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J
juderino
Participant
July 11, 2023
Answered

Intertwined paths look different in PDF

  • July 11, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 482 views

I'm using Illustrator v27.7

I have an image that has some intertwined shapes. Where the shapes overlap look fine in Illustrator. If I save it as a PDF the output is different and the paths of the intertwined areas are changed.

I've attached a screenshot showing the two side by side. You can see that the intersected area looks different in Acrobat. I've opened the PDF in other programs and the problem is the same.

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be much appreciated.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer juderino

    I remade the image and the problem didn't occur this time.
    I think the original problem had something to do with freeform gradient. When I used a solid colour on the circle intertwine worked easily; I just had to click on the overlapped area. When I used a freeform gradient the overlapped area had a hard/square edge where the freeform gradient was applied (imagine a box around the coloured circle) and I had to use the lasso tool to select the overlap. The wonky path in the original is probably the path made by the lasso tool. The earlier image was made in a previous version of Illustrator when the intertwine tool had just been introduced so perhaps it's a bug that's now been fixed.

    1 reply

    B
    Community Expert
    Bobby HendersonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 11, 2023

    Have you tried expanding the intertwine effect before saving the PDF? If the effect was left "live" I'd try to save the PDF using the latest version presets.

      J
      juderinoAuthor
      Participant
      July 11, 2023

      Thanks for your reply.
      I had expanded it before saving the PDF. I've tried a few different compatibility presets and the problem persists unfotunately,

      J
      juderinoAuthorCorrect answer
      Participant
      July 11, 2023

      I remade the image and the problem didn't occur this time.
      I think the original problem had something to do with freeform gradient. When I used a solid colour on the circle intertwine worked easily; I just had to click on the overlapped area. When I used a freeform gradient the overlapped area had a hard/square edge where the freeform gradient was applied (imagine a box around the coloured circle) and I had to use the lasso tool to select the overlap. The wonky path in the original is probably the path made by the lasso tool. The earlier image was made in a previous version of Illustrator when the intertwine tool had just been introduced so perhaps it's a bug that's now been fixed.

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