How to find and fix broken vectors in Adobe Illustrator
4 minute readIf you work in Adobe Illustrator and handle complex vector artwork, messy anchor points are one of the most common causes of slow performance, unpredictable editing, and bloated file sizes. Broken vectors often contain unneeded anchor points, redundant points stacked on top of each other, inconsistent point types, and close aligned points that create hidden path issues. These vector problems are especially common in traced artwork, expanded shapes, stock vectors, and rebuilt illustrations.
In this guide, we explain how to recognize broken vectors, why they affect your workflow, and how to use VectorFirstAid from Astute Graphics to quickly clean up anchor points, resulting in improved file performance, greater editing precision, and better overall vector quality.
What are unneeded anchor points?
Unneeded anchor points are anchor points that sit on a perfectly straight path segment and do not alter the direction or shape of that path. In simple terms, they do nothing. If you delete the point and the shape does not visually change, it was unneeded.
What are redundant points?
Redundant points are anchor points that occupy the exact same position as another anchor point on a path. You usually cannot see them, but they are both there. For example, when adjusting a curve, the path may appear to kink or behave oddly because you are unknowingly manipulating one of two stacked points.
What are inconsistent point types?
Inconsistent point types are anchor points that visually appear to be one type, but are technically set as another type inside the vector path structure. For example, a point looks like a sharp corner, but it is actually defined as a smooth point. Or it looks smooth, but it is technically a corner point.
What are close aligned points?
Also known as barely open paths, close aligned points are anchor points that are technically separate, but positioned so close together that they should likely be a single point. They are not duplicates sitting exactly on top of each other, rather they are just extremely close. VectorFirstAid can average and join these together if you wish. The tolerance for fixing this can be adjusted in the VectorFirstAid Preferences.
How to fix your vectors with VectorFirstAid
You can find and fix unneeded anchor points, redundant points, inconsistent point types, and close aligned points using the VectorFirstAid panel from Astute Graphics in Adobe Illustrator.
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Ensure that you have the VectorFirstAid plugin installed through your Astute Manager. Need more help on this? Here's the full documentation website…
Open the VectorFirstAid Panel: Window > Astute Graphics > VectorFirstAid.
Select Your Artwork: Select a single path, group, or an entire illustration.
Click Check Selection: The panel scans for common vector problems, including:
Unneeded points sitting on straight segments.
Redundant points stacked directly on top of each other.
Inconsistent point types that do not match the geometry.
Close aligned points that should likely be merged.
Review the Issues: Use the Show button to cycle through each detected issue.
Fix the issues listed...
Individually: Select a specific issue and click Fix to correct only that instance.
Fix All: All the issues listed will be solved while preserving the visual shape of your artwork.
