Skip to main content
wckdtall
wckdtall
Inspiring
August 16, 2017
Answered

Is there a way to apply a group appearance to a single path easily?

  • August 16, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 1601 views

I often find myself with files that have a group with 1 single path in them, but with an appearance as simple as overlay 80% is applied to the group. Dragging the appearance from the group to the path clears it's fill/appearance, leaving it empty. Doesn't seem that I can expand these as it then creates even more shapes, and seems like the only way is still to simply find out what the appearance is from the group, and manually adjust the path to have the same appearance. Is there a simple way to collapse the appearance onto the shape? Currently I'm looking at about 100 shapes in 1 file like this, and while the group works, I'd also like to have tidy files.

I'm on Illustrator 2015.3, Mac OS 10.12.5.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Ton Frederiks

    As far as I understand, you try to apply a Graphic Style/Appearance that was create for a group to a non grouped object.

    That will indeed clear the stroke and fill attributes of the object.

    You can try to first group the new object and then apply the Graphic Style.

    Or, with the non grouped object selected; Option (or Alt) click the Graphic style to add it.

    4 replies

    rcraighead
    rcraighead
    Legend
    August 16, 2017

    I see exactly what you mean; dragging a group appearance to an ungrouped object replaces the object appearance. Ton's suggestion of "Option" clicking a Graphic Style works when applying a style from the Style Panel but not when dragging using the radio button in the Layers Panel, instead, it duplicates the appearance. It would be helpful to have a modifier key that would ADD to the existing appearance of an object.

      Jeff Witchel, ACI
      Community Expert
      Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 16, 2017

      I think the problem here is that you can apply an Appearance to a entire Group OR to the Contents of that Group. If you applied the Appearance to the Contents of the Group, dragging the Thumbnail of the Group listing will have NO Appearance applied to it. If you want to apply the Appearance of the objects within the Group, select a single object within that Group with the Direct Selection tool, then drag the Thumbnail to your unselected object.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 16, 2017

      https://forums.adobe.com/people/Jeff+Witchel%2C+ACI  wrote

      If you applied the Appearance to the Contents of the Group, dragging the Thumbnail of the Group listing will have NO Appearance applied to it.

      Actually, the group appearance will be applied, but because the group does not have a stroke or fill color, you cannot see it.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      August 16, 2017

      As far as I understand, you try to apply a Graphic Style/Appearance that was create for a group to a non grouped object.

      That will indeed clear the stroke and fill attributes of the object.

      You can try to first group the new object and then apply the Graphic Style.

      Or, with the non grouped object selected; Option (or Alt) click the Graphic style to add it.

        Jeff Witchel, ACI
        Community Expert
        Jeff Witchel, ACICommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 16, 2017

        Not sure I'm understanding your question.

        But apply the Appearance to all the Contents with your Group. Then create a Graphic Style of that Appearance. Then apply the Graphic Style to the individual objects.

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 16, 2017

        Please share a sample file on Dropbox or the like.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices