Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 12/20/2007

Question
I have designed my logo in illustrator. In the design I have used the scroll pen to draw a set of 5 lines vertically, then copied to have 5 sets next to each other. Liked this effect because the lines gradiated from one thickness to another. Problem is when I save a PDF file so that I can take to my printer to get things printed, there is a visible line in between each set. Doesn't show up with my computer (I'm using a PC) but does on theirs...they use Mac format, but the guy there said it was because it was a PDF file. Know how we can get rid of that? Also, how do I get my logo in a format so that I can put it onto word documents, or even my e-mail? With the lines in my logo, I have tried to just take a simple line and duplicate to get a row of lines going vertically, copied horizontally (like this IIIII) and then using the gradient tool to lighten from the bottom to top so that the group of lines are heaver at bottom but have been un-successful. I've looked everywhere to see what I am doing wrong. Seems like no problem to gradient an object but even when I make the set of lines a group, it won't gradient. Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer
First you need to go under effect, document effect raster settings and set your resolution to 300 dpi. Default is 72 dpi which may account for the line showing up. If you are making the lines out of paths with thick strokes (instead of rectangle objects) you will need to expand them to fill them with a gradient. Go to Object>Expand and choose "stroke". This will change them into rectangle objects and allow you to use a gradient on them.

As for saving these out as a format for Microsoft Word, go under File>Export and from there you can choose either a PNG or JPG format. Both work well for other applications, considering you have gradients.