Inspiring

Answered

How to use Extrude on live type in Appearance Panel

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
September 1, 2025
3 replies
517 views

Is it possible to use the Pathfinder Extrude effect to some live type? I'm trying to acheive a blank area inside the type (see image). Where you see black in the letters, I would like that to be the dark gray background, while still being able to change the text. I've tried applying the Extrude in the appearance panel but it doesn't seem to do anything. Thanks.

How-to

Correct answer smashkirk

I got it to work with info from another thread. I did not use Object Outline or Outline Stroke. I put the two fills with position transform below the Contents, then on top of the Contents I have a fill with Opacity 0%. BUT, the trick is to set the bottom Opacity to check off Knockout Gorup.

smashkirkAuthorCorrect answer

Inspiring

I got it to work with info from another thread. I did not use Object Outline or Outline Stroke. I put the two fills with position transform below the Contents, then on top of the Contents I have a fill with Opacity 0%. BUT, the trick is to set the bottom Opacity to check off Knockout Gorup.

smashkirkAuthor

Inspiring

So there was no Pathfinder needed. Although, maybe there is another method using the Pathfinder?

Monika Gause

Community Expert

@smashkirk schrieb:

So there was no Pathfinder needed. Although, maybe there is another method using the Pathfinder?

I have demonstrated the method with the pathfinder in the video I linked above.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

You first need to turn the text into a compound shape using the Pathfinder panel.

There need to be two fills on the object,

Then apply the transform effect to shift the fills AND make a copy

Then apply Pathfinder subtract to both of the fills.

Like this: https://youtu.be/0J8bcvlPh40

Further explanation (but different example)

https://youtu.be/qeU84BPCu7c

smashkirkAuthor

Inspiring

This is close, but for some reason it's not working. I have 2 fills, and I'm adding the Path > Outline Object to each fill. Then I'm grouping them. And then on the group adding a Subtract, and it's almost working. It seems to only subtract one number not both. This tells me maybe the Outline Object is not working?

Monika Gause

Community Expert

THere is no group in my example. Please share your AI file.

You need to change the file extension to PDF first. Then you can share it.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

You mean Exclude?

Does a Fill > None work instead?

smashkirkAuthor

Inspiring

Yes, I meant Exclude. But no, fill none doesn't work.

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