Illustrator files not importing in Harmony 22

[creativedragon]

Hello! When I export Illustrator files (in CS2) into Toon Boom with the same resolution as the Harmony file into the Library, and when I drag them either to the timeline or Camera view, nothing happens. I have experimented both with simple shapes in few layers and multiple shapes in several layers (with seven as maximum), but none of them work.

In fact, when searching to import, none of the Illustrator files appear to select; I had to write the file names to select them (it only appears to support SWF files only, since .ai and .pdf files seem absent). While successfully importing them, the file does not even appear in Library preview. I followed multiple tutorials, but none seem to work. What are the missing steps for Illustrator files to appear visible in Toon Boom? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DigitalDesignDude]

This has been a known issue since Harmony Version 22.0.2 and hopefully the fix for it will be implemented soon as mentioned below:

No longer a .AI import option?

Greetings! MEL from Toon Boom here! Harmony version 22.0.2 currently has a known issue with the PDF export. The issue has been fixed and the feature will be available in the future version patches! It was not an intentional removal of the feature, worry not. In the meantime, as a temporary workaround, you can either: use 22.0.1 to make your imports OR You can also contact our support team at desk@toonboom.com they might be able to give you a temporary fix in the meantime th…

In the meantime, you can use Harmony Version 22.0.1 instead to import illustrator files as that still works.

You might also be interested in knowing about this limitation when it comes to importing Illustrator files which I hope will be improved on in the future as well:

Import Illustrator and PDF Files with Proper Resolution

By default when you import PDF or Illustrator files into Harmony, they are converted into Harmony library template files with a scene resolution of 720x540 (i.e. a 4x3 aspect ratio) regardless of the resolution and aspect ratio of the original PDF or Illustrator file. For confirmation, you can see the video below which demonstrates this. [Toon Boom Import Illustrator Files Scaling Issue Part 2] This is not ideal as it causes artwork wider or taller than 4x3 such as 16x9 to be scale…

[creativedragon]

Hello @DigitalDesignDude ! I used an older Toon Boom version (I do not have 22.0.1), and it worked! While the file successfully exported with a 1080p resolution, I will check exporting files in 4x3 ratio if any deformations occur. Regardless, thank you for the info!

[e.movahedy]

Hello
I’m using version 22.0.3 and it doesn’t seem to be fixed yet.
Harmony still does not import Illustrator files.
The next point is that going back to previous versions is risky, especially when you are in the middle of a project.

[DigitalDesignDude]

Yes, unfortunately, it hasn’t been fixed yet and I look forward to when it will be.

If you aren’t able to wait for that, you might want to consider reaching out to the support team at desk@toonboom.com like Mel mentioned in that earlier post I shared.

[creativedragon]

Since you are in the middle of a project, you may export the Illustrator files as SWF and import them into Toon Boom. It divides almost everything (if not everything) into their own layers, prompting the creation of a group for them. Another option would be importing the Illustrator files as PNG, but they would appear pixelated.

If you have not worked in some scenes yet and need Illustrator files in them, it would be better working in an earlier Toon Boom version, at least until the issue has been solved for the software’s next version. Hope this helps.