Text : Convert to Paths -- Bug?

[OneSizeFitsAll webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

Greetings,

This is my first post here.
Please excuse my english. This is not my native language.

I would just wish to know if anyone ever noticed a problem in FreeHand MX and 10 (OS X)... or is it me?

In FreeHand MX and 10 (OS X):
Type an "O" in any font and then... use the menu "Text : Convert to Paths". I see a whole bunch of segments. Way too many.

With the same font at the same size, do the same in Illustrator 10 or below:
No problems. The paths are clean, pure and simplified.

I allready sent a good while back, to Macromedia, a message on this issue, and never got any reply.

Thank you for your input.

[Jim]

I cannot replicate what you speak of, but am using a Windows machine.

Jim

"OneSizeFitsAll" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:bmsu3h$86o$1@forums.macromedia.com...

> Greetings,
>
> This is my first post here.
> Please excuse my english. This is not my native language.
>
> I would just wish to know if anyone ever noticed a problem in FreeHand MX

and 10 (OS X)... or is it me?

>
> In FreeHand MX and 10 (OS X):
> Type an "O" in any font and then... use the menu "Text : Convert to

Paths". I see a whole bunch of segments. Way too many.

>
> With the same font at the same size, do the same in Illustrator 10 or

below:

> No problems. The paths are clean, pure and simplified.
>
> I allready sent a good while back, to Macromedia, a message on this issue,

and never got any reply.

>
> Thank you for your input.
>
>

[Acumowchek webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

I have waited two years for someone to bring this up. Thanks.
If I don't see others having the same problems, I assume it's me and move on.

Twice the amount of points are being added to any font containing a curve when it is converted to paths.
I noticed this the first day I used OSX and FH10.
Converting fonts in OS9 using FH10 confirmed it. The fewest possible points were used to create the curves.
I assumed at the time it was OSX, but if Illustrator doesn't add the extra points...
I wonder if the default flatness settings have anything to do with it... I'll check.

Quick fix: Use Simplify Xtra at lowest setting will remove extra points.

Please excuse my english. This IS my native language!
:-)


-Curtis
New FHMXa User - Old FreeHand Abuser
G4 450, OSX 10.2.6 256mb Ram

[Judy Arndt]

Acumowchek wrote:

> Twice the amount of points are being added to any font containing a curve when
> it is converted to paths. I noticed this the first day I used OSX and FH10.
> Converting fonts in OS9 using FH10 confirmed it. The fewest possible points
> were used to create the curves. I assumed at the time it was OSX, but if
> Illustrator doesn't add the extra points... I wonder if the default flatness
> settings have anything to do with it... I'll check.

Flatness is set in the print dialog, so I don't think flatness is the issue
here.

> Quick fix: Use Simplify Xtra at lowest setting will remove extra points.

What setting are you using? I find the Simplify removes too many points from
text.

Did MM sneak in this feature to make the new Extrude feature work better?

Convert some text to paths such as the word "RODEO" set in Charter Bold.
Join. Duplicate and run Simplify on one set of letters. Now apply Extrude to
each of them. The curves with more points extrude nicely. The simplified
curves are blocky and quite ugly.

I've also noticed that the Envelope makes much more accurate distortions
when there are more points in a line.

Judy Arndt

[Acumowchek webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

Greetings,
I noticed this when FH10 first came out, so it's nothing new in MX.
I use a .01 setting for the simplify command. It seems to retain the shape of the original.
The only time I use it is when I want to modify a character or when I have to convert , let's say, a page of text. It's easier to edit and keeps the file size down.
This is all a throwback from the old SE30 days though... todays computers can handle something simple like excessive points. I gotta upgrade my computer one of these days. :-)
I don't like FreeHands envelope tool. It is not very precise and bends things I don't want bent. I still prefer Kai's Vector effects Warp tool. I really wish it was ported to OSX.
All in all none of this has ever been a problem.

-Curtis
New FHMXa User - Old FreeHand Abuser
G4 450, OSX 10.2.6 256mb Ram