool, against no background, and the same with a magenta background behind - no black circles

              angie_taylor
              angie_taylor
              Legend
              September 15, 2017

              The group at the bottom of your layers panel (in the screenshot) looks like it's the checkerboard back ground. Try switching it off To check (excuse the pun!).

              B
              barbarab16917225
              Participant
              September 15, 2017

              I'm having the exact same problem. I tried to save a vector I downloaded from shutter stock as an image but it still has the checked pattern. I don't know about you, but having to remove that background by highlighting the checks and all that stuff is an absurd waste of time, especially when there are programs like canva out there for non designers. Lame.

              Doug A Roberts
              Community Expert
              Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              September 15, 2017

              but that's just how whoever made the image constructed it. it's nothing to do with illustrator.

                Mike_Gondek10189183
                Community Expert
                Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
                Community Expert
                February 9, 2017

                Is less work to illustrate something like this from scratch, that to try and create a transparent background with RGB documents blending modes of screen/overlay.

                Doug A Roberts
                Community Expert
                Doug A RobertsCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                February 9, 2017

                impossible to say without the actual AI file, unfortunately. perhaps you could show us the layers panel expanded?

                D
                danh76846966Author
                Participant
                February 9, 2017

                Hi thank you so much for the quick response. The file it downloads is an EPS and not a .AI. That's why I thought when it said "transparent background" I thought it would have just that as I've worked with eps' before with transparent backgrounds. I've included an image of some of the layers in this image. I try to delete the last few layers and I'm left with lots of circles. hope you can help still!

                thanks!

                Kris Hunt
                Kris Hunt
                Legend
                February 9, 2017

                All you really need to do is select one of the black gradient circles, then select all the other circles with a similar fill, and replace the gradient with one that goes from 100% opacity color to 0% opacity color instead of 100% opacity color to 100% opacity black. Then repeat for every other gradient fill until no more ugly black circles remain. I've done this before; it's tedious, but it works.

                Kris Hunt
                Kris Hunt
                Legend
                February 9, 2017

                Stock vector graphics tend to appeal to the lowest common denominator, and programs other than Illustrator don't necessarily support transparency, so you will often find that they use the Screen blending mode to simulate transparency. If a .ai file is supplied, you will definitely want to use that instead of a .eps, which doesn't support transparency. Otherwise, you will have to do some work to the file to convert these black circles to transparent gradients, or find a way to use the file as they designed it, with a black background.

                Alleine Dragonfyre
                Alleine Dragonfyre
                Participant
                December 16, 2022

                Did it make you feel more important by beginning your answer with condescending snark? I bet you're an Apple user.

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