Illustrator Pattern Layer Problem

Adobe After Effects

Illustrator Pattern Layer Problem

Posted by Mark Mcgrotty on February 20, 2013 at 5:39 pm

Hi,

I have an interesting problem that has been driving me nuts most of the day.

In this screengrab: 5486_screenshot20130220at17.24.30.jpg.zip

You will see we have a group of stickmen with a noise pattern layered on top. The problem is with the male stick man – you can see there is a pattern tiling happening on the layers in the background.

There is no 3D space, just position and scale change and all other vectors use the exact same technique:

Layer Top = Stroke
Layer Middle = Noise pattern
Layer Bottom = Vector silhouette

yet I’m getting no problems with them. Initially I thought it was because I had ‘Continuously Rasterize’ turned on, but I turned it off and re-rendered but no luck! This is an ai file imported as comp with layers. Hope anyone can help, because it’s dricing me a lil mad.

Many Thanks

Vishesh Arora replied 13 years, 5 months ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Jeff Hinkle
February 20, 2013 at 6:22 pm

Can you post a screenshot of your timeline(s)? Might help to see what’s layered where.

—
It is easier to destroy than to create.
More fun, too.
Ridley Walker
February 20, 2013 at 6:26 pm

If the noise pattern originates in Illustrator – are you able to rasterize the noise layer before importing to After Effects?

Otherwise it should be easy to recreate this look entirely in After Effects using a track matte, without any messy tiling issues.
Vishesh Arora
February 20, 2013 at 6:32 pm

Mark

Initially I thought it was because I had ‘Continuously Rasterize’ turned on, but I turned it off and re-rendered but no luck!

You should turn Continuously Rasterize ON as you will not get any edges if you scale the AI files.

you can see there is a pattern tiling happening on the layers in the background.

Are you sure that you have not applied any effect? Select the Male AI layer and check the Effects Panel.

The tiling pattern is exactly the same on every layer.

Select the AI layer with the tiling pattern in Timeline, Context-click and select Reveal Layer Source in Project Panel.

Once revealed in project panel, Double click on the AI file to open it in viewer and check whether the patters are there or not?

Vishesh Arora
3D and Motion Graphics Artist
Films Rajendra

Blog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.com

2011 3D Demo Reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8
Mark Mcgrotty
February 20, 2013 at 6:38 pm

I can’t post today as the file is in work ( I had to just walk away from it! ) – but it’s just pretty much layered as described above, no alpha or luma with pattern on top of silhouette.
Mark Mcgrotty
February 20, 2013 at 6:39 pm

Yeah, I’ll give that a shot if I don’t manage to suss it out this way. Cheers
Mark Mcgrotty
February 20, 2013 at 6:41 pm

Thanks for the suggestions Vishesh, will give them a shot tomorrow when I get back to it. Cheers!
Mark Mcgrotty
February 21, 2013 at 10:00 am

It was a Continuously Rasterize problem after all.. With it switched on it displays the edges of the pattern tile when scaling down, but not when scaling up. Like when you zoom out in Illustrator the preview does the same thing.

Texture layer with it switched on:

Result when switched on:

Texture layer with it switched off:

Result when switched off:

Thanks again for everyones help. We live and learn.
Vishesh Arora
February 21, 2013 at 3:50 pm

Glad that you solved the issue and yeah We live and learn 😀

Vishesh Arora
3D and Motion Graphics Artist
Films Rajendra

Blog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.com

2011 3D Demo Reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8

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