Locating objects containing unwanted colours

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

I have some colour swatches in my file that I no longer need. I want to delete them, but when I "select all unused" they are not highlighted.

Is there some kind of "select all objects containing a particular colour" function?

Unfortunately I don't know how to describe this using Illustrator vernacular, so it makes it a bit hard to search the forum and the manual.

Thanks, and please don't kick me in the vernaculars for asking such a noob/Tommo question...

Cheers,

Steven

PS. I'm using CS2

[Bob_W.@adobeforums.com]

Under "Select" ... Same > Fill Color.

You've probably figured this out by now.

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Bob,

Actually I hadn't worked it out - probably never would have, so thanks for pointing it out.

Strangely, I still have an issue with deleting 2 swatches -

I'm using 2 Pantone swatches (519C and 871C). However, 2 other swatches, that I am not using, have appeared in my palette (5135CVC and 519CVC). I cannot delete the swatches, though - I can't drag to the rubbish bin, and the 'Delete Swatch' option in the flyout is greyed out.

Thanks again,

Steven

[JohnLouisville]

This happens all the time when I start prepping the file for final
delivery...stray Pantone colors and/or text objects find their way
into the document. Sometimes the "Same>Fill Color" doesn't find the
stray objects. I first go into Outline mode and visually check for any
stray object which might have the unwanted colors. If I can't find
them that way...I go into what I call "deconstructive mode." I save
the file, then manually start selecting every object..looking at the
colors palette at the same time to find the offending color...Any
object which has a color that belongs gets deleted....By process of
elimination the stray colors will be found...Once I know where they
are...I Revert to Saved and delete the stray objects. .Be careful to
check for unwanted colors in strokes too...sometimes the extraneous
color might be there....Good luck.

[Teri Pettit]

Steven,

Does your document contain any linked images that use spot colors?

Colors used in linked images cannot be deleted, because Illustrator cannot modify the contents of the linked file to remove the color usage, and it needs them in the color list in order to be able to print and separate that image.

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

Hi Teri,

Thanks for replying. I think this is the first time you've replied to one of my questions - it's a shame it's a little question, 'cos I've always wanted to get one of your highly graphical replies to an email of mine....

Anyway, no, the linked images don't have spot colours - they are all simple screenshots, currently in RGB. I have added text layers to some of the images, but just using black, as far as I know.

Is there some way to check the images for spot colours quickly, or do I need to open each image separately to check?

The strange thing is, although the two unwanted swatches are similar hues to one I am using, they are from a different Pantone library (I assume) - I don't even know what the CVC extension means). I certainly don't recall using them in Photoshop, although late nights have a tendency to produce weird results...

As an aside, the file I'm creating is going to be pdf'd, for use on our website. With this in mind, is it correct/incorrect for me to use Pantone Solid Coated colours, which are part of our corporate colour scheme, or should I be using Pantone Solid to Process instead? End users may print it on their bubble/laser printer, but it won't be reproduced professionally.

Thanks,

Steven

[Jacob...@adobeforums.com]

Steven,

I don't even know what the CVC extension means

Hopefully, this is a key. CVC = Computer Video Coated. This corresponds to C = Coated, but shows that the swatch belongs to the pre-2000 Pantone library.

[Stephe...@adobeforums.com]

The last time I was unable to delete a color swatch was when it was used in a symbol or graphic style (can't remember which) contained in an open palette. steve

[Teri Pettit]

Colors that are used inside the definitions of symbols, brushes or graphic styles will not be selected by Select All Unused, because usages inside other palette content is considered a "use", but they can still be deleted if you select them manually and click on the trash can button or drag them onto it. The usages will just be converted to process.

However, Steven said that deletion was disabled when those swatches were selected:

I cannot delete the swatches, though - I can't drag to the rubbish bin,
and the 'Delete Swatch' option in the flyout is greyed out.

