Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 3/10/2008

Question
I'm an avid fan of illustrator but I have a query about vector effects in general. I rarely (if ever) use effects in illustrator. At one of my jobs my boss really discouraged me from using any of them because things like blurs and feathers drop shadows he said created a raster version of the shape and then applied the blur effect to it. I'm wondering if this is true and if so does it apply to other effect/filters? Are these completely resalable just like the original path work? In other words is it still considered a "vector" if I happen to use any of them for a final piece? I know most of these effects are easily recreated using blending or other true vector means but I have this nagging feeling in the back of mine. I need your help! :D

~Chris

Answer
Hi Chris,

Your boss is right - sort of.

While most effects and filters are rasterized effects, the shapes themselves are not rasterized.

Plus, there are a few things you can do to make them useable.

First, go to Effects>Document Effects Raster Settings and choose the appropriate setting. The issue is that the default is 72 ppi - low res which is great for application efficiency, but lousy for printing. For standard printing 300 ppi should work, or consult your printer for higher settings.

The second is to never use Filters. Always use Effects, because they are editable even after applied to a shape via the appearance palette (think smart filters in Photoshop). Filters leave a rasterized image behind that is flat and not editable.

As long as you use Effects and set the resolution to the appropriate setting, you should have no issues with printing from Illustrator.

Thanks

Kevin