Last Updated: May 6, 2026
TRIM & SYMBOL INTEGRATION
Overview
In this video, you will learn how to update the client approval sheet overlay so that thread details display correctly in a 4-up layout with front and back views in both dark and light mockups. You will see how to switch the symbols to the 4-up configuration, turn on the thread layers, and then copy the technical sketch line art into the thread technical sketch layers for the primary front and back views.
The video also shows you how to correct white-thread artwork when brush settings limit color changes. You will follow the steps to expand the strokes to convert them into editable shapes, ungroup and remove any extra lines, and then apply the correct thread color so the threads read clearly on both light and dark backgrounds.
STEP-by-STep guide
1. Switch the approval sheet to the correct layout 0:09
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Open the client approval sheet.
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Confirm whether the design needs:
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2-up: front and back only
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4-up: front/back plus dark/light versions for reversible items
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Use the Symbols dropdown/pane to switch to the 4-up design.
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Let the layout auto-reformat so the artwork stays aligned without manual repositioning.
2. Turn on and reposition the thread elements for the 4-up layout 0:57
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After switching to 4-up, the sheet will look incomplete because the threads are not in the correct place.
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Turn the threads on.
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If this were still a 2-up layout, the threads would already be positioned correctly.
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For 4-up, the thread artwork must be adjusted manually so it matches the new layout.
3. Copy the 4-up line art into the thread symbol 2:00
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Double-click into the 4-up symbol.
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Select all four line art elements.
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Copy them.
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Double-click into the threads symbol.
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Unlock the symbol if needed.
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Paste the copied line art into the technical sketch area.
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Move the copied artwork into the correct sections:
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Primary/fronts
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Backs
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Fronts
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Remove any extra or incorrect line art so the thread symbol matches the 4-up structure.
4. Update the white thread version separately 3:28
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Switch the thread artwork to the white version.
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Double-click into the white thread symbol.
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You’ll see separate sections such as:
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Editable file
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Outlines
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Delete the unwanted outline elements.
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Keep the editable front/back pieces and reassign them as needed.
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If necessary, paste from the clipboard again to restore the correct front/back thread pieces.
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Change the front/back pieces to the proper thread color setup.
5. Clone the thread artwork into the correct layers 4:35
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Bring the thread artwork into the correct layer structure.
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Clone the thread elements into the front layer and back layer as needed.
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Turn off the editable portion if it is no longer needed.
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In the outlines section, break apart the artwork so the thread can be isolated from the technical sketch.
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Remove any leftover technical sketch pieces so only the thread remains visible.
6. Expand the thread artwork so it can be recolored 5:37
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The thread brush may be locked to a color such as black.
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If it will not change directly to white, you need to convert it first.
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Use Expand repeatedly until there is no stroke left.
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Once the artwork is expanded into outlines, it can be recolored properly.
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This step is necessary to make the thread display as the intended visible thread color.
7. Clean up stray paths or hidden lines 6:57
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Zoom in and inspect the thread artwork for any unwanted lines.
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If you see a strange line or path:
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Ungroup the artwork
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Break apart compound paths if needed
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Delete the stray line/path
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Repeat this cleanup until the thread artwork is solid and clean.
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This prevents unexpected artifacts from showing in the final approval sheet.
8. Verify the thread color by testing against a background 8:32
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Place a background color underneath the thread artwork to confirm the result.
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Example checks:
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Red background should show white thread lines
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Black background should show black thread lines
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Use this test to confirm the visible thread color is behaving correctly.
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Once verified, the thread setup for the client approval sheet is complete.
9. Finish the approval sheet setup and prepare for handoff 9:44
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Confirm the 2D client approval sheet and visible thread color are set correctly.
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This is the final setup stage before handoff.
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The next step is to notify the appropriate team so they can begin building from the approved file.
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A separate final handoff video will cover that last step.