10 replies to this topic

[Bryan Swindell]

Hi all,

This shouldn't be too hard to do, but none of my searches are yielding what I need. Part of the problem may be just finding the correct terminology, so bear with me.

I want to join (or is it merge?) paths together such that the dash pattern is continuous. I am simply using the pen tool to add paths to existing ones. Right now these paths are 3 separate features. (Note that these are not end-to-end lines, which have been covered elsewhere in this forum.)

I have tried the Pathfinder tool, various snapping options, etc. but nothing is bringing these paths together into one nice, continuous feature. What am I missing here?

 paths_after.jpg   147.27K   33 downloads

[David Medeiros]

Hi all,

This shouldn't be too hard to do, but none of my searches are yielding what I need. Part of the problem may be just finding the correct terminology, so bear with me.

I want to join (or is it merge?) paths together such that the dash pattern is continuous. I am simply using the pen tool to add paths to existing ones. Right now these paths are 3 separate features. (Note that these are not end-to-end lines, which have been covered elsewhere in this forum.)

I have tried the Pathfinder tool, various snapping options, etc. but nothing is bringing these paths together into one nice, continuous feature. What am I missing here?

 paths_after.jpg   147.27K   33 downloads

I assume you simply want the point spacing to be the same at the line junctions. Creating a compound path may solve your problem, although I'm not sure. You can also just move the end point until the space is correct, but you may need to reverse the path direction for this work and I'm not sure where that option is in AI.

[Bryan Swindell]

Hi all,

This shouldn't be too hard to do, but none of my searches are yielding what I need. Part of the problem may be just finding the correct terminology, so bear with me.

I want to join (or is it merge?) paths together such that the dash pattern is continuous. I am simply using the pen tool to add paths to existing ones. Right now these paths are 3 separate features. (Note that these are not end-to-end lines, which have been covered elsewhere in this forum.)

I have tried the Pathfinder tool, various snapping options, etc. but nothing is bringing these paths together into one nice, continuous feature. What am I missing here?

 paths_after.jpg   147.27K   33 downloads

I assume you simply want the point spacing to be the same at the line junctions. Creating a compound path may solve your problem, although I'm not sure. You can also just move the end point until the space is correct, but you may need to reverse the path direction for this work and I'm not sure where that option is in AI.

Thanks, David - indeed, consistent point spacing is what I am after. Compound path doesn't do it, but it may be that I digitized the line incorrectly to begin with (ie, incorrect use of the Pen tool). Any advice on that count?

I also have moved the end points to make it appear the way I want, but as soon as I change the length of any of the lines elsewhere in the map, the point locations change slightly and the intersections go out of alignment, forcing me to repeat the process over again. I figure bringing the paths into a single feature is a better long-term solution. However, if I make such adjustments to the line lengths at the very end of the project (once the symbology is settled), it would pass as perfect, at least with the dot pattern I have going. Dashes might be a different story, though.

[David Medeiros]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Attached Files

•  lines_01.jpg   83.27K   22 downloads

[Bryan Swindell]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Ah, nice. Since Compound Path is not working for me, the issue may be in how I created the paths in the first place. How did you snap your perpendicular line to the initial one?

[David Medeiros]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Ah, nice. Since Compound Path is not working for me, the issue may be in how I created the paths in the first place. How did you snap your perpendicular line to the initial one?

I didn't snap it but I did get as close as I could by eye. The issue may be in what direction you digitized the perpendicular lines. I started mine at the junction and drew out to the end.

[Bryan Swindell]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Ah, nice. Since Compound Path is not working for me, the issue may be in how I created the paths in the first place. How did you snap your perpendicular line to the initial one?

I didn't snap it but I did get as close as I could by eye. The issue may be in what direction you digitized the perpendicular lines. I started mine at the junction and drew out to the end.

Frustrating. I've tried digitizing some test features as you did, in multiple directions, then Compound Path, but all fail. I'll keep experimenting and hope I stumble into the correct method. Thanks!

[David Medeiros]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Ah, nice. Since Compound Path is not working for me, the issue may be in how I created the paths in the first place. How did you snap your perpendicular line to the initial one?

I didn't snap it but I did get as close as I could by eye. The issue may be in what direction you digitized the perpendicular lines. I started mine at the junction and drew out to the end.

Frustrating. I've tried digitizing some test features as you did, in multiple directions, then Compound Path, but all fail. I'll keep experimenting and hope I stumble into the correct method. Thanks!

Are you using a brush symbol or a dashed line for the line pattern? I used a dashed line if that matters. You might try clearing the appearance before resetting the style and creating compound paths. Beyond that not sure what else to suggest. Hopefully someone else will have some ideas.

[Bryan Swindell]

When I try a test version of your problem, using the Compound Path option seems to set the distance of the end point correctly. Are you looking for a different kind of junction?

Ah, nice. Since Compound Path is not working for me, the issue may be in how I created the paths in the first place. How did you snap your perpendicular line to the initial one?

I didn't snap it but I did get as close as I could by eye. The issue may be in what direction you digitized the perpendicular lines. I started mine at the junction and drew out to the end.

Frustrating. I've tried digitizing some test features as you did, in multiple directions, then Compound Path, but all fail. I'll keep experimenting and hope I stumble into the correct method. Thanks!

Are you using a brush symbol or a dashed line for the line pattern? I used a dashed line if that matters. You might try clearing the appearance before resetting the style and creating compound paths. Beyond that not sure what else to suggest. Hopefully someone else will have some ideas.

I'm just using a dashed line pattern, not a brush symbol. But I will try just a new plain line, create compound path, then apply the dashing. Thanks for the help!

[David Medeiros]

No problem. Good luck!

[Matthew Hampton]

I'm curious to know the solution as I've had similar problems in past maps <map attached> and just rigged it the best I could to make sure the pattern at the junctions stayed true to form.

At one 3-way junction I remember I had luck breaking the line into 3 segments and using the "align dashes to path ends" option on the Stroke Window - but I'm not sure it works in all cases/patterns.

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