Overlapping Text creates cutout on export

[paulc86736890]

I'm using a script font which displays correctly inside of InDesign however on export for Print (I've tried various presets) the PDF creates a cutout where the characters overlap. The first photo shows it correctly in InDesign.

Then on export the 'i' intersects with the 'e'. I have created text outlines and this is where the path of the 'i' does go but I don't know why it is doing this and not on any of the other letters? Is there a fix for it?

Thanks in advance

[Mike Witherell]

Which PDF exports have you tried?

[paulc86736890]

2001 and 2008 which is what the printing company prefers.

[Laubender]

Hi,

hm. This is tricky.

Just for testing, so do it on a duplicate:
How would it look like if you convert the live text to outlines?

Regards,
Uwe

[paulc86736890]

As soon as it is converted to outlines inside of InDesign it replicates the issue. Notice how the 'b' overlapping the 'I' doesn't cause an issue. See image below:

[paulc86736890]

I have also typed more 'i's' and expected to see the issue over and over but it only seems to happen when the 'i' hits the 'e'

[Laubender]

Hi,

then it could be a flaw in the font itself.

Hm. That said: How are your ligature settings for the text?

Regards,
Uwe

[Lukas Engqvist · Accepted solution]

This happens when you convert to outline (does it happen also if it is just font?) I assume it will happen with ant letter and the e?

It is an old problem that is not as common as it used to be and has to do with the direction of the strokes. The phenomenon is called non-zero winding and has to do with the direction of the stroke. In a compound path strokes of the same rotational direction add and if the direction is reversed they cut out (on overlap, such as you have on the e). In a font editor this direction can be set and edited, your font designer did not do this quality check (or it is a free font that they have fixed in the pay version?). Without a fornt editor you cannot fix the font. As long as it is text it should not render like you show, so it seem something is causing it to get converted to outlines.

I would advise you to contact the font creator and make them aware of the bug, and as long as you have the font legally they will be thankful to learn of the problem (if you like show them this thread)

Once you create outlines you can solve the problem.

Select the paths (select at least one point on each path) of the e with the direct selection (white arrow) and choose Object > Path > Reverse Path that will solve your problem.

[paulc86736890]

Thanks Lukas, I created outlines and altered the path directions and I have managed to export it without this issue. These options are also available in the pathfinder window if you need to join, open, close or reverse your path.