Unnecessary parts (vector and raster)

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if there is a way to remove vector (gradients,shadows etc.) and raster (sometimes with clipping mask) beyond certain dimensions altogether.So far we are using different methods like cutting vectors with shape builder or pathfinder,more complex vectors we need to rasterize then crop it to fit into  predefined dimensions,its long and tedious work.I was hoping there is a faster way to to this with maybe a plugin or diffrenete methods that I dont know yet.

Please see png attached (exmaple).

A. is what we get from our costumers.

B. is what we should get as the final result.

Please see - blue line.png

This is what we usually get and there shouldn't be anything (vector,raster) beyond the blue line.

[Ton Frederiks]

I would not know a fast way besides rasterizing the content of a clipping mask.

I am wondering why you need to do that, removing invisible content?

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

We need to curve the design,but if there are parts that go beyond the specific border,the design dosent curve in a way that should.

[Ton Frederiks]

I see.

Outline strokes and draw a rectangle of the size you need on top.

Select the rectangle and choose Object > Paths > Divide Objects Below

After that you can select and remove the objects outside the rectangle.

You can still expect some problems with gradients, mesh objects and effects.

Image objects can be cropped using the Object > Crop Image option.

There is no simple way unfortunately except Rasterizing.

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

Just tried your suggestion with Divide Objects Below,but yea,it works only on simple vectors.

This is not exactly what Iam looking for but thank you anayways,it helped at least with the easier ones.

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear, at least it is another option.

[creative explorer]

@DRAGAN28437974li3z have you thought of using the 'selection' tool of maybe the 'color' or 'stroke' or just go to the main menu - Select - Shapes & Text 

[Kurt Gold]

Can you share one of the more complex Illustrator files for inspection?

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

Here you go,this is one of them,this is the same from the blue line.png

Everything beyond the red rectangle should be gone completely,even the unseen parts.

We usually rasterize this kind of things but then rasterizing things usually leads to lower quality of the final product.

In reallity no one will notice the difference but we still try to avoid doing this.

[Kurt Gold]

Unfortunately there is no download link in your latest post.

If you want to attach the file, make sure to save it as .pdf with the Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities option turned on. Or rename the original xyz.ai file to xyz.pdf

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

Yea,thank you for that.I noticed that it wont upload,so I went searching but the only thing I found was to share it by cloud.Now I now one more thing,once again thanks and here its the file once more =).

[Kurt Gold]

Are you sure that this is the original file saved as .pdf with the Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities option turned on? Or is it rather a flat .pdf file?

I'm asking because this file contains more than 500 unnecessary clipping groups which indicates it's the latter.

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

No,this is the original file,hence why I am asking if there is a quicker way to remove all of the clipping groups beyond the red line without rasterizing it.Like I previously mentioned this is what we usually get and we try to avoid rasterizing it to avoid quality loss.

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the clarification.

Based on this sample file it takes just a couple of steps to crop the scene. Note that the following steps can be automated to a large extent with an action or a script.

1. Select the clipped sun and lock or hide it.
2. Select menu > Object > Clipping Masks
3. Hit the Delete key to remove all clipping paths.
4. Select all, then Object menu > Clipping Mask > Release
5. Select all, then Pathfinder panel: Crop
6. Unlock / Show and select the clipped sun, then Object menu > Rasterize
7. Crop the sun manually.

As already mentioned, one can automate this process, but as you probably have other files that are built in different ways and thus may require varying / additional techniques, it's rather difficult to provide an instant approach.

[DRAGAN28437974li3z]

Yea,sorry for the late replay,this kinda helped and thank you.I was hoping there is like some kind of addon that would just automatically cut of everything seen and unseen beyond certain dimensions.

Thank you once again for your help.