Spacing problem in multicoloured dotted pattern brush

[SiSc16]

Hi there

I have created a pattern brush which consists of 6 circles in different colours. I am using it to stroke text ballons and make connection lines. There is always a gap between the sixth and first circle (see arrows in the screenshot; I was not able to attach the ai file for some reason). Is there a way to avoid this? I tried the different settings but this did't help.

Many thanks!

[Monika Gause]

Please upload the AI file to Dropbox or Creative Cloud and share a link here.

[SiSc16]

here is a link to dropbox, does it work for you? https://www.dropbox.com/s/c9a8144k194xexo/pattern%20brush.ai?dl=0

[Monika Gause]

The gap is there because you allow Illustrator to insert a gap in order to adjust the pattern to the length

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

In order to get the desired distribution you may slightly modify the Pattern Brush element and use the Stretch to fit or Approximate path option in the Pattern Brush Options dialog.

See sample .ai file below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nkMx6LPMgJh1-659Ro7pND3wVtWKsQlC/view?usp=sharing

[SiSc16]

Oh, I see! You put a strokeless path at the two outside circles which is half the length of the space between the circles, right? Was that the trick?

[tromboniator]

Yes. Except in the case of the Add space to fit scenario, the no-stroke/no-fill rectangle determines the spacing of the tiles of the pattern brush.

Peter

[SiSc16]

perfect, thank you very much for the clarification.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

The issue of spacing in Pattern Brushes has come up before and was solved, but not with a Pattern Brush. Here's a link: Type on a Path 

You may be able to use the same solution, by using bullet characters instead of slashes.

Hope this helps!

[SiSc16]

Thanks for the tip, Jeff. I will have a look at it, too. I have to see if I can use bullets in different colours.