Resolving conflicts between overlapping bleeds in layouts in Illustrator

Sometimes, when you have created a production-ready layout files, you find that the bleeds on adjacent panels in the layout carry different graphics. Such zones of graphics conflict most often include:

In such cases, you must decide which bleed to use in the final production file. Learn how to resolve conflicts of overlapping graphics bleeds.

Step 1: Loading the EngView Layout Conflicts panel

  1. You resolve zones of conflicting graphics bleeds in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel. To load this panel, in Illustrator, on the Window menu, point to EngView, and then select Layout Conflicts.

TIP: If you expect to be resolving this sort of bleeds conflicts often, update your current work environment to include this panel. This will ensure that it will appear each time you use the EngView/Illustrator integration.

Step 2: Creating layout

  1. In Illustrator, add the artwork to your drawing.
  2. When done, switch to EngView to create the layout file.

HINT: You can create multiple layouts from the same drawing.

  1. In EngView, when you have created the layout file, save it, and close it. Then switch back to Illustrator.
  2. In the Step & Repeat panel, select the layout that you want to use for the production file.
  3. Click the Generate bleed by offset option, and type a value for the bleed.
  4. Click Generate Front Layout Generate Front Layer Button or Generate Rear Layout as your situation requires.
  5. In the Illustrator document window, inspect the resultant layout for zones of bleed conflict that will need resolving.

Step 3: Resolving conflicts of overlapping graphics bleeds

Illustrator indicates the zones of conflicting bleeds by (1) labels in the document window and (2) grouped lists in the EngView Conflict Layout panel. Across the layout, identical zones of bleed conflict are grouped and numbered. In the example that follows, there are four types of conflicts, number 1 to 4. Consequently, the EngView Layout Conflicts table lists four groups.

Bleed Conflicts

The first number indicates the conflict type; the second indicates the consecutive number of the zone where the conflict appears.

You resolve the zones of bleed conflicts by (1) inspecting them in the Illustrator document window, and then (2) choosing the resolution in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel. You can resolve conflicts:

Learn how to resolve bleed conflicts.

Resolving all bleed conflicts in a group in one go

  1. Decide which group you want to start with, and then, in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel, click the circle across the group's name.
Click Circle Across Group Name

When you click a group's circle, the following occurs:

In the document window:

In the EngView Layout Conflicts panel:

Conflict Zones Highlighted in Document Window and Panel

Group 1 is selected in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel and is therefore highlighted in red in document window. The conflict is still not resolved. That is why, (1) the Unresolved Conflict button is selected by default, the buttons 1 and 2 are available and (2) there are red squares at the beginning of the row.

A Conflict Zone With Multiple Overlapping Bleeds

Three bleeds overlap in conflict zone 3. Group 3.1 is selected in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel and is therefore highlighted in red in document window. Because more than two bleeds are in conflict, buttons 1 and 2 are unavailable. The List of Solutions button is available, offering solutions.

  1. As all the zones of bleed conflict in a group are identical, it is enough to inspect only one of them in the document window. Click Zoom Selected Zoom Selected Button to go to the conflict zone and inspect it (pictured).
Conflict Zone as Shown in the Document Window

Conflict zone 1.1 marked in white, behind the numbering label, is still not resolved (the Unresolved Conflict button is available). Resolving the bleed conflict means choosing which artwork will cover the entire conflict zone area.

You have two solutions:

  1. In the EngView Layout Conflicts panel, consider your situation:
    • For zones where two bleeds overlap, toggle between the Solution 1 The Solution 1 Button and Solution 2 The Solution 2 Button options and inspect their effects in the document window. Then click the one that you want.
Conflict Zone as Shown in the Document Window

Solution 1 is on the left; Solution 2 is on the right.

  • For zones where more than two bleeds overlap, click List of Solutions The List Solutions Button and then, in the list of solutions that appears, click the one that resolves the conflict in the way you want.

    • After you have clicked a conflict resolution solution, the integration applies it across the group. Notice that in the EngView Layout Conflicts panel the red squares in front of the group's name and zones disappear.

    TIP: After you have resolved the bleed conflict zones in a group, collapse the group to avoid any visual clutter or inadvertent clicks in the group. To collapse an open group, click the down arrow in front of the group's name.

    Resolving individual bleed conflicts

    Apart from resolving bleeds conflicts in batches, you can resolve also individual bleed conflict zones in a group. In the picture below, the conflict zone 2.1 is the only one in its group that has been resolved.

    Conflict Zone as Shown in the Document Window

    In Group 2, bleed conflict zone 2.1 has been resolved; zone 2.2 is unresolved.

    1. Click the right-pointing arrow in front of a group's name to open the group.
    2. In the list, locate the bleed conflict zone number, and click the circle across its number. This activates the conflict zone and highlights it in the document window.
    3. Use the Zoom Selected Zoom Selected Button button to zoom directly into the conflict zone and inspect it.
    4. Toggle between Solution 1 Solution 1 Button and Solution 2 Solution 2 Button to choose a resolution technique for the zone. For a zone with more than two bleed conflicts, use the List of Solutions List Solutions Button. After you have applied a resolution, the red square in front of the zone number disappears.