Illustrator Question on the pen tool

[agentmoeller]

Hello all.

I have an issue with the pen tool. If you look at the image below, I draw the black outline with the pen tool. These are several shapes on top of each other.

Sometimes, when I come to a point (see the blue arrows), then change the line direction, I get a flat, squared-off endpoint.

Sometimes (red arrows), I get a sharp single point.

Any idea why sometimes one, and sometimes the other?


Thanks.


Agent

 

[IamSam]

This is caused by the stroke alignment in relationship to the path. In the examples below, I used the INSIDE alignment.

When the paths are close or touching after the corner node you will have a blunt stroke.
(Please note the path)


If the path's are farther apart you get a sharply pointed stroke.


If you wish to avoid the blunt stroke altogether, just set your stroke alignment to CENTER.

 

[agentmoeller]

Awesome. Thanks so much. Although, I do set my stroke alignment to center on the stroke palette, but it doesn't seem to get rid of the blunt stroke.

Is there another setting I can mess with?


Agent

 

[hawkeye]

Stroke alignment will alter it, but it has more to do with where you place the points.