Can't expand strokes

[HugoM-01]

This annoying problem tends to happen when I create really complex effects in the Appearance panel. Now, I have this compound path that has a stroke, but I can't expand the stroke to a fill like any other shape. I've even isolated it onto its own document and still the problem persists. What did I mess up and how can I turn these strokes to outlines?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/42704237/help.ai

I am on Illustrator CS5 (from the CS5.5 suite) on Windows 8.1.

I've never encountered this problem before and apparently no one else has either. Expand only makes the compound path a group each time. The stroke align seems to have something to do with it, but it's essential that I outline it in the "center" mode.

[chrisn61347309]

Since I reinstalled windows and had to download illustrator again I had this problem not being able to explain my strokes. Before I never had to do anything wierd just to make me able to expland my strokes but using the pathfinder/divide now is not all that bad which makes me able to expand. thanks

[ClaranceFarley · Accepted solution]

The problem

This happens because the stroke you're trying to expand is a compound path and not really a single stroke as it appears.

How to solve it

Select the path or group of paths you'd like to expand, under object, go to compound path, and select release (Alt+Shift+Ctrl+8).

Hope this helps.

[HugoM-01]

It's been more than 7 years since I reported this. And even on the current version of Illustrator, this happens.

But it's true, this happens because it's a compound path, but it doesn't seem to be consistent. For example, if I convert a shape to a compound path, or make a simple donut shape Compound Path, expanding strokes works as expected. It's only when I try to Expand a Compound Path within a Compound Path where it just turns it into a group. This cannot be intentional because it just doesn't feel intuitive.

I tried reproducing the steps in a recording and it was difficult to do so, but I kind of understand when it happens. It almost seems random since I swear I did the steps the same way, then when I went to record it, it didn't work. But please check out the recording.

First, I turn both separate Ellipses into a Compound Path. Then I draw another ellipse over the big one to punch it out with the Shape Builder tool. Attempting to Expand the result turned it into a Group and did not Expand strokes. I undo and then turn it into a Group instead. Then I repeat the hole punch-out step. This time, Expand did work.

And I know one time I tried this, it even added the stray circle to a group it was never even in, but I couldn't reproduce it.

It's certainly odd.

[HugoM-01]

In fact, observe these two seemingly identical Compound Paths. Because of how the one on the right was created, it won't Expand. But the one on the left will. Is this not a bug?

[Monika Gause]

Object > Path > Outline stroke does not do it?

[HugoM-01]

Sorry for the late reply but I'm just now following up on this. If the stroke gets stuck such as in the example video I provided, Object > Path > Outline Stroke does actually outline the stroke. However, on the original file I provided, it still won't work on the stroked letters.

[Monika Gause]

If it works sometimes, but not other times, then it's likely a corrupt file or corrupt objects.

[twinbrush]

I'd agree with @Monika Gause If there's a specific file that gives you this issue, there's sometihng unique to that file...an issue with stray points, an open path or, who knows. I've had the same issue and I can't quite put my finger on why it happens with some files or objects an not with others. Just check to see that there isn't a hidden sublayer in there with some appearance attribute. Its honestly such a head frying issue, I can find no consistency in objects/paths that cause this issue and those that dont.

One thing that always seems to work for me however is, prior to expanding the objects, is to select it/them, then go to Object > Flatten transparency then try expanding. Just make sure to set the Flatten transparency to 300dpi, (The maximum resolution and detail settings).

Hopefully that works. Doesn't help in figuring out why this seems to sporadically happen though. 

[Monika Gause]

Sublayers with appearance attributes are a good thing and usually do not cause issues in themselves.

Corrupt objects just can happen to anything.

[MindGems]

Yes, this is more of a bug than anything. the problem has been there for years and years. Current version in august 2023 still has it. And its super unreliable, you can hit expand 3 times and sometimes the third time works so...

The problem with going into compound path and release it is that you're actually trying to combine the outline and fill so you want that done in a single click, it completely sabotage the workflow to deselect and select just the keyline and release that and then do the whole thing all over again because compound path is not selectable while the layer with both fill and outline is selected.

So fix this bug once for all. Some of us has to do this action 1000 times every day so its a very very annoying thing to encounter.

[Monika Gause]

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@MindGems  schrieb:

Yes, this is more of a bug than anything. the problem has been there for years and years.

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If you encounter it, please upload the file.

Also: if you want something fixed, then this is not your channel. This public forum is 95% volunteers. We cannot fix anything. You want to post to https://illustrator.uservoice.com