Illustrator Illustrator vector question, outlining ... plotter cutting

[RichardSunday]

Hi folks, I'm new here, I hope my title wasn't too vague
I'm using Illustrator to make eps vectors from font text by outliining and saving them for my plotter cutter
On some fonts, the letters cut into one another so to avoid the blade doing this I want to learn how to 'flatten the text into an object' and then outline the image/word as a whole image instead of individual letters ...

I hope that makes sense, I look forward to being a part of this busy forum, Richard ...

 

[hawkeye]

Perhaps I'm not understanding you but... If the letters are too close or running together why not just use the character panel to increase the tracking?

 

[SPWA]

If you have the text selected, then go to Object > Expand. This will turn typed text into shapes. You can then go to Object > Ungroup. This option will stop them from selecting all together.

Move the letters however you want them. If two or more are overlapping, you can use the Pathfinder tool, and Unite them.

Try that, and see if it solves any of your issues.

 

[hawkeye]

Even if still grouped you can use the direct selection tool to move or alter any of the letters individually.

 

[RichardSunday]

Hi hawkeye and SPWA - thanks for getting back to me, I don't want to change the tracking or spacing to give the letters their own space, I don't know if you can see the large attached image . . . but the letters fall into place and overlap as standard, when I do the outline thing, each letter has its own outline and this is where the plastic is sliced too (not bad on large wall graphics but a nightmare on smaller ones)
What I want to do is kinda 'flatten the text' into its own object or image so the outlines only go around the whole image/object and not the individual letters that wont be there when 'flattened' -
does this make more sense, lol, I hope you get me . . . many thanks friends

 

[hawkeye]

Type-Create Outlines. Then use the Shape Builder tool to connect the overlaps. The result is one single object:

 

[RichardSunday]

Thanks hawk eye, just watched a quick tutorial on that tool and done it, thats one to remember for quickly merging the text (and avoiding extra slices) that might damage smaller plastic cutting - many thanks friend, hope to chat some more sometime, Richard

 

[hawkeye]

You could also use the Pathfinder Shape Modes and Unite them. Same result.

 

[RichardSunday]

awesome, just done that as well, many thanks brother