Les Nemeth
Forum Replies Created
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Convert it to outline.
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Check the “Continously Rasterize” checkbox of the layer in AE.
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PS: Generally, when you have a final image that is given to you, you can check whether the document and pixel sizes are correct or not.
Example. Let’s say in PS you see that the image’s pixel dimensions are 300×300 pixels. Then under the ‘Document Size’ group, the width and height should be 4.167 inches IF the resolution is set to 72dpi.
You can uncheck the ‘Resample Image’ checkbox, and change the document’s dimensions OR the resolution. This will have an effect on how big the image will display in AI.
However, there are some instances when the image can be corrupt, or saved incorrectly (for whatever reason) and the pixel dimensions will incorrectly correspond to the document size/resolution. In that case it’s best to obtain the original image and re-save it with correct dimension information.
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Generally, imported raster images look sharp and crisp in AI. If they don’t, there is probably some technical details that messes this up.
When you look at the image in PS and bring up the ‘Image Size’ dialog, the width, height, and resolution under the ‘Document Size’ group is what you should look at and NOT the pixel size – when you consider placing the image in AI.
If in the ‘Image Size’ dialog in PS, the width and height of the pixel dimension will say 2000×2000 pixels BUT the document dimensions will say 0.25×0.25 inches, you will see a nice, crisp 2000×2000 image in PS. However, in AI it will be a tiny tiny 0.25×0.25 inch size.
The opposite is also true. If you have a smaller image whose pixel dimensions are 50×50 pixels, BUT the document dimensions are 40cm x 40cm, then you will see a crisp, but small image in PS. However, when you place it into AI, you will see a HUGE 40cm size image, which is badly degraded in quality, since the 50pixel size image was stretched out to 40cm!!!
Lesson: pay attention to the width, height and resolution setting of the document size (in PS) if you consider placing it into AI.
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If you’re lucky and saved the file as a PDF compatible file (by default), you can try to open it in Acrobat then re-save it. However, if you re-save it, all AI specific features will be lost and you will only have the plain vector work.
You could try opening it in CS5 (download a trial), or you could reinstall AI.
These are the tips I have. If none of them helps, at least you get some hardcore experience to re-create the whole thing. (That’s my idea of having fun…)
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I believe bitmap files have a certain standard as far as how to write out the bitmap header and the data itself. So I doubt that AI would invent and write its own “standard” – so to speak.
The fact that in some software you see it distorted and in others you don’t, leads me to think the opposite. That it’s not AI that generates incorrect bitmap data. It’s how the software that you are using interprets that data. And maybe some interprets it correctly and some don’t.
Just like Internet Exploder 6 was interpreting 24bit transparent PNG files incorrectly. It did not mean that the PNG files were wrong. It was a problem in IE.
If you have Photoshop, create the file there and see what happens. If not, then use the good ol’ Paint – which can also create PNG files. See if you get any other results.
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That’s the way, unless there’s something really un-obvious. Such as your object is way bigger than the artboard. Or you might have a corrupt installation or something is funky about your system or your program.
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Actually it’s quite easy. Refer to the illustration below.
1. Draw the blade outlines (figure 1). Note, that the 3 edges are 3 separate lines (as indicated by the 3 different colors. Do not join them.
2. Use the 2 side lines (red and green) and blend them together (Object > Blend > Make). Use the Blend Options dialog to adjust the steps as necessary. Expand the blend result (figure 2).
3. Make a copy of the blade outlines (as in figure 1) and join all 3 sides to make 1 single shape. Fill the inside white, stroke the outside black.
4. Use the blade created in the previous step (step 3) and composite it with the blended lines, created in step 2. Group the result. This will create a single blade.
5. Use the Rotate Tool to rotate the blade with the Copy option, to make as many rotated blades as needed. (figure 5). Note, in figure 5, that I’ve outlined the last rotated blade with orange, because that blade is special. You will have to create a mask to create the illusion as if that piece halfway behind the first, and halfway on top of the previous blade. (Refer to figure 3 and 4 how to create that mask piece.)
6. The final rotated pieces should look like figure 5. I rotated them 60 degrees to create 6 blades. Also, I created 2 circles and made them a single compound shape. This will serve to mask all the blades out, to arrive to the final shape in figure 6.
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Show an example/photo of what are you trying to create.