NEEDhelp PLEASE Choke or trap?

[Thejess]

Hello, Nice to be here amoung other Illustrator lovers :D

First of all, I don't know the difference between CHOKE or TRAP. but what i need is an outline around some text. This is black text with the outline around it in gray for t-shirt. How is this done? Hopefully the simplest way.
I am not too Illustrator savy, so please explain in easy terms.

Will this be done in seps and 2 layers? I would like to get to know how to do this along with so many neat tricks and tips to learn from all of you!

Thanks for any help given :)
Thejess

[brghtbear]

I think this is what you wanting to know. There are many tutorials that can be found as well.

http://www.alflemming.com/locker/text.jpg

[Thejess]

Thanks so much and yes thats exactly what I am looking for. So how do you in detail get the copy of the text "behind" the original?
Also, how do I put this in layers for color seps output?

Many thanks!
Thejess

[FreeTransform]

When I manually trap text, I convert the text to outlines (Type>Create Outlines). Then I add a very thin stroke to it, like .15" Then in the Attributes palette (Window>Attributes), set the stroke to overprint. So let's say you have red text on a black background--that thin stroke will overprint and trap any white gaps that may result from slight mis-registration, while the red fill will not overprint the black and get muddy.

To make a copy of something directly in back of itself, just Copy, then Edit>Paste in Back (Cmd-B).

[brghtbear]

Thanks CherylG. You beat me to the punch.

AL

[Thejess]

Thanks Cheryl and AL, I will try both ways and see what I can come up with. If I get stuck I'll be back.

BTW, Sorry it's been taking me so long to respond, I have been working alot of OT at work, including all of this weekend, so far I've put in 65 hours this week alone So please bear with me, I will come back and respond.

You guys are great and very helpful, hats off to all of you.

Thejess.

[Thejess]

Ok Cheryl or Al if your out there or anyone. I can't seem to find a way to put the original text and the "copy \stroke" text on 2 seperate layers. I tried Add new layer from the layers palette, then copy, then click on the new layer to highlight it, then Edit > paste in back. But when I turn off the eye on the first layer and highlight the new layer nothing appears there its all blank.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks again,
Thejess

[brghtbear]

Ok,

If you are going to use seperate layers:

1. Create a new layer so that you have two layers in your layers pallet.
2. Create your text on the top layer.
3. Copy it.
4. Paste behind.
5. Leave this text, what you just pasted, selected.
6. Select the bottom layer by clicking on it.
7. Making sure the bottom layer stays selected simply ctrl+click(mac), or if you have a two button mouse or a pc, right click on your selected text.
8. In the dialog box that appears choose Arrange-->Send to current layer.

Your pasted text is now on the bottom layer and in place behind the top text.

If you don't what to use the the right click option follow steps 1-6 then go to Object --> Arrange --> Send to current layer.

AL

[FreeTransform]

You could also just make the second layer, then with the text selected, hold down the Option key (PC: Alt) and drag the little colored square in the layer's name to the new layer.

[Thejess]

Hi again, I tried what Al suggested but when it came to the right click>arrange>send to current layer, I found that I don't have that option. I get create outlines instead.:confused:

How else can it be done.

Also at what point do I do the outline stroke? before copy\paste or after?

[Thejess]

I forgot to mention that I have Illustrator 8.0 version

Also for Cheryl, I did try your way too sounded simple enough but I got a little lost when I didn't know when to do the outlines in your explaination. Could you try it again in detail from start to finish, maybe I will get it right then. I hope

I will be waiting for your answer, Thanks

Thejess

[FreeTransform]

Hi again, I tried what Al suggested but when it came to the right click>arrange>send to current layer, I found that I don't have that option. I get create outlines instead.:confused:

Also at what point do I do the outline stroke? before copy\paste or after?

Hm, I can't duplicate that contextual menu weirdness, but you can just select the text object with the black arrow (as opposed to selecting/highlighting the text with the text tool, and Option-drag the little colored square.

I don't think it matters when you outline your stroke--whichever's easiest for you. The benefit to having two layers is that you cn turn off one or the other of the layers and see the one you're working on better.