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Met1
Braniac
December 3, 2021
Answered

Stepped line to straight line.

  • December 3, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 1112 views

I'm having a week of How To questions!

Just got a file in today where the customer has created a whole bunch of simple blends and then expanded the art. They do not have a pre-expanded art file.

The issue is the art is 8.5" x 11" and we're producing a ten foot wide flag. All the blends have been made with a large number of steps and when enlarging for output these steps are very obvious.

What's a neat trick for converting steps to a straight line, without me deleting the first and last steps and joining. I'd have to do this fifty times and I'd rather not.

Converting them to smooth points is marginally better, it looks almost like a deliberate effect so that's an option, but if there's a definitive solution I'd rather go that route.

Thanks.

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Correct answer Kurt Gold

Met, you can download an action here:

 

Straightener

 

The .zip file contains an action set file (straightener.aia) and a sample Illustrator file (stairs_001.ai) with two staircase objects.

 

Instruction:

 

- Open stairs_001.ai and import straightener.aia into the Actions palette.
- Select both the blue and the yellow object.
- Run the action.

 

Note that it sometimes might be necessary to slightly modify the action. Depends on what objects you actually have.

 

5 replies

Kurt Gold
Braniac
December 6, 2021

My pleasure!

 

I cobbled this action together some years ago after having received many "staircase files" from some architects.

 

Files that are built by architects are always problematic.

 

Kurt Gold
Kurt GoldCorrect answer
Braniac
December 4, 2021

Met, you can download an action here:

 

Straightener

 

The .zip file contains an action set file (straightener.aia) and a sample Illustrator file (stairs_001.ai) with two staircase objects.

 

Instruction:

 

- Open stairs_001.ai and import straightener.aia into the Actions palette.
- Select both the blue and the yellow object.
- Run the action.

 

Note that it sometimes might be necessary to slightly modify the action. Depends on what objects you actually have.

 

Met1
Met1Author
Braniac
December 6, 2021

Truly a thing of beauty, thanks Kurt!

Kurt Gold
Braniac
December 3, 2021

You are welcome, Met.

 

I seem to remember that I once made an action that could handle the straightening a bit easier or faster, particularly with regard to simplifying many paths all at once. Will have a look tomorrow or next week.

 

Kurt Gold
Braniac
December 3, 2021

You may direct select just all anchor points that build the stairs.

 

Then go to Object menu > Path > Simplify and enable the Convert to Straight Lines option while the Corner Point Angle Threshold is set to 91° or (a bit) higher.

 

Met1
Met1Author
Braniac
December 3, 2021

Fab, thanks Kurt!

Kurt Gold
Braniac
December 3, 2021

Can you share a sample Illustrator file (.ai) with at least one of those constructions and some further instructions about the desired result?

 

Met1
Met1Author
Braniac
December 3, 2021

I can't upload the customers doc but here's a representation of what I mean - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ggUeZmXV4elQuJ0s_FmPKtysY245AFbj/view?usp=sharing

Braniac
December 3, 2021

I have examined your file, and I cannot see any difference at all between the GOT and the WANT versions.