Creating a hollow shape and adding thickness

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
August 23, 2017
3 replies
5860 views

Hi! I use a cnc cutter with illustrator files. My files need to have the traceable lines around the edge only (not on the inside). I have this open heart shape that I did make and expand. Then added a stroke. At that point there is usually the original lines on the inside and I use merge. But not working. When I try to select and delete that inside line, the stroke goes away. Please let me know what I am doing wrong. Thanks so much!! Attaching screen shots and AI file.

AI file:

https://www.sendspace.com/file/7hrvit

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Correct answer Bill Silbert

Select the heart and go under the Object Menu to Expand Appearance. That will make actual strokes of the outer edges and you can then select the inner edges with the direct selection tool and delete.

E

EverestJ

Inspiring

I know this is old, but had someone ask me about this and showed me this past as an example. So figured I would share the answer.

Select your outer and inner path on the heart

Object>Compund Path> Make. Then just use the fill tool as normal

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Jen,

I have this open heart shape that I did make

What happens if you start by closing it (select it and Ctrl/Cmd+J), then set the Stroke Weight to give the desired appearance (thickness), then Object>Path>Outline Stroke?

Bill Silbert

Correct answer

Community Expert

Select the heart and go under the Object Menu to Expand Appearance. That will make actual strokes of the outer edges and you can then select the inner edges with the direct selection tool and delete.