[Jonathan Ziegler]

Well, without more info, I’m really not sure. What version of AI? OS/CPU/System/RAM? Do you use a font suitcase or similar app? What else is running? List the exact steps you are taking. Have you checked the Adobe site, forums, or help?

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Does it work with a different font? How about a plain old line you’ve drawn? I suspect the font did something funky when it was converted to outlines. Try a different font, see if it works, if it does, then the font is the culprit. I’ve done the effects you’re referencing numerous times and no, I haven’t seen that.

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I would step through it one step at a time to find the culprit. I suspect lines 5-8 (line 8 being the most likely). May have to add in some error handling to either prevent the error or to prevent the error from showing. It may be trying to access the current layer which may not be available as a particular data type. I’m completely guessing here – not at my machine right now. 🙁

What version of Photoshop?
How are you launching the script?

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Fantastic! I hope it looks awesome! 🙂

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Are you talking about doing this as an animation? If not, just make the fill color black and be done with it. If it’s an animation, consider putting this in the Flash forum. Illustrator isn’t an animation tool. If I’m totally missing you, then can you provide an example online? Send a link?

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I can see that makes sense and wouldn’t be inconsistent with other projects I’ve worked on. I would think the RIP would take either raster or vector, but, again, I’ve not worked with those specific types of projects so I’m just guessing. Though I’m not opposed. 😉

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I seems odd that the printers would need the package as an AI file, but the cutfiles make sense. I used to do both raster and vector for laser cutter/engravers and CNCs including setting up cutfiles, engravings, etc. plus tons of production work. I know how to do a die-cut (same principle, really), but wouldn’t it have been easier to just leave the raster stuff in PS, then overlay the cutfile in AI on it’s own layer with registration marks? You can simply place the original PS file in AI and then overlay the cutfile and export as single-layer files (include your registration marks, do the cutfile and raster stuff as separate layers and you will likely want to convert the raster stuff to CMYK, but ask the printer first). Remember to include the PS file when you send the AI file to the printer.

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Hi there, okay, don’t use the auto-trace in illustrator. It’s not well executed and really only works well with mostly finished art. Your logo, thus far, is a bit rough. Instead, make a new (blank) image in Illustrator at the current size in inches, go to File >> Place and put your rough braids logo on the page. Now, look for the layer you put the image on in the Layers palette. Double-click the layer and, in the dialog box, choose Template and click okay. This locks the layer so no changes can happen, reduces the opacity and make sit easier to trace. Now, create a new layer and start tracing. Illustrator isn’t really that hard to use. Once you get the hang of it, it’s as easy as photoshop. I prefer to trace my own work, usually.

Consider: using a font for the lettering, grab some other art on braids as references to make that execution smoother, what about making the letters out of braids?

Let us know how it works out!

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

$2k puts you at the lower end of professional camcorders or mid-range for prosumer. Dslrs are different than camcorders and are neither better or worse, per se. If you aren’t comfortable with the tech, I suggest getting a good camcorder for that price in hd. You should have several options at that price.

Rather than buying right away, consider renting one for a weekend to be sure you will like it. You’re gonna have to do some research and find the features you know you’ll need – we will make recommendations, but those will be based on our needs not yours. Your needs are a little vague right now – documentaries and such have a broad range of workable solutions at all price levels so it inevitably comes down to you and your specific needs: how you work, run-and-gun, what you expect from a mic, how you edit, what you edit on, what you realistically expect to capture, does the camera cover all of your shooting needs or will you need a support camera to fill in the blanks? If you can raise your budget, you can afford a better camera, but spending more won’t guarantee a better camera if it doesn’t serve your needs. Bla bla bla. This question comes up quite often and the answer is inevitably the same: it depends on you and your needs and how you shoot, etc. I think once you look at all the specifics of how you shoot on your terms, you’ll find something to suit your needs quite fast.

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Not sure what version of PS you are using, but here is a simple script I lifted from the Photoshop CC Javascript guide (“ArtLayer.jsx” page 62-4) and it seems to work here on CC (if you want to change the sort order, change “ElementPlacement.PLACEAFTER” to “ElementPlacement.PLACEBEFORE”):

// sort the layers by name
for (var x = 0; x < app.activeDocument.layers.length; x++) {
for (var y = 0; y < app.activeDocument.layers.length – 1 – x; y++) {
// Compare in a non-case sensitive way
var doc1 = app.activeDocument.layers[y].name
var doc2 = app.activeDocument.layers[y + 1].name
if (doc1.toUpperCase() > doc2.toUpperCase()) {
app.activeDocument.layers[y].move(app.activeDocument.layers[y+1], ElementPlacement.PLACEAFTER)
}
}
}

If you are going to use this often, I suggest saving it in a plain text editor as sort.jsx or something similar (the .jsx extension is necessary for PS for most current versions) in the startup scripts folder for photoshop so it loads everytime and you can attach a hotkey, too.

Lemme know how it works.

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Jonathan Ziegler

http://www.electrictiger.com
520-360-8293