[Jeff Cochran]

The technique I described earlier will work for this. You have to use a mask to hide the lines from the center. Try this, create the line like I described before, and then create a mask using a compound path. Draw a circle that extends far beyond the lines. Then draw another circle that the size you want to hide the portion of the line you want hidden. Make sure this circle is in front of the larger circle as that will effect how the compound path is structured. Take the center circle and copy and paste in front (Command C and Command F) then hide this circle (Command 3) I’ll explain why in a moment.

Now, select just the two circles you’ve created, go under object, and scroll down to compound path and MAKE. What this does is create an object with a hole in the middle. If you were to fill this object, you’d have something that would look like an O. Now, make sure this object is in FRONT of the lines, select the object and the lines and go under object, scroll down to Clipping mask, and MAKE.

This should create the lines you want. Now remember the circle you hid. Bring it back (Command Option 3) and apply a stroke to it. Make it slightly smaller and you should have the effect you

[Jeff Cochran]

Hi Beni

Try this. From your description I believe this is the effect you’re looking for.

Draw your circle, mark the center point by pulling out some guidelines from your ruler. Next, Draw a line from the top to the bottom of the circle, but extend the line beyond the circle (make sure the distance is equal top and bottom).

Now use the rotate tool, hold down the option key (Alt on PC) and click on the center point of the circle with the line (only) selected. Enter a value of 0f 2 and click on the COPY button. This will duplicate the line at a 2 degree rotation from the first line. Next, hit the Command (Apple) key (or Control on PC) and the D key. This will duplicate the last command and create a new line at a 2 degree rotation from the second line. Continue to do this until lines completely surround your circle. Now you can bring the circle to the front on the lines.

You can create variations by changing the degree values in the rotate box and by changing the distance the lines extend beyond the circle.

Hope this helps

Jeff Cochran
http://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com