Problem with align option with certain objects - moving pivot

[Shabz29]

Hi fellow Illustrators,

I have a problem with the alignment option that I noted especially with imported SVGs (or PDFs sometimes) but it seems that it's bad even if that problematic imported part is a part of the group of other perfectly "valid" elements. Oddly enough, it looks like every use of alignment option moves the pivot centre in small decrement towards one location.

The only workaround solution I've found is to draw a rectangle with the size of my object that needs aligning, and use align option with it, next using smart guides move my problematic group. Aligning those imported objects work in Affinity Designer without any problems so it must be "Illustrator thing".

Because of that, I've found it really annoying when dealing with loads of icons imported from SVGs to the point that I redraw it all in AD.

[Shabz29]

It seems I can't edit my post - my AI version is 22.1 (still waiting for the IT for the latest update).

[Monika Gause]

Doesn't look normal.

But actually you would need to upload one of the PDF or SVG so that someone can see if it's the file or your Illustrator installation.

Both file types are not native Illustrator files, so you have to expect a lot of surprising things to happen.

Does this also happen with newly created files?

How are rulers set up?

[Shabz29]

Hi Monika,

Thanks for your suggestions.

Exemplary files can be downloaded here (3x SVG) https://adobe.ly/2yvkNni

It happens also in newly created files. I've noticed one thing - if I open SVG and copy-paste it to another document - those pasted objects behave normally. But if I place them they look the same but are infected with awkward alignment behaviour.
I use FIle/Place... option quite a lot, especially when placing e.g. 50 icons - very handy but apparently buggy. Can you tell me if my assumptions are true? How do those files work for you?

Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

Hi,

thanks for the files and sorry it took me so long to take a look at them.

I can reproduce the behaviour when I place those files into a new file.

I don't know what causes it, but looks like a strange bug to me.

You might want to log a bug report on http://illustrator.uservoice.com

[tromboniator · Accepted solution]

All three of your example files have the artwork grouped with two empty groups. For some reason their presence causes the odd behavior. Get rid of those empty groups and the alignment behavior returns to normal.

Peter

[Shabz29]

Thanks, Tromboniator, I would probably never found that out myself! Definitely, it throws some hints what can be done, even if it's not a quick fix.

The thing is, I have the library of thousands of SVGs that are done that way, so manually editing code is even more cumbersome than old-fashioned opening and pasting them separately (right now I know I have to do that way, too bad that handy placing method causes problems).

Also, what about the situation when I've already placed them? The only fast solution I can see now is to copy-paste it to Affinity Designer and then copy-paste again to Illustrator (oops, Adobe!).

[tromboniator]

Try asking about it in the Illustrator Scripting Forum . I have no idea if this sort of thing is scriptable, but it can't hurt to ask. Sorry that I have no easy solution for you.

Peter