8 replies to this topic

[Mike H]

I have a file in arc with lots of point symbols. Trying to find an export workflow to retain them as either an editable font or polygon in Illy. Current attempts have resulted in non-editable font-like symbols, such as question marks or exclamation points, but not editable...

what is the best choice using Arc's Symbol Selector to end up with a useable polygon (or font) in Illy?

m.

[Matthew Hampton]

In Arc export to AI under Options/Format select "Convert Marker Symbols to Polygons"

This will turn the symbols into vector polygons.

[Martin Gamache]

There is a workaround if you still have a copy of Freehand kicking around. Just use the find and replace graphic on that layer. Use a simple point symbol in ARC that will have a clear center. Then bring it back into Illustrator. We can only hope future versions of illustrator will cannibalize FH's best functionality...

I'm assuming you've checked the convert symbol font to object option when exporting? Wonder why it is not working?

mg

[DaveB]

I have a file in arc with lots of point symbols.  Trying to find an export workflow to retain them as either an editable font or polygon in Illy.  Current attempts have resulted in non-editable font-like symbols, such as question marks or exclamation points, but not editable... 

what is the best choice using Arc's Symbol Selector to end up with a useable polygon (or font) in Illy? What font are the marker's characters coming from originally?

m.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What version of "arc"? What version of "Illy"?

I just tried exporting a simple map with character marker symbols from ArcGIS Desktop 9.1 to an ai file. When I opened it in CS2 I got a message saying the "text" was created in an older version of AI so I had to convert/update to be able to edit it. Once updated and opend the marker symbols showed up correctly. And once I released the clipping mask I could edit the individual symbols as font characters. I believe you will need to have the marker fonts installed on the machine that you open the ai file on, otherwise it subsitutes the font (which is why you see things like question marks, etc. in place of your markers).

The other option when exporting from ArcMap is to convert the fonts to polygons. That worked for me, too.

[Mike H]

thanks guys! It was a little of everything you all mentioned... lack of compatable fonts, not realizing I had to release from clipping path... and no, in fact I didn't have the 'Convert Marker Symbols to Polygons' checked...

Now all is good, layers all exported as polygons and seem be happy in IllyLand.

m.

[margaret]

There is a workaround if you still have a copy of Freehand kicking around. Just use the find and replace graphic on that layer. Use a simple point symbol in ARC that will have a clear center. Then bring it back into Illustrator. We can only hope future versions of illustrator will cannibalize FH's best functionality...
mg

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you can run find and replace in an AI file by opening it from inside a text editor, and running find and replace in the postscript language.

[Martin Gamache]

There is a workaround if you still have a copy of Freehand kicking around. Just use the find and replace graphic on that layer. Use a simple point symbol in ARC that will have a clear center. Then bring it back into Illustrator. We can only hope future versions of illustrator will cannibalize FH's best functionality...
mg

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you can run find and replace in an AI file by opening it from inside a text editor, and running find and replace in the postscript language.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless you've used FH's Graphic Find and replace you probably dont know what I mean. It is sligthly more versatile than just a text find and replace...

But regardless I dont know if you can even still open new Illustrator files with a text editor. My experience has shown only garbled commands rather than the postscript of old.

BTW We never did find out if Mr. Herm just forgot to check the appropriate box on export?

[margaret]

you're right Martin I'm not a Freehand user, so don't know what that is all about. but we did use to solve the symbol problem when exporting files from ArcView to AI back in the day by fixing them in a text editor. it's very entertaining!

[Mike H]

[quote=
BTW We never did find out if Mr. Herm just forgot to check the appropriate box on export?
[/quote]


yes, among other oversights, the core problem was a missed checkbox... I'm usually a very good trained monkey concerning these things, but time away from Arc has softened the brain. The next month will be Arc-intensive so I may be back with more mind-benders for you.

In addition to the RTFM approach, I picked up the book Getting to Know ArcGis Desktop. But now I have to read it...

m.