Non-Native Art Gradients

[j***@adobeforums.com]

We receive a lot of files that contain non-native blends. Sometimes we need to have these Illustrator files print entirely on the black plate. Filter>Colors>Convert to Grayscale won't convert these non-native blends. Our artists have been removing the clipping masks and recreating the blends. This can often be a tedious and time consuming endeavor. Does anyone know of a faster workaround, or maybe even an inexpensive or free plugin for Illustrator CS that can accomplish converting all the non-native blends to grayscale in one shot?

-Jeff

[S***@adobeforums.com]

What is a "Non-native" blend?

[j***@adobeforums.com]

My guess is that the vector file was created in another application such as Corel application or maybe a file saved without PDF compatibility? I am not exactly sure, I wish I knew more. But in the Appearance Palette I do see the words "Non-Native Art" when the object is selected, and it appears to always be a gradient. I am not positive, but it may be similar or exactly related to the warning message that appears upon opening: "An unknown shading type was encountered."

[D***@adobeforums.com]

How about if you just Object/Rasterize as a grayscale?

[S***@adobeforums.com]

Look in the Links palette. The object is most likely a rasterized element from CorelDraw, a result of converting to a more generic ormat, in this case PostScript.

One Q&D way to get everything to be grayscale is to group everything, put it over a black rectangle, and make an opacity mask (Transparency palette's menu).

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Illustrator's inability to convert live grads to grayscale is not limited to grads imported from other programs. It can't convert its own native grads to grayscale.

You can expand live grads to a specified number of discrete objects with solid fills; then convert to grayscale will work.

JET

[j***@adobeforums.com]

Yes, I understand that I can't convert a blend to grayscale, which makes this request rather silly on my behalf. But I wasn't sure if these objects behaved differently since the blends are some sort of non-native vector object (with an x through the bounding box) that is being clipped by a path.

I could feasibly rasterize each object, but that would require multi-selecting the objects and releasing the clipping mask>rasterize>and then reset the clipping mask. But in that case I would be better off releasing the path, discarding the non-native blend object, and setting the path with a similar matching native black to white gradient.

I appreciate your suggestions. I am sorry for not supplying enough information from the beginning.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Post by J***@adobeforums.com
It can't convert its own native grads to grayscale.

You can use this action in the address below to do so. Kurt is hosting this action for me.

<http://www.illustrator.hilfdirselbst.ch/Sonstiges/John_Kallios/Gray_gradient.zip>

[j***@adobeforums.com]

How about that, I ask for something and end up with something even better! - This action is fantastic. I have suddenly forgotten about those non-native blends since I am having more fun watching this action run :)

Thanks,
Jeff

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Post by j***@adobeforums.com
fun watching this action run

That is why bumpy actions are best.

;) @ Kurt if he ever visits this thread.

[D***@adobeforums.com]

JK really know his sh!t, doesn't he? And a sense of humor to boot? Can't beat that combination.

[I***@adobeforums.com]

Jeff

Can you post an sample gradient to have a look at?

Ian

[K***@adobeforums.com]

What? That action has settled down on our server? I'll remove it immediately ;-)

Seriously, John, have you already discovered that the action produces needless extra objects sometimes? For example, if you've got a grad filled circle or ellipse and run the action you get a very thin black filled object that represents the upper part of the circle.

Not really a serious problem, but I think it can be fixed easily.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Post by K***@adobeforums.com
Seriously, John, have you already discovered that the action produces

needless extra objects sometimes? For example, if you've got a grad filled
circle or ellipse and run the action you get a very thin black filled
object that represents the upper part of the circle.




No, the truth is I do not have a need for this but for the rare occasion, but I will check it out more. Since you notice the problem, do you already have an idea where the problem lies?

Doug, you exaggerate, but thanks. (you embarrass me)

[K***@adobeforums.com]

I have not examined yet all the circumstances when it occurs, but I suspect a small offset or scale of the copied and pasted in back object would fix it.