Can I add a stroke around a weighted/width stroke?

[Franky Spills]

Hey Everyone.

I'm a bit stummped on a simple object I'm trying to create.

I've created a filagree type curve.  Added about 2pt's to it to thicken it... then I did a width manipulation to add a bit of "shape" to the curve.  

Now I want to create a stroke around this stroke without exapnding it. I don't want to loose the editability of the original stroke.  Any thoughts?

I tried adding another stroke through the appearance menu... but it doesn't maintain the width manipulations it just adds a straight stroke ontop of the original.

See attached image.  Hope it helps and hope I explained it well.

I was wondering if there was a way to add a stroke with a filter or anything???

The curve in the middle of the attached image. I expanded and then did a fill and stroke.  But I can no longer edit the original curve.

Thanks!!!!

[Kurt Gold]

Yes, it should be possible.

Can you share a sample Illustrator file with the object in question? Also, provide some further instructions in case you think it may help to get an appropriate solution.

[Franky Spills]

Sure thing.  Here is an AI file. I have some thoughts written down in it.

Thanks!!

[Monika Gause]

Variable width profiles are an attribute of the stroke, not the path. So you would need to apply it to the black stroke as well.

If you do not need it flexible, then you could just create a graphic style with the 2 strokes with their respective width profiles.

[Franky Spills]

Thanks.  That's what I was afraid of.  Copying the variable width of each stroke and applying it to the black stoke as well is too much.  I have a lot of different strokes.  

I do want to maintain flexability.

I did find a bit of a soltion.  I put an outer glow around the variable width stroke.  It doesn't get as thick or as dense as I'd like and it has a bit of a drop shadow to it but it works enough for this particular purpose...

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

All those outlined variable strokes are on top?

Put them all on their own layer.

Then select all the objects and apply Effect < Path > Outline stroke

Target the layer and in the appearance panel (Window > Appearance) add a new stroke to it.

Move that stroke below the "Contents" in the Appearance panel.

[Franky Spills]

Won't I lose editablitly of the original path when I outline it?  I need to keep editability.

Thanks.

[Doug A Roberts · Accepted solution]

Outline stroke is an 'effect'. It doesn't alter the original paths, it just enables them to act as if they are outljned.

[Franky Spills]

excellent!  That make sense.  I'll give it a try this afternoon.  Thanks!

[Franky Spills]

Tried this process today and it works great.   Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks everyone.  Had issues at first then realized I didn't put the new "stroke" in appearances under contents of the target layer.  Works like a charm after that.

[Doug A Roberts]

Edit: misread the post slightly, I'll think further then edit this.