Transparency flattener options

You can set the following options in Transparency Flattener Preset Options dialog box, the Flatten Transparency dialog box, and the Flattener Preview palette:

Name

Specifies the name of the preset. Depending on the dialog box, you can type a name in the Name text box or accept the default. You can enter the name of an existing preset to edit that preset. However, you can't edit the default presets.

Raster/Vector balance

Specifies the amount of rasterization. The higher the setting, the less rasterization is performed on artwork. Select the highest setting to keep as much artwork as possible vector data; select the lowest setting to rasterize all the artwork.

Line Art and Text Resolution

Specifies the resolution for vector objects rasterized as a result of flattening.

Gradient and Mesh Resolution

Specifies the resolution for gradients and mesh objects rasterized as a result of flattening.

For both Line Art and Text Resolution and Gradient and Mesh Color Resolution, the Flatness setting affects the precision of intersections when flattening. (See Approximating curved paths.) In most cases, a value of 300 is sufficient for line art and text, and a value of 150 is sufficient for gradients and gradient meshes. However, if small fonts or fine objects will be rasterized or if the output is a high-quality print, higher values (600 ppi or more) are necessary. Using very high values is not recommended because it can degrade performance without noticeably improving the quality of the artwork.

Convert All Text to Outlines

Converts all type objects (point type, area type, and path type) to outlines and discards all type glyph information. This option ensures that the width of text stays consistent during flattening. Note that enabling this option will cause small fonts to appear slightly thicker.

Convert All Strokes to Outlines

Converts all strokes to simple filled paths. This option ensures that the width of strokes stays consistent during flattening. Note that enabling this option will cause thin strokes to appear slightly thicker.

Clip Complex Regions

Ensures that the boundaries between vector artwork and rasterized artwork fall along object paths. Selecting this option reduces stitching artifacts that result when part of an object is rasterized while another part of the object remains in vector form. However, selecting this option may result in paths that are too complex for the printer to handle.


Stitching, where rasters and vectors meet

Note: Some print drivers process raster and vector art differently, and this can also result in color stitching. You may be able to minimize stitching problems by disabling some print-driver specific color-management settings. Because these settings vary with each printer, see the documentation that came with your printer.

Select Preserve Alpha Transparency (Flatten Transparency dialog box only)

Preserves the overall opacity of flattened objects. With this option, as when you rasterize artwork using a transparent background, blending modes and overprints are lost but their appearance is retained within the processed artwork, along with the level of alpha transparency. Preserve Alpha Transparency can be useful if you are exporting to SWF or SVG, since both of these formats support alpha transparency.

Select Preserve Spot Colors and Overprints (Flatten Transparency dialog box only)

Generally preserves spot colors. It also preserves overprinting for objects that are not involved in transparency.

Select this option if you are printing separations and the document contains spot colors and overprinted objects.

Deselect this option when saving files for use in page-layout applications. With this option selected, overprinted areas that interact with transparency are flattened, while overprinting in other areas is preserved. The results are unpredictable when the file is output from a page-layout application.