How to use lines to 'cut' an underlying object? 1

[rossmcd]

Would welcome guidance on an Illustrator CS2 Mac query.

I'm designing a graphic. It contains a solid shape and a few characters of text. Overlaid (on higher layer) across the middle of the shape and characters are several white lines. The onscreen effect is ideal however the graphic is causing difficulty with my professional print firm (digital cmyk)...the white lines are visible.

So here's my question...can such white horizontal lines be used to 'cut' the underlying shape and outlined characters? (so that the lines would be blank rather than white)

Thanks.

 

[apepp]

...you will need to utilize the pathfinder palette, this may also require restructuring your layout. Without having the file at hand it is difficult to provide step by step instructions...

...in short, yes it would be possible, play with the pathfinder palette's options, i take it you want a background to show through these lines?

...it would be worth placing a solid colour underneath all object, lock it and experiment with pathfinder...

...this will unlikely be a one button operation though...

andrew

 

[blueark]

A combination of expanding the lines (Object > Expand), pathfinder & clipping mask might do the trick, although I'm not clear what the problem is exactly. Is it going over a coloured background?

 

[rossmcd]

thanks guys, much appreciated.

managed to resolve my query with pathfinder merge effect then shift/opt selecting of each area to remain in the image. so painful to find the right method but relatively easy to execute.

cheers