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H
HugoM-01
Known Participant
June 13, 2015
Answered

Can't expand strokes

  • June 13, 2015
  • 12 replies
  • 69662 views

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.

    Correct answer ClaranceFarley

    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.

    12 replies

    Show previous replies
    Kortjohn
    Kortjohn
    Participating Frequently
    June 14, 2015

    You, sir, have a compound path.  go to Object --> Compound Path --> Release  (edit:  make sure you have it all selected)
    Youll notice it will be a lot easier to work with.  It wont be like a normal expanded fill and stroke but youll be able to separate everything and work with it normally.

    Also in terms of setting your stroke alignment without even releasing a compound path.  Go to your appearances panel in window-->appearance, double click contents, then keep clicking contents (as more will popup as sub groups) eventually youll see stroke and fill and all that good stuff.  In the appearance panel they are links so clicking them will bring up the appropriate panel and you'll be able to set the stroke alignment.

    If you are not using appearances, id suggest looking into it.  Often times itll help you diagnose quirks like this, as once you get through all the "contents" appearances youll see "compound path" at the top of the panel informing you what the core object is.  Not to mention using appearances allows you to remove and edit effects that otherwise would be permanent.  (it is  a lot like the concept of non-destructive editing for vector files)

      H
      HugoM-01Author
      Known Participant
      June 14, 2015

      That did seem to work, but I don't know why. I've always worked with Compound Paths because they make styling with the Appearance panel much simpler. Even if it's a centered stroke that's underneath the type layer. I tried to recreate how I got into this "stuck" position, but the bottom text behaves as it's intended, despite having the same properties in the Layers panel and Appearance panel, unless there's something I'm forgetting.

      https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/42704237/help2.ai

      I can expand the bottom one and get expanded strokes, but not the one at the top. How are they different enough to warrant this behavior?

      rcraighead
      rcraighead
      Legend
      June 14, 2015

      Try "Flatten Transparency" instead.

        Kortjohn
        Kortjohn
        Participating Frequently
        June 14, 2015

        Try "Flatten Transparency" instead.

        This isnt a terrible answer.  But its a bit like killing a cockroach with a machine gun.  When push really comes to shove, its a panacea of sorts.  There are actually a ton of solutions for this problem.  Sometimes you can simply Cut, paste in place or paste in front and then ungroup and suddenly it is all good.  Always keep an eye on appearances panel to find out exactly what you have and layers panel to see the whole structure at once.

        D
        dishasaurabh
        Participant
        October 30, 2025

        Kortjohn, If it works why do you feel the need to make fun of the solution? Just offer your own solution.


        This didnt work for me. The stroke is well. still a stroke. And clicking on expand didnt even show up the popup menu

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