Transparency Issue

Clever Endeavor · January 23, 2012, 09:19:21 AM

Good morning everyone!

I've got a logo that usually sits over a rich black background. The designer that sent this to us removed all the background pieces EXCEPT for the black fill inside the P, O, A and the (R) symbol.

When I isolate it and remove it, it fills it with white. Even with no background - it's as if the R, P, O etc. are completely filled, and then black is painted over it.

Can anyone remove the black so the letter are completely transparent? I am greatly indebted to you guys already for the work you've helped me get through.

Thanks,

Blake

Ear · January 23, 2012, 09:33:46 AM

Here you go. I set the black fill to None, then opened pathfinder, selected the center of the O and the outside of the O with the shift key and used pathfinder to knock the center out. The problem you were having is that the O (and other shapes with isolated centers) were being seen as 2 objects with the center being stacked on top of the main letter shape. You deleted the center and were left with the main shape. Instead, you must change the center fill to none and use the shape to knock it out of the main letter shape.

Ear · January 23, 2012, 09:37:12 AM

Here's a screenshot of pathfinder within illustrator. Also, I saved it as a CS5, .ai... native Illustrator. Let me know if you want me to save it back a version or three for you. Try to stay away from .eps. You should be able to place the native .ai file just fine and with more consistent results.

David · January 23, 2012, 11:43:38 AM

could also make them a compound path, same diff

Ear · January 23, 2012, 11:49:15 AM

True. There is probably 4 or 5 ways to skin that cat in Illustrator. Pathfinder is just my go to.

gnubler · January 23, 2012, 11:51:05 AM

I always struggle with understanding Pathfinder. I just push buttons until the right one works. :laugh:

Sabrina The Turd Polisher · January 23, 2012, 12:01:34 PM

Quote from: gnubler on January 23, 2012, 11:51:05 AMI always struggle with understanding Pathfinder. I just push buttons until the right one works. :laugh:

You, too?

I would like to think after using the stoopid pathfinder for over 10 years I would just know it.
Nope. :laugh:

gnubler · January 23, 2012, 12:06:52 PM

It never does what I expect it to do. So I just go "click click click" until it works.

Sabrina The Turd Polisher · January 23, 2012, 12:08:10 PM

click
click
click

gnubler · January 23, 2012, 12:15:02 PM

Is it working yet? lol

DigitalCrapShoveler · January 23, 2012, 01:01:27 PM

Possum · January 23, 2012, 01:02:18 PM

You talk about click, click, click.... I usually try to make an opacity mask and just click until the offending shape disappears. I'll try this Pathfinder trick next time, glad to hear about it.

gnubler · January 23, 2012, 01:13:23 PM

Thx DCS. Will add to my Prepress Board of Shame.

Sometimes a command still doesn't have the expected result.

boosted29 · January 23, 2012, 01:15:29 PM

I will try to memorize that chart.

But I know I will eventually give up and click click click

Ear · January 23, 2012, 02:26:31 PM

Quote from: DigitalCrapShoveler on January 23, 2012, 01:01:27 PM

:kiss: Marry me? I would consider switching to Mormonism after seeing this. :kiss:

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Transparency Issue