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Pipo2000
Participant
February 13, 2021
Answered

Distortion on small scale offset path.

  • February 13, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 1636 views

I use offset paths on type a lot in my workflow. I've just noticed these have started being distorted on smaller type. This wasn't the case a few weeks ago. I feel like I unwittingly changed a setting.

 

I found a much older support ticket which suggested turning off "align to pixel grid" will solve this, but in Illustrator 2020 and 2021 "align to pixel grid" in the control bar doesn't seem to work.

 

Help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ton Frederiks

In the first image the type was much smaller. Unrealistially small, only using it to highlight the slight distortion.

 

Is there no way to correct the slightly distortion? I feel like I use offset paths in this way several times a day for my job, and have only had this issue right now. Which makes me think I changed a setting in error.


I don't think you changed a setting.

You may mention it here:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com

2 replies

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2021

Can you describe a little more what you are doing?

Typeface, size, outlined or live type, offset settings, effect or from Object menu?

P
Pipo2000Author
Participant
February 13, 2021

I'm usually seeking to boost or reduce thickness of type slightly to create consistency across multipe fonts and type sizes on packaging.

 

I've found the distortion on all typeface Myriad, Helvetica, everything. Live and outline type is effected.

I get the effect through Effect>Path>Offset Path.

That example was very small to higlight the distortion, but I am seeing it larger type as well.

The attached image is osx system Helvetica 14pt size, with a 0.05 pt offset oath -- notice the dot of the I is tilted.

 

 

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2021

I can see and reproduce the slight distortion in your last screenshot, but that has been like that in older versions too (I checked CS6).

But I cannot reproduce the distortion you showed in your first screenshot.

(Please do not attach images, but use the Insert button)

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2021

Check if View > Snap to Pixel is on.

P
Pipo2000Author
Participant
February 13, 2021

It is not.

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