Convert Fill to Stroke in Illustrator CS5

[sm56464591]

I see loads of info to convert strokes to shapes, but is there an easy way to do the opposite, shapes back to strokes?

I have a dieline that has been coverted to outlines and is now made up of filled shapes, mostly rectangles, but some curves (rounded corners on a box flap). Is there an easy way to convert that back to stroked lines in Illustrator CS5? I need to convert the shapes back to a stroke that represents the middle of the shape width.

[rcraighead]

"Easy" is a relative term.

I would measure the width of the "shape" (converted line) then run an "Offset Path" Effect at half the width (it might need to be a negative number). If the outlined shape is "closed" shape, it will be made of two paths. You can delete one, using the direct selection tool and run the "Offset Path" on the single line. Once you have the line where it should be "Expand" effect to make it an editable stroke. Clear as mud?

This process will not create efficient rounded corners and you may find it easier to just redraw the lines from scratch. That's not what you wanted to hear.

[sm56464591]

Thanks. I tried this and yes it works, but sadly still many things to tidy up still to get that clean dieline. SO surprised it's not as easy as it seems.

[Jacob Bugge]

sm,

In posts #7 & 8 here,

Re: Convert a solid filled shape into a single line.

you can see demonstrations of two ways, with Offset Path as described by Ray (#8) and with Blend (#7); either may be preferable depending on the specific case, and either can be very accurate.

[rcraighead]

Yes, in this case you're probably better off starting over. It's still easier than using a rapidograph.