The definition of a undeletable color is:

IsAIColorRegistrationColor(color) || IsAIColorNoneColor(color) ||
(color.kind == kCustomColor && sAICustomColor->HasExternalUses(color.c.c.color))

And "HasExternalUses" means that it is used in a linked placed image.

What format are your placed images in?

Is there some way to check the images for spot colours quickly, or do
I need to open each image separately to check?

I don't know of any way to check a specific image for which spot colors it uses totally inside Illustrator if there are other objects in the file.

You could make a new blank Illustrator document and then place the image into it. If new spot colors appear in the Swatches palette, they are used in that image. They will also show up on the Document Inks list in the Output pane of the Print dialog. But that list always shows all the inks used in any printable object in the whole document, so it isn't very good for determining exactly where they are used in a document that contains multiple objects. For that, most people output to PDF with the option to preserve spots, and then use the Separation Preview inside Acrobat.

If the colors do not show up on the Output/Document Inks display of the Print dialog, I wouldn't worry about them being in the Swatches palette.

As for your question:

As an aside, the file I'm creating is going to be pdf'd, for use on our
website. With this in mind, is it correct/incorrect for me to use Pantone
Solid Coated colours, which are part of our corporate colour scheme, or
should I be using Pantone Solid to Process instead? End users may print
it on their bubble/laser printer, but it won't be reproduced professionally.

I would definitely recommend using the Solid to Process library instead of the Pantone Solid library if you do not intend that the PDF really be printed with spot separations.

[bob_w...@adobeforums.com]

In addtion to selecting "same fill colors" you should try selecting "same fill and stroke" colors. Maybe you have a hidden element somewhere (maybe even on the clipboard). As far as the color question: It shouldn't really matter if it is not going to a commercial printer. If it is then you need to have all colors as CMYK (unless of course you are printing 5th and 6th spot colors. Then you would include them too.

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for all the replies!

I haven't included any symbols, brushes or graphic styles in the file, but as Teri mentions, I should still be able to delete the swatches.

The placed images are all RGB .psd files, created in CS2. Is that what you mean by format?

I'll try placing each image into a new .ai file and seeing if the recalcitrant swatches appear - I'll let you know the results either within a few hours, or in a few days, depending on when I can get to it.

How do I check what's on the clipboard, and can I clear it?

Solid to Process it is then, for future non-printing stuff. I guess for those Pantone colours that don't convert well to process (eg. golds, etc) I can always just note the RGB values of the Pantone Coated swatch, even if it is out of gamut for CMYK printing... Sorry, just thinking out loud, in a quiet clicking of the keyboard kind of way.

Thanks again for all your responses. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Steven

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

I've checked all of the placed images and none of them contain either of the swatches.

If, during a moment of madness, I actually did select these two swatches (5135CVC and 519CVC) from a library I don't normally use - is there something else I could have done that causes them to be permanently stuck in my swatches palette?

Teri's comment indicates that it's only a placed file that can prevent swatches being deleted...

Huh?

[Teri Pettit]

Steven,

If you wish, you could email me the file (together with any images it uses) and I will see what I can determine. My email address can be obtained by clicking on my name.

When sending attachments, do NOT zip or otherwise compress them, or Adobe's mail servers will reject them. Just leave the extensions as .ai, .psd, etc.

I don't guarantee to be fast about it, though. Most of my bandwidth is going into CS3.

[Steve...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks for your offer Teri,

These swatches aren't really causing any trouble for me; it's just a strange occurence. However, if you're happy to look at it, I'll send the files through.

The file is designed to allow the creation of 3 separate pdfs. Some layers provide a common framework, while others can be switched on/off to create the different pdfs. This means that as well as a 1MB ai file, I'll also need to send 11MB of psd files.

Alternatively, I could cut out 2 of the 3 sections and only send 3MB of psd files.

Let me know what you'd like me to do and I'll send them through.

You also have to promise not to laugh when you look at my efforts.

Thanks again,

Steven