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I
ipanema451
Known Participant
April 5, 2026
Answered

outlining a bunch of strokes with a path

  • April 5, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 30 views

I have a file that was handed to me.  It is a drawing of a power pylon made with a bunch of strokes of varying thickness.  There is no fill just a bunch of parallel strokes.  I would like to “outline” the silhouette made by all these strokes with a path for laser cutting.  Pathfinder/unite did not work.  What is the best way to accomplish this?

 

    Correct answer Kurt Gold

    This should work:

    - Select all
    - Object menu > Path > Outline Stroke
    - Pathfinder panel: Unite

    You should now get one single compound path.

    1 reply

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 5, 2026

    You had a similar request recently in conjunction with Live Paint. It was helpful to share a sample Illustrator file.

     

    In this case it would also be helpful to share a sample file for inspection.

    I
    ipanema451Author
    Known Participant
    April 5, 2026

    here is the file… thank you...

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    April 5, 2026

    This should work:

    - Select all
    - Object menu > Path > Outline Stroke
    - Pathfinder panel: Unite

    You should now get one single compound path.

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