Source image by Visual Generation
Our system validates files for a number of technical requirements at upload. If you received an Inaccessible Vector Objects error, it is because of one or more of the following issues:
Unexpanded Objects
All objects in your vector file must be expanded in order to ensure every element of a vector file is fully and readily accessible to a customer.
When a vector file contains unexpanded objects this hinders the customer’s ability to easily access everything in the file they purchased.
Every element of a vector file must be easily accessible when a customer first opens a file, eliminating the need for the customer to do additional work to expand objects in order to edit them.
Unacceptable Example: Unexpanded Pattern Fills
In the below example, the heart pattern background is visible in the vector preview (left), but not visible when viewed in outline mode (right). This indicates the heart pattern is an unexpanded pattern fill, which is not easily selectable or editable to a customer using the file.
How to Expand Pattern Fills in Adobe Illustrator:
Select the object with the pattern fill
On the menu bar, select Object > Expand
“Expand” dialogue box will pop up
Make sure that “Fill” is checked
Click OK
Acceptable Example: Expanded Pattern Fills
In the below example, the pattern fill is not visible in outline mode because it was not expanded (left), but is visible in outline mode after being expanded (right). The expanded pattern will be more easily selectable and editable for a customer. The unexpanded vector on the left is not acceptable. The fully expanded vector on the right is acceptable.
Unacceptable Example: Unexpanded Brushes/Effects
When a customer purchases a vector file containing unexpanded brushes or objects with effects from third-party extensions/plugins, the customer will not be able to easily edit these unexpanded objects.
In the case of unexpanded objects that have applied effects from third-party extensions/plug-ins, the customer will not be able to select or edit these objects without having the plugins installed.
Since we cannot be sure customers will have the specific extensions or plugins necessary to edit these effects, we require all objects with applied effects from third-party extensions/plugins to be expanded.
Expanding these objects will ensure the customer does not need any additional third-party software to fully access everything in the vector file they have purchased.
How to Expand Brushes/Effects in Adobe Illustrator:
Select the unexpanded brush or the object/s with the unexpanded effect
On the menu bar, select Object > Expand Appearance
Acceptable Example: Expanded Brushes/Effects
The below example shows a brush stroke that was expanded. Now, all the individual pieces that make up the object are easily selected and edited by a customer.
Locked Layers
All elements of your vector file must be unlocked in order to ensure all elements of a vector image are fully accessible to a customer
If your vector file is saved with layers that are locked (any main layer or sublayers), this can be confusing to a customer, who is expecting everything in the file they purchased to be fully accessible when they first open the file.
To ensure the customer has complete access to all vector objects in your file, your file must be saved with all layers unlocked.
How to Unlock Layers in Adobe Illustrator:
Select all elements (Windows: Ctrl +A / Mac: Command +A) then, in the menu bar, select Object > Unlock All.
Please note: Unlocking the main layers will not unlock their nested sublayers.
We Recommend
Before submitting a vector file, ask yourself:
Are all the elements of my vector expanded? To double check in Adobe Illustrator, select all elements (Windows: Ctrl +A / Mac: Command +A), then go to Objects, and select Expand.
Are all layers, including sublayers, unlocked? To double check in Adobe Illustrator, select all elements (Command/Ctrl+A), then Show all Selections (Windows: Alt + Ctrl + 3 / Mac: Option + Command + 3) Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
(may not be available in all supported languages)
If you don’t understand the reason for the rejection of your images or if you need additional clarification, you can always contact contributor support.