Adobe Illustrator help [SOLVED]

Heatwave

I've been trying to make one of those Inspirational Vector Political Posters but to do it I need make a pattern and drag it into the swatch palete for later use. Making the pattern isn't the problem, it's trying move into the swatche palette is what's causing me trouble. I can move the components individually but whenever I select them as a group the new swatch icon become unavailable. What do I have to do keep the new swatch icon available? I'm using CS3 btw.

Szechuanosaurus

Have you tried using Edit > Define Pattern

(select all pattern elements, then go to the Edit drop down menu and choose Define Pattern...).

Heatwave

Yeah I've tried that but it always comes up with this "Patterns cannot contain anything painted with a pattern" BS. So frustrating...

Szechuanosaurus

Hmm. I wonder if you can explode the patterns that you've used - split them up into individual vectors again. I'll have a look when I'm back at my computer.

Heatwave

I uploaded the file if you want to take a look

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?tmzodlztwez

Rhaven

I took a look at your file - your pattern isn't that complex so you should be able to just use regular old colour swatches to build your pattern (not the pattern swatches you're using now) and then you should have no problem using Edit > Define Pattern. Or you can individually click on each stripe in what you've got now and Object > Expand. That seemed to work ok for me.

Heatwave

I only now realize what Szechuanosaurus meant in regards to exploding the pattern. A full day later. Three hours after I made a reply. And now it's working.

WHY. MUST. I. FAIL. SO. HARD?!

So by sacrificing the two colors used in the palette I can put the pattern in there instead and pull them out use use later. Seriously, why am I so stupid? It ridiculous.

Anyway, thanks for the replies you guys. I probably wouldn't have been able to figure it out without your help.