Import Illustrator layers as layers
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
Import Illustrator layers as layers
I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory.
I can help you with that second part.
A long time ago when I use to use Illustrator import (not so much at all now) I put a "bounding box" around the different AI files so they all came in at the same size.
I would then delete that box in AS after import.
For instance, I had a character with many parts for different layers. I saved out each part as a different AI file with the exact "box" shape to define the position and size.
When importing, that box was the largest part of the file and always the same for each part. It forces AS to import each file exactly the same size and the same position. This great for bringing in separate body parts into layers.
After importing just delete that bounding box. If you keep an AI file with that bounding box on a separate layer for each object to import it works great.
I drew the files in Illustrator specifically for AS. Each body part in Illustrator would be on it's own layer. I would turn off all the layers except one part and the "box" layer, copy all and paste to a "temp" AI file. Save it and import into AS. Go back and repeat for each AI layer with the same "temp" file open in AI... just delete the still selected shapes in the temp file and paste the new.
Or you could save out each part as a separate file but this was more work.
I agree it would be nice if AS had AI layer support.
But this was a quick workaround for me at the time.
-vern
A long time ago when I use to use Illustrator import (not so much at all now) I put a "bounding box" around the different AI files so they all came in at the same size.
I would then delete that box in AS after import.
For instance, I had a character with many parts for different layers. I saved out each part as a different AI file with the exact "box" shape to define the position and size.
When importing, that box was the largest part of the file and always the same for each part. It forces AS to import each file exactly the same size and the same position. This great for bringing in separate body parts into layers.
After importing just delete that bounding box. If you keep an AI file with that bounding box on a separate layer for each object to import it works great.
I drew the files in Illustrator specifically for AS. Each body part in Illustrator would be on it's own layer. I would turn off all the layers except one part and the "box" layer, copy all and paste to a "temp" AI file. Save it and import into AS. Go back and repeat for each AI layer with the same "temp" file open in AI... just delete the still selected shapes in the temp file and paste the new.
Or you could save out each part as a separate file but this was more work.
I agree it would be nice if AS had AI layer support.
But this was a quick workaround for me at the time.
-vern
Thanks. I already use a box for import, but it still creates a lot of practical problems. I also have to export back into illustrator, you see. I don't just use my bounding box for importing stuff into Moho, I also then use it to get it back into illustrator (via Flash as SWF) at the right size.
It's a long winded process I'm not going to bother explaining here. The short version of the story is that it would be nice to have:
A. Layered import
B. Consistent sizing on import and export
C. ...and while we're at it, illustrator export.
It's a long winded process I'm not going to bother explaining here. The short version of the story is that it would be nice to have:
A. Layered import
B. Consistent sizing on import and export
C. ...and while we're at it, illustrator export.
I agree with AI export.
I use AS for still image illustration now as well as animation. I often long for AI or EPS export. I have used the Flash path for this but I have trouble with stroke and shape integrity (Flash does odd things with my tapered stroke widths).
Even a print function would be excellent... as long as it supports postscript printing. A postscript printing could be saved as PDF which opens in AI.
You don't have to explain if it's too much trouble... I am just a little confused why you need to go back to AI format from AS. If the file starts as Illustrator why not do what you need there?
From my point of view it makes sense. I like drawing in AS much better than Illustrator, I would only use the conversion in one direction though.
-vern
I use AS for still image illustration now as well as animation. I often long for AI or EPS export. I have used the Flash path for this but I have trouble with stroke and shape integrity (Flash does odd things with my tapered stroke widths).
Even a print function would be excellent... as long as it supports postscript printing. A postscript printing could be saved as PDF which opens in AI.
You don't have to explain if it's too much trouble... I am just a little confused why you need to go back to AI format from AS. If the file starts as Illustrator why not do what you need there?
From my point of view it makes sense. I like drawing in AS much better than Illustrator, I would only use the conversion in one direction though.
-vern
All I can say is that it's part of my workflow.heyvern wrote:You don't have to explain if it's too much trouble... I am just a little confused why you need to go back to AI format from AS. If the file starts as Illustrator why not do what you need there?
Part of being a professional animator is putting up with pipelines that are not always beneficial for you as an individual. It's what suits the workflow for the entire studio that counts. I'm just shoehorning Moho in the whole process by my own choosing. The result is a very awkward workaround.
I know I'm a bit vague, but if I go into more detail, it would become too easy to google this post. Just avoiding some nosey people.