Gradient along stroke not lining up

[mrbert]

I'm trying to build this graphic of different sized circles, each with a gradient applied along the stroke. My problem is getting the intersections to line up correctly. I can get it perfect in one point but further along there will be a gap. I'm confused as they are all perfect circles and align correctly. Have tried outlining the stroke but still get them same problem. Am I doing something wrong or can anyone suggest another way of building it? Thanks.

[Jacob Bugge]

Mr Bert,

What happens if you hold Ctrl/Cmd and press E?

That toggles between GPU and CPU, the former with some advantages but sometimes it moves in mysterious ways.

[mrbert]

Hi, have tried that but still getting the same issue. Thought it might have been some weird thing with just how it's viewing but can still see the gaps after exporting. 

[Jacob Bugge]

Mr Bert,

I believe we may be looking at the effect of the inherent inaccuracy of Bezier circles when circles are at different angles, as by rotating (differently). Each circle has 8 bulges.

As a cover up, you can increase the Stroke Weight of every second circle a wee bit, less wee for larger circles. The overlap elsewhere will go unnoticed.

[Jacob Bugge]

Mr Bert,

I still believe that we are looking at the effect of the inherent inaccuracy of Bezier circles when circles are at different angles, as by rotating (differently). Each circle has 8 bulges.

Given the transparency, I believe you can proceed in (at least) two ways:

One way is to remove the transparency issue so the suggested cover up with the overlap will go unnoticed:

1) Increase the Stroke Weight of every second circle a wee bit, less wee for larger circles, that is the suggested cover up, which will create the overlap;

2) For all circles, add a stroke in the Appearance panel, and give the bottommost stroke the most suitable solid colour (black, white, or (other) intended background colour, which will show through the transparency in any case).

Another way is to rotate all the circles back to their original orientation, to avoid the the effect of the inherent inaccuracy of Bezier circles when circles are  rotated differently (Smart Guides are your friends telling you when you are within snapping distance):

1) Create a vertical line from the centre of the circles to somewhere above the largest circle by ClickDragging with the Line Tool;

Then for each circle:

2) Create a slanting line across each circle by ClickDragging with the Line Segment Tool starting with the start Anchor Point where the gradient starts to the opposite one, then lock the line;

3) Rotate each circle back to its original orientation by the start Anchor Point in 2) to snap to the line from 1) so it returns to the very top;

4) Cut the circle with the Scissors Tool where it intersects the line from 2); this will make the gradient start there.

When starting on a new set, the issues can be avoided by applying the gradients to unrotated circles, then rotating the gradients along these by cutting each circle where the gradient is to start.

Undo is your friend, and/or you can use a slanting guide line from the centre at the desired angle for each circle.

[sara_pixels]

Personally, I would probably let them overlap a little, unless there is some transparency in the gradients.  Also, I'm often finding that the snap to pixel setting gets in the way and can nudge work out of place.  You might check your View menu to make sure that's unchecked.  But overlapping the shapes should give you a little leeway anyways.

[mrbert]

Hi,

Unfortunately unchecking snap to pixel hasn't worked and i'm unable to have the circles overlapping as there's transparency in the gradients. This will probably get blow up to a billboard size so needs to be spot on. I'm stumped!