Pen tool jaggered lines

[geoffb]

Hi all,

Just wondering why im getting jaggered edges when using the pen tool. How can I stop this?

Thanks. GB

[alcbevtesting@alltel.net]

Geoff,

Not an answer I'm afraid but a bit of support to your question. When I create some images in Illustrator (CS3 these days) I too see jagged/ragged edges. No matter the settings/magnification or view. I am trying to get an answer to this from Mordy Golding as he likely knows what the issue is here. Or Jeff Witchel - ACE.

Have you tried saving the image as a jpeg? When I save the document in another format the image looks smooth. If you see the same then it suggests that it is Illustrator that is the cause of the problem.

I hope we find an answer to this soon. Any help anyone?

Gary.

[AdobeAce]

Hi Guys,

Does it print jaggy as well?

If not, in Preferences, make sure Anti-aliasing is checked. This will make vector look smoother on your monitor.

Ace

[AdobeAce]

Also make sure Pixel Preview is nor checked under the View menu.

Ace

[alcbevtesting@alltel.net]

Jeff I tried both your suggestions - not the problem. What I did find though is that my issue seems to be with brushes. It is the blend-gradient brush that gives the jagged edges. If I replace that stroke with a plain old fat stroke I see no edges. So it is somehow a brush related effect. If I create a solid color art brush it is not giving the same effect.

It goes away upon saving as a different file format (jpeg, pdf) so I'll just have to live with what it looks like on the Illustrator screen. I don't think any brush settings can be altered to change this behavior though I could well be wrong.

I STAND CORRECTED: PDF files do show the jagged edges- jpeg and gif's do not!

[AdobeAce]

Is it jagged when you print?

Ace

[alcbevtesting@alltel.net]

No its quite smooth. One fatter object showed a wee bit of a "serrated edge" but my normal ones look really clean and crisp. So its a screen thing. I am at high resolution but it could be the computer - but then other programs should show a similar effect - no?

[AdobeAce]

Do you know what your monitor resolution is?

Ace

[alcbevtesting@alltel.net]

In my case Jeff has solved the issue. Blend-gradient brushes are just that - blended objects. The expanded blend is an extensive number of objects and these when stretched out give the staggered/jittery banding-like effect - much as gradients can.

Don't despair though as jpeg,gif (Photoshop?) files will smoothen these jagged edges out to give quite clean images. If that is what you intend to do with your artwork. Now if Adobe can just resolve making brushes from true gradients - this issue will go away.

As for the original post - the pen lines - hopefully the Preferences/antialiasing/monitor resolution issues will be the source of the problem. Thanks for diligence in looking into this Jeff.