How To Find Open Paths In Illustrator

In this tutorial, we'll prove you lot how to find and set open up contours that may cause issues when designing in vector programs, such as Adobe Illustrator. Follow along with this video or guide to learn how to find and set open contours in your blueprint earlier uploaded to SendCutSend to be cut.

Video Guide to Finding and Fixing Open Contours in Adobe Illustrator for Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Cutting

What is an "open contour"?

A mutual issue nosotros run into with vector design files is open contours. An open contour or "path" is whenever a shape does not connect all the way around. Open contours can be piece of cake to miss and frequently crusade issues while designing in vector programs, such equally Adobe Illustrator. Open contours must be stock-still before uploading your design, or the laser cutter tin can't follow the path to cut out your desired shape.

Luckily, it's pretty simple to detect and fix open up contours in Adobe Illustrator and we've got a step-by-stride guide for yous right here!

Download our demo files here so you can follow along.

3 Steps for Finding and Fixing Open Contours in Illustrator

1. View in Outline mode

To get-go, with your file open in Illustrator, select the Outline option from the View dropdown menu. You can besides use CMD + Y on Mac or CTRL + Y on Windows.

Viewing your model in Outline style will brand information technology easier to spot any open contours.

If you're post-obit along with the video above, at a glance, the SendCutSend logo appears to exist fully connected. Notwithstanding, in outline mode, you will see that nosotros're missing a connectedness.

Find open contours by viewing in Outline mode

We too recommend using the gratis Illustrator plug-in chosen "Select Menu" which will let you to notice all open paths. In one case installed, with the object selected you lot can go to the Select dropdown carte > and Open Paths. This volition help you discover all open paths, specially with larger pattern files.

2. Join open paths

To fix open paths, permit'southward first switch to the Directly Selection Tool. This will allow you lot to shift-click both endpoints that need to be joined together.

We can then use CMD + J on Mac or CTRL + J on Windows to Join the two endpoints. The Bring together command is likewise located in the Object dropdown menu and the Path flyout binder.

Information technology's of import to note that the Bring together tool in Adobe Illustrator just allows you to join one detail at a time. If yous were to select all open up paths before the Join tool it would join them together every bit one shape.

We do recommend a Concatenate [/kənˈkatnˌāt/] plug-in that allows you to join multiple open up paths at once while keeping the shapes split up. This Illustrator plug-in does require the buy of a license; however, it'southward well worth it for those who frequently design in Illustrator.

The contours are at present fixed and ready for the light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation cutter, just there is one last important affair we should mention earlier you upload your file to SendCutSend: vector points.

3. Simplify circuitous paths

With some files, y'all may take a large number of vector points. As well many vector points can exist troublesome for the laser cutter, particularly when they make up a tight corner. The laser software will sometimes translate that as a break, or you can end up with edges that are not cleanly cut. If yous find a large number of vector points on your shapes, you tin use the Simplify Path tool.

First by selecting your shape, followed by Simplify from the Object dropdown menu and Path flyout folder. From here, select the "More Options" three dots icon to view all of the options. Reduce the number of anchor points around curves with the Simplify Curve option. Reducing just a little amount often makes a large departure. Yous tin can also endeavour the "Automobile-Simplify" button, which will automatically remove vector points where the software believes they're unnecessary.

The simplify path tool lets you remove unneccessary vector points

Depending on the shape and how many vector points make it up, information technology may have some dorsum and forth with the settings to reduce points without altering your desired shape. Checking the "Preview" option volition permit you to test the settings and preview the results in real-fourth dimension.

Your file is complete in one case you lot reduce points and all open up paths or contours are fully closed.

Be sure to check out our other video on Exporting from Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting and then reference our checklist below.

Nosotros hope this tutorial has been helpful for finding and fixing open contours in Adobe Illustrator. Yous're gear up to upload your file and get a custom quote today!

Source: https://sendcutsend.com/finding-and-fixing-open-contours/#:~:text=We%20also%20recommend%20using%20the,particularly%20with%20larger%20design%20files.

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