New to Illustrator - question on working with certain objects

[zachlovescoffee]

Hello!

I am working on some cover art for a Madbeans Pedal Total Recall (EHX Deluxe Memory Man) and using the indicator objects from our friend at Pachyderm Pedals. Because the vector art that I'm using for the Memory Man pedal is a mixture of black and transparent, I'm having a hard time getting the indicator dials to do what I want.

For example, there will be an indicator dial on many parts that are black. Clearly, I cannot "print in white". Rather, only in transparent. Does anyone know of a way to make certain sections of these indicators to be transparent, while keeping the other pieces black? I've attached my Illustrator file for reference.

mission_memory.ai

drive.google.com

Or should I just make my life simple and print in a bright gray like I have on the file now? In this case, I'm likely not sending this to Tayda, I'll just print it on my laser printer using the no film/glue clear slides.

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

For example, there will be an indicator dial on many parts that are black. Clearly, I cannot "print in white". Rather, only in transparent. Does anyone know of a way to make certain sections of these indicators to be transparent, while keeping the other pieces black? I've attached my Illustrator file for reference.

Select your indicators and your background image, and do Pathfinder -> Exclude. You may have to recolor the brain artwork.

 

[temol]

Something like this?

 

[zachlovescoffee]

Something like this?

View attachment 20548

Pretty close. Essentially, if it's part of the dial and it's on black then it needs to print as transparent. If it's black on black then it needs to be transparent

 

[zachlovescoffee]

Select your indicators and your background image, and do Pathfinder -> Exclude. You may have to recolor the brain artwork.

I think I got it by following your advice Wasn't super hard and required some tweaks. Does the text work the same way? It would be nice to have the text sort of "merge" into the black or transparent areas instead of being on top of them. Or, if you have a better suggestion for how to make the text pop, I'm 100% open to it!

Updated file @ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OePs68lcQxI5VJbGmzAMF5gKlND1-bOK/view?usp=sharing

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

I think I got it by following your advice Wasn't super hard and required some tweaks. Does the text work the same way? It would be nice to have the text sort of "merge" into the black or transparent areas instead of being on top of them. Or, if you have a better suggestion for how to make the text pop, I'm 100% open to it!

Updated file @ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OePs68lcQxI5VJbGmzAMF5gKlND1-bOK/view?usp=sharing

Yes, just "create outlines" for the text and it's the same principle. To ease the process, make the text the same color as the artwork you want it removed from, and then you'll just have too change the color of the text after the Exclude command.

If you want the text to be more legible, you can do the Object>Path>Offset Path and TRIM (pathfinder command) that off the background image.

 

[temol]

Just for the information - in my example I've played with a blending modes. You can find blending modes in Transparency panel (window - transparency). Normal is the default blending mode, changed it to Exclusion.
Pathfinder method works ok, but it's not very flexible.

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

Just for the information - in my example I've played with a blending modes. You can find blending modes in Transparency panel (window - transparency). Normal is the default blending mode, changed it to Exclusion.
Pathfinder method works ok, but it's not very flexible.

Do you have experience with UV printing with the blending modes?
Just asking because I never tried and was a bit wary of the result. Same thing with the opacity mask...

 

[temol]

I don't have any experience with UV printing at all. But, if possible, I like to make my graphic projects reversible.

 

[adamsanders]

Hey!

To achieve transparency in certain sections of your indicators in Illustrator, you can use the "Opacity Mask" feature. Select the area you want transparent, apply a mask, and adjust opacity.

Hope it helps!