Ghost layers in Illustrator

[Huntly Cutten]

I'm having a problem with some diagrams I have prepared in Illustrator for journal publication. The completed image in illustrator appears fine, but when printed, a large block filled with one of the patterns I have used appears over the the top of the diagram. The block is transparent except for the pattern, so the image appears beneath it. I have searched my layers and can find no layer containing this block. Any ideas about the cause of this problem and its removal would be appreciated.
Cheers
Huntly

[AdobeAce]

Hi Huntly Cutten,

Welcome to the Layers Forum!

It's impossible to tell what's going on without seeing the actual Illustrator file.

If you'd like me to take a look, email it to me. You'll find my email address under my Public Profile.

Ace

:D

[The Repro Kid]

Sometimes hidden objects print.

Have you tried doing a Show ALL?

[hcutten]

Hi,
'Show all' in what software ? Everything looks fine in illustrator, and I save the file in .eps format. If I view this with GSView 4.7 and print from this, I see the ghost effect. I have noticed that as the image 'builds' in GSView the ghost layer appears as a intermediate image then is overprinted by the full image. Thanks

[The Repro Kid]

Not quite sure what GSView is. It may not be able to handle a lot patterns. Patterns used to be notorious for causing printing overloads.

Here's where you can find show all. But you created the drawing so I guess you'd know if you've hidden anything.

[AdobeAce]

Hi Huntly,

Thanks for sending the file. Unfortunately I could not find a problem. It opens in Illustrator CS2 and prints beautifully on my laser printer with no ghosting whatsoever.

It think the problem may have to do with the way GSView 4.7 is interpreting the pattern. Sounds like the edge of your object is ghosting instead masking the pattern outside of the shape that it's filling.

Have you tried saving the file as a PDF instead of EPS, before opening it in GSView? I don't know it it will help, but it's worth a shot. You might also try expanding the object (Object > Expand) to see it helps (but be sure to save your file with a different name before trying this).

Oh, and as Repro said, Patterns have been known to cause major printing problems. That's why I suggested Expanding the offending object. When it comes to misinterpretation, it's impossible to say what might work.

Hope this helps!

Ace