[Vincent Rosati]

To make an arc withe the pen tool, Click and Drag to create a point and the handlebars you will use to modify you Bezier curve. Do the same when you place your lines End-Point. (Use the handlebars to modify the shape of your path, you can also grab a curved path with the Direct Select tool and manipulate it directly)
To make multiple lines into one shape press Cmd+U to enable Smart Guides, now when you move your end-points together they will snap to the identical coordinates. Next, press ‘A’ to enable the Direct Selection tool and use it so select two of the endpoints that you wish to join. With these two end-points selected press Cmd+J to Join. You can join points, not objects.
You can than test your fill color.

Repeat as necessary.
Accidentally selecting stray points will interfere with this process.
Cmd+Opt+J will move two (or more) selected points to the same coordinates.
If two points are not at the same coordinates when you join them a path will be created between them.

These are great tools that can be used in many ways. 🙂

[Vincent Rosati]

Generally 300DPI(ppi) is ‘hi-res’ for print. 7200x10800px for a 2’x3′.

[Vincent Rosati]

Sorry.. If you are using an effect or distortion on a vector you might need to apply Object/Expand, first (before performing more tricks). Expanding is destructive, so try it on a copy first. ..Than go to the Pathfinder tools.

[Vincent Rosati]

Unsure if I totally understand..
1 – Select the grid object and perform Object/Path/Outline Stroke.
2 – Create a solid fill, behind the new outlined grid, and Shift select the grid so both objects are selected.
3 – Now use Pathfinder/Divide.

[Vincent Rosati]

Could you Expand (Object/Expand) the object than reapply your colors?

[Vincent Rosati]

I don’t think Illustrator’s value fields work like that. You can enter a value, or arrow up and down. I think what you are describing is what I see in Premiere and AE?

[Vincent Rosati]

If you are making a sort of radial pattern – You could…

1 – Make a (shift constrained) vertical stroke with the pen tool, from the center of your pattern to the outer diameter.
2 – While this stroke object is selected, Click ‘R’ for the Rotate Tool. Hold ‘Option’ (MAC), click the rotation target and move it back down to the center and release the mouse-click. A Rotation dialogue will appear – Type in ‘360/x’ (without quotes, and where x= the number wedges you want) in the ‘Angle’ parameter. Click ‘Copy’ (NOT ‘Okay’).
3 – Back on the artboard – Click/Hold Apple + D (click D repeatedly to duplicate the last operation). This will create the bacic radial pattern. You can now draw your color wedges on top of the line art, and perhaps use the same radial duplication technique to complete your color pinwheel.

It helps to use View/Smart Guides

[Vincent Rosati]

An EPS file is a Post Script data file and is a more portable file format. Printers and service bureaus almost certainly accept EPS files, but not necessarily AI files. There is plenty of information about the EPS definition and specification.
Visit Adobe for info on the PostScript file format.

I dont regularly use Freehand, but I suspect the version (or setting) you are using is simply displaying placed EPS graphics in that preview mode – Similar to older versions of Quark, perhaps??
Does your EPS file print correctly?

Personally, when I create an EPS file, that means I have completely developed the Illustrator file and finalizing for print or transfer to a plotter system such as Gerber or FlexiSign.
By this point, all fonts and strokes are outlined and print transparancies are tested.
I’ve found the RGB color mode to be very reliable, when going to digital print.

AI/Effect/Document Raster Effect Settings/300ppi, Antialiasing
AI/Save As/TIFF 8-Bit Color, PostScript Level 3 (it’s the most capable PostScript level)

I feel pretty safe with Version 8 EPS files, most users can be expected to open this version.
I’ve seen rare issues with EPS files, where complicated compound paths have not interpreted properly, when going to print. Requiring a rebuild.
Some printers or plotter systems may require a lower version, such as Version 5.
Saving to lower versions, such as a Version 3 EPS will Expand or “flatten” various effects. These may include breaking of type to point type, or expanding of gradients. Stroke widths are maintained.

[Vincent Rosati]

Got it. I placed the Custom Transition in Layer 1 with Effect:Alpha Adjust. The In & Out video are layered above it in layers 2 & 3, and both have the Effect:Track Matte Key applied and pointing to the custom transition in Layer 1.
Than, I experimented with the Alpha settings on all layers until it worked. 🙂

[Vincent Rosati]

You could (R-Click on layer in timeline) add a mask to the layer, shape it and feather it. Than add Effects/Render/Fill to adjust the mask color to match the background, if necessary.
Create another mask on the layer (or on a duplicate layer Control+D ) to mask the head.
Keyframe the shape of the masks to match any motion, if necessary.
You could use View/Motion Tracker (or is it Window/Motion Tracker??)if appropriate.
Import your 3d text footage. Adjust the Premultiplied or Alpha Chanel settings as necessary, during import. If you had the option to save your 3d footage with some sort of mask or transparency, that is good:)
If not, you’ll need to key out the background of the 3d text, maybe a Effects/Keying/Color Key and Effects/Matte/Matte Choker?