Illustrator Q
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- Nairn
OK, my turn to ask a likely daft question.
In CS2 - is there no easy way to adjust the colours in a gradient?
I have 'metallic text' with depth which uses at least two different gradient sets - i'd like to dick around with the colours, but can't think of any way to do it beyond manually replacing each colour in each gradient - which gets complicated when I have 2 types of gradient, 4 colours in each, across about 40 layers (each letter has to be an individual form, consisting, in turn, of up to 5 layers)
None of the Filter > Color options work (grouped gradients) and I'm in CMYK mode - do I need to upgrade to CS3?
:\
- Nairn0
I guess I could export as a PSD and dick around with the colours in Photoshop, then manually apply the results to the .ai file - but that seems a bit ridiculous.
. o O ( .. or, maybe I should just set the vector forms as a smart object and finish off in pshop? hmm .. )
*wibble
- e-pill0
i dont know the answer, but i know horton does!!!
everytime i think i know the way horton comes tru with the most logical and most efficient model that works!!
HORTON HERE'S A Q!!!!
;)
- Nairn0
Something else -
Can CS3 handle gradients in scatter brushes? Fade to alpha gradients especially? (in fact - have they sorted out alpha gradients in CS3?)
- horton0
you could easily tweak colors if the grads are built with process global swatches... but assuming not i think you gotta get in there tweak manually.
or rasterize grad element in AI and use filter/color to tweak cmyk.
i actually only just got onto CS3 yesterday so don't know if there's any new options that might help.
- JackRyan0
I tried fade to alpha last night on CS3, couldnt figure it out...but I didnt try too hard, I was sleepy.
- Nairn0
Thanks, Horton - I can't manage to change gradients using global colours (either in cmyk or rgb), but I've hit lucky with a colour scheme, so I'll experiment later.
I do have one BIGGIE question for you though, if you don't mind?
For the first time, I'm sending a job off which is to be printed on a metallic background. I have a full colour-logo and background which I want printed so the metallic underbase doesn't show through... BUT, i do have some accentuation details that I'd like 'empty' so the metal shows through. I know this is pretty basic stuff for real print heads - but I've only ever gone full digital or bodged 4-colour separations for screenprinting, so I'm a bit confused!
Here's an example of what I'd like..
the details are made up using alpha-gradients - do I somehow merge these as a selection and have them as a separate colour - OR - do I merge, then deselect these elements from the remaining full-colour graphics?
and if so, how? sorry, I've just realised this might be quite complex :\
If you can help, I offer my deepest thanks! Otherwise, thankyou for reading through all this tripe!
- horton0
re. global colors... if you originally created your grads with custom swatches (global process) you could tweak the swatch CMYK values and then all objects using teh swatch (including grads) would change with it.
i always try to make a swatch for any colors in illustrations.. so much to tweak.
as for other question...
first off, are you sure your printer can do process color on metallic surface? your full color logo won't really show on a metallic ground because there's no white to back it up??? or maybe i'm confused about your job specs?
- Nairn0
ah, that's, I think, what I need to know - I have to make a merged selection of ALL the graphic elements, MINUS those white accents? This would then be printed as a white underbase, then the graphic on top (as with screenprinting light colors on a dark background?)?
AHA! I get what you mean about the global colours now - yes, that is useful :) (You wouldn't believe I've been using Illustrator frequently for over 7 years, would you?)
- Nairn0
ah. hold on - i'll need to halftone those white areas, won't I?
balls.
- horton0
are you printing or screenprinting? spot colors or CMYK?
if printing spots or CMYK keep in mind that there's no white ink, so anything white (0,0,0,0) in your art (or gradients of white) equals the paper color.
you'll be into some extremely expensive and specialized printing if your trying to print a white base on metallic under CMYK or spots.
but a white base (flash) for screenprinting is common.
- monNom0
not sure If I'm following correctly, can't you set your CMYKs to overprint where needed, and knockout the metallic otherwise?
- Nairn0
It's for small packaging - think metallic plastic ziplock baggies:
What process do you reckon the above uses?
Christ, sorry - too many questions. That's it now, I'm going to do the decent thing and speak to the printer before I finalise these details.
THANK YOU for your help, horton - you've helped me clarify the situation.
- horton0
ok yeah packaging printers will be setup to print white.. but i'd call ahead... i've had trouble in the past finding someone who can do it.
that sample image looks like a 3 color job; white, cyan blue and purple.. looks like the darker blue/purple color is achieved by overprinting the cyan over purple.
the areas you marked halftone look more just like the trap where ink prints over edge of white to ensure no unwanted white.
- Nairn0
Yeah, I think you're right about the 3 colour job'dness of the reference packaging.
Shit. Rethink required, urgently - mine's full on 24-bit psychedelia!
Have a most pleasant day, gentlemen.
- horton0
good luck.
to answer your original question.. just design keeping in mind that white equals ground/ metallic, and if your printer is decent they should be able to deal with your grads.
stuff like this i usually create a "ground color" swatch and use in place of white... either flag to printer that swatch equals paper color or tweak swatch values to 0-0-0-0 before saving final file.
over'n'out.
- e-pill0
this thread is the most imformative goodness i seen on nt since the resource thread!!!
horton is my vector idol, even though i never seen your work horton i think its dope by the way you handle yourself with the program..
thanks horton!!!
:)
- Nairn0
Heh, there's a [virtual] metallic gold star with appropriate over/under print, winging it's way across the ether to Horton right now!