Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

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gigabeard
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 5:36 pm

Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by gigabeard »

I am trying to build an action that converts all 100 K objects to a spot swatch, and ignore K objects less than 100.

The problem is Pitstop selects 100 K objects, regardless of their constant alpha. For example, we have a file built in Illustrator with a square that is 100% K, but the opacity of the object is 50%. The object will only print 50% K, but Pitstop detects it as 100% K.

I have some test files, but I'm having a difficult time attaching them to the post, the AI file is less than 800KB but still won't upload.

Please refer to the attached PNG file. This is a screenshot of Acrobat's built-in Preflight Profile "List transparent objects." You can see that Acrobat detected a "constant alpha" on the fill that is less than 1.0. My test file contains two squares that are detected as having constant alphas less than 1.0: one with 100K and 50% opacity, the other 100K with 37% opacity.

It is possible to detect these objects with Acrobat's built-in tools, but I don't know how to detect the constant alpha of objects with Pitstop. The closest I have gotten is "Select objects that have a clipping path," which selects the proper squares... but I don't know how to select the content within the clipping paths, or check if the clipping path has a constant alpha less than 1.0.


Any ideas on how to detect constant alpha less than 1.0? Or any other suggestions?
Attachments
TransparencyTester.png
TransparencyTester.png (159.38 KiB) Viewed 6510 times
abailescollins
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Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:28 pm

Re: Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by abailescollins »

Here's one to have a play with.
it combines 100% K, alpha modes and blend modes, all of which would effect the 100% K
you can of course adjust the error message as well.

This is setup for fills, but a similar one should also be added for strokes.
Attachments
100% Black Check.eal.zip
(2.5 KiB) Downloaded 457 times
Head of Product Management @ Ultimate
abc@imposition.com
gigabeard
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Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 5:36 pm

Re: Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by gigabeard »

abailescollins wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 2:26 pm Here's one to have a play with.
it combines 100% K, alpha modes and blend modes, all of which would effect the 100% K
you can of course adjust the error message as well.

This is setup for fills, but a similar one should also be added for strokes.
Thank you for the reply. I tested this, but it did not work as expected. Is there any way I can get my test files to you so you can see for yourself?
abailescollins
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Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:28 pm

Re: Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by abailescollins »

Can you mail them?
andrewb@enfocus.com
Head of Product Management @ Ultimate
abc@imposition.com
gigabeard
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Re: Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by gigabeard »

Email sent!
abailescollins
Advanced member
Posts: 458
Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:28 pm

Re: Ignore objects with constant alpha less than 1.0

Post by abailescollins »

Sent you an Action List to try.
Head of Product Management @ Ultimate
abc@imposition.com
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