Inspiring

Answered

Create a border

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 24, 2021
8 replies
1198 views

Whats the fastest way to make a outer border outline around the whole vector object?

[ attachment inserted as inline image by moderator ]

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Dan Rodney

Select all the artwork.
Group it (Object > Group).
In the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance) Add a New Stroke (button at bottom left).
Drag the new stroke below Contents.
In the Appearance panel select the Stroke.
Choose Effect > Pathfiner > Add.
With the stroke still selected in Appearance panel, choose Effect > Path > Offset Path.
Choose a desired Offset amount and click OK.

Hope that helps!

NOTE: If you need to edit anything inside the group, use the Group Selection or Direct Selection tools (or double-click to go into the group). Do not ungroup it or you will loose the appearance (which creates the outline). As you adjust the contents of the group, the outline will automatically update.

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

@JayIKEA

Have you been successful?

JayIKEAAuthor

Inspiring

yes, it worked out. Thanks so much

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

Hi Dan,

two souls - one thought.

But - we are already a little further.

😉

Dan Rodney

Correct answer

Community Expert

Select all the artwork.
Group it (Object > Group).
In the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance) Add a New Stroke (button at bottom left).
Drag the new stroke below Contents.
In the Appearance panel select the Stroke.
Choose Effect > Pathfiner > Add.
With the stroke still selected in Appearance panel, choose Effect > Path > Offset Path.
Choose a desired Offset amount and click OK.

Hope that helps!

NOTE: If you need to edit anything inside the group, use the Group Selection or Direct Selection tools (or double-click to go into the group). Do not ungroup it or you will loose the appearance (which creates the outline). As you adjust the contents of the group, the outline will automatically update.

— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

activate the stroke in Appearance Panel
add menu: Effect --> Pathfinder --> Add ( ! to the stroke)
choose menu: Object --> Expand Appearance

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

Ok.

Because of your last answer (additional to my previous post):

a new fill is not needed - but a new stroke
and I think you don't need the effect

JayIKEAAuthor

Inspiring

Ok, i see the outline. How do I select the outline and put it on its own layer?

[ attachment inserted as inline image by moderator ]

JayIKEAAuthor

Inspiring

I want to cut this graphic out on the cutting machine... so I need to make an outline of the whole object, so the cutter can cut alot the edges of the graphic.

In photoshop, i would just select outside the object, invert the selection, and create a path....

Is there a similar workflow in Illustrator?

pixxxelschubser

Community Expert

Click on the circle right beside your layer name and open the Appearance Panel.
Add a new fill (to the layer) in Appearance Panel.
Drag this new fill below contents in Appearance Panel.
Add menu: Effect --> Path --> Offset Path with your wished settings.

Done

jane-e

Community Expert

It's not clear what you are asking. If you want one border around the entire object, then remove the strokes from the individual objects first, then with the Group selected, add a stroke to the Group using the Appearance panel.

Is that what you are asking?

~ Jane

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded