Applying Stroke around Text in a Live Text Box - Two Different Results on two different computers

[lpermjardin]

Hey there Adobe Support Community, I'm currently trying to show a junior designer how to apply a stroke around a typeface in a live text box - we need the text box to remain editable so we are not outlining the paths before applying the stroke. On my machine, I'm able to add a stroke around a Live Text Box without any issues. However, on my junior's machine, when she adds a stroke around the text in a Live Text Box with exactly the same settings as I've used, she gets gets a strange result that I've never encountered before (sreenshot attached to show a comparison between the two.) We are both using the same Font and are using the same version of Illustrator on two different Creative Cloud accounts.

I've found a temporary work around for now, she can fix this by using the Effect > Pathfinder > Add function. However I'm wondering if there's any Illustrator Settings or Preferences we should be changing on her machine so that she doesn't have to use the Effect > Pathfinder > Add function work around every time. I'm able to just add a stroke to the text without using this work around. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

This is usually because of differences in how the outlines are defined within a font. I've been seeing some using overlaps while they SHOULD be using compound paths to eliminate this issue. Illustrator is honouring how they were made.

I know you say you are using the same font, but did you each get the font from the same place and/or reputable vendor?

What are your respective systems?

And, what's the font and where did each of you get it? (It also makes a difference what VERSION of font you have).

[lpermjardin]

Hey Brad, thanks for your speedy response!

We are both using exactly the same version of the font - Inter Black. I downloaded the original from Google Fonts and then sent it to her to use so she has installed exactly the same version that I have on my machine, that's why I couldn't figure out why we're getting such different results and thought it might have somethign to do with our overall Illustrator Settings / Preferences.

Might have something to do with different OS's that's a good shout - she's updated to MacOS Monterey and I'm still on Big Sur, I'll update my computer tonight and see if I have the same issues when updating to Monterey. 

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

I just downloaded Inter Black to take a look at its outlines, and yes, the outline for the Google font is indeed using overlaps, so Illustrator is outlining according to that. Why it's not happening for one of you is odd. Are you sure you are both using the exact same version? (I just downloaded v 3.019)

Font designers tend to use overlaps when they are working on a font, as they are easier to work with, and then eliminate them when they export final versions. This seems to be particularly a problem with open source fonts since everyone and their dog can work on it; Steps can be missed.

Here's a link to the open source page for Inter:

https://github.com/rsms/inter

The overlap issue was reported in their issues section, and in fact, there is a more updated version that corrects this. Here's a link to v3.19

https://github.com/rsms/inter/releases

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

 

[pixxxelschubser]

Please show both Appareance Panels. It could be the hierarchy or a different blendmode …

[Ton Frederiks]

Seen this with Variable fonts. The non variable (static) version does not have that problem.