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Goldbär10
Participating Frequently
November 2, 2017
Answered

White lines in Illustrator and exported PDF

  • November 2, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 20377 views

Hi Guys,

I know that this topic has been discussed before, I've read every single thread.

But I still haven't managed to fix the problem.

When I receive ai. or eps. files from graphic designers, I often see these strange white lines when opened in Illustrator.

I guess these are paths from the different shapes, who've become visible somehow. But how do I get rid of them?

They're still there when I export to PDF or any other Format. And it's not just my display, the lines also show up when it comes to printing.

I've attached some screenshots from Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat.

Can anybody help me with this?

Cheers,

Olivier

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

Okay, this might explain some issues.

The lines are still visible on the original AI files, same for the PDF. But at least they disappear on the print now.

I also found a way to get rid of the lines in the PDF. Just go to preferences --> page display and disable smooth line art.

But in the end it doesn't affect the print.

My problem may be partially solved for this project, but there's still no final answer to the question from where those lines even come from originally.


As Mike already wrote: Anti-aliasing artifacts.

Anti-aliasing happens because objects in your file got flattened due to transparency. And it not only got flattened, but it got rasterized in the process.

Please learn about transparency.

There's a PDF available for download. Unfortunately it's not available on Adobe's servers. You can find it by searching for "Adobe transparency for designers pdf"

A couple of websites reposted it. Please read it.

4 replies

seamartin1247
seamartin1247
Inspiring
October 31, 2019

TRY THIS easy work around. It works for me all the time.

Open your .AI file and create a new layer.

Copy your entire image and paste it in the new layer. (so in effect you have your complete image paced on top of itself.

Save a copy of your AI as a PDF - 

View digitally and there will be NO THIN LINES!

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 31, 2019

And then put that thing into a layout and have InDesign deal with it and crash 5 times in a row while writing a PDF?

seamartin1247
seamartin1247
Inspiring
October 31, 2019

If your system is so slow it crashes InDesign, that's a different problem altogether ...

 

Many users want a digital PDF without lines ... my simple method sorts this for those who need a quick solution. 

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 3, 2017

    Hard to say exactly as this appears to be some embedded bitmapped images with anti aliasing issues along  where they meet, can you please post a file we can evaluate for more information as to the files construction.

    Could also be:

    Make your doucument raster effects settings to a larger number here.

    If you have spot colors in your document convert to spot colors to help in your printing to a CMYK printer.

    G
    Goldbär10Author
    Participating Frequently
    November 6, 2017

    Hi Mike,

    I tried what you suggested, hasn't resolved the problem though :-(

    And I wasn't able to do the convert to spot colors thing, that option isn't available. May be the printer...

    Thanks anyway

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 6, 2017

    Either those people are sending you flattened files or you have an older Illustrator version than they do and this happens on opening the files.

    Which version do you have?

    Have you asked them how they save the files? What they do with their files before sending?

    Srishti Bali
    Community Manager
    Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    November 3, 2017

    Hi Goldbär,

    This looks like an issue with some specific files. Would you mind sharing one sample Ai file with PDF?

    Regards

    Srishti

    G
    Goldbär10Author
    Participating Frequently
    November 6, 2017

    Hello Srishti,

    You can take a look at the AI and PDF here: https://we.tl/3AC8IbTJ7Q

    Regards,

    Goldbär

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 3, 2017

    Please show the outline view.

    G
    Goldbär10Author
    Participating Frequently
    November 6, 2017

    Hi Monika

    Here's a screenshot of the outline view.

    Does that help?

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