Unwanted Blue Box (Not in Layers) in Multiple Illustrator Files

[prepress10l71243818]

I've seen this box in a few files now (not ones generated by myself but by others) and have not been able to locate where it is in the file, move it, or delete it. It does not confine the content, it doesn't move when the content moves, it's nowhere on the layers....I'm at a loss.

What is it?? It doesn't seem to have anything to do with print tiling, but it looks similar.

{Renamed by MOD}

[Monika Gause]

Is it still there when you go to View > Preview on CPU?

[prepress10l71243818]

Yes it is

[chrisl41501719]

That looks like a Dieline. the solid line is the actual Die (cut line). The dashed line is the bleed needed. Some clever designers build these things as templates and convert them somehow so they can lock it. That way their clients can't accidentally move or resize the dieline at all and assuring an accurately sized print.

What's cool is just prior to printing, their RIP then searches for and places the invisible die (by name, pms color...).

[prepress10l71243818]

That's really interesting. I've never heard of this before. Do you know of any way to remove this from the Illustrator File?

[Monika Gause]

When was your last computer restart?

[prepress10l71243818]

Hm probably a couple days ago

[Monika Gause]

  schrieb

Hm probably a couple days ago

Desktop PCs are not made for this. Restart it first and see if the issue is still there.

[prepress10l71243818]

I tried restarting, but it still appears the same on my computer.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. I don't think it is a Dieline. According to this post (https://creativepro.com/3-ways-to-make-die-lines-in-adobe-illustrator/ ), Dieline is visible in the layers panel.

I would request if you can share a few more details like:

• OS (Exact version of Windows/MAC)
• Version of Illustrator
• A sample file to test it at our end.

Looking forward to your response!

Regards,

Srishti

[prepress10l71243818]

Here are the details you requested:

macOS Sierra Version 10.12.6

Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 (version 23.0.4)

Here is a link to the file. I have only left the blue box in there so it will appear blank in preview but if you need me to add in layers of art or anything let me know:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YpshcbtTLnLX8MKlVkQ8gdfkJV7hbeAu

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

There's nothing in your file.

[prepress10l71243818]

You can try this link too...maybe it will work. This is partly the reason I'm so frustrated because other people can't see the box, although my other colleague's computer also shows the box in the file.

TWHBEA_Banner.ai - Google Drive

[chrisl41501719]

Right. I mean template more than dieline. The dieline needs to be selectable by the artist. But a template like this can be "hidden" with a script. I have NO idea how, but I see these a lot - especially from billboard manufacturers.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

It looks like you inadvertently switched Drawing Modes to "Draw Inside." This allows you to Draw Inside of the selected object.

Press Shift + D to switch back to Normal Drawing.

[prepress10l71243818]

That didn't work 😕

[chrisl41501719]

Is there any sign of it in channels? Maybe a spot channel is locked?

[prepress10l71243818]

Where do I find spot channels in Illustrator?

[chrisl41501719]

Open it up in Acrobat and go to Print Production - Output Preview.

That will show all your channels overall saturation levels in CMYK and list any PMS color saturations.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Now there's outlined type but nothing like your screenshot.

See screenshot below.

[prepress10l71243818]

That's so weird. Thank you for trying to help though!

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Do you have another computer? See if the same thing is happening on that computer.

[prepress10l71243818 · Accepted solution]

I think we figured it out, though it still doesn't make much sense to me. We were using an older version of Illustrator CC but when we used the newest version they disappeared.

Still very curious as to why that is a thing lol but I'm glad we figured it out. And that explains why no one else could see the blue box.

[Kurt Gold]

I know the two blue boxes (blue by default, but the colour can be changed) when creating a pattern with the Pattern Options palette while the options Show Tile Edge and Show Swatch Bounds are turned on.

[Srishti Bali]

I am glad to see that you are all set. Please feel free to update the discussion if you have any further queries.