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roshmon
Participant
August 16, 2017
Answered

Edit paths contained in an envelope

  • August 16, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 3206 views

I have a number of paths (roads) on one layer.  To that layer I applied an envelope distortion of "warp" in order for the road map (square) to fit a land area on a globe (conical section).

The selected area looks good with the envelope, and fits the underlying geographical area perfectly.  Unfortunately, as long as the envelope is part of the layer, I am unable to edit any of the paths.  The only way I can edit any of the paths are to either use expand, which removes the warp effect. or to use release, which returns the paths to their pre-warped locations (as well as adding to the layer a gray background).

How can I apply a warp to a layer while still leaving the objects contained within to be editable while retaining their warped shape?   Said another way, how can I warp a layer with a warp envelope but then have the envelop go away, leaving the warped layer behind?

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    Correct answer roshmon

    Okay, I played around and I found out how to do this.  This is a two-step process in which you select the layer in question, choose "Edit Envelope", and then select "Expand", in that order.  Probably obvious to more adept users, but I am rather new to illustrator.

    After completing both of those two steps (Edit then Expand) I am left with the properly-warped road layer without the pesky envelope preventing me from editing it.

    Kurt: This is for the current version of Illustrator CC (21.1.0)

    Michele, yes, choosing "Edit Contents" gives me an editable version of the original paths, and I can see the change on the warped layer.

    2 replies

    R
    roshmonAuthorCorrect answer
    Participant
    August 16, 2017

    Okay, I played around and I found out how to do this.  This is a two-step process in which you select the layer in question, choose "Edit Envelope", and then select "Expand", in that order.  Probably obvious to more adept users, but I am rather new to illustrator.

    After completing both of those two steps (Edit then Expand) I am left with the properly-warped road layer without the pesky envelope preventing me from editing it.

    Kurt: This is for the current version of Illustrator CC (21.1.0)

    Michele, yes, choosing "Edit Contents" gives me an editable version of the original paths, and I can see the change on the warped layer.

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 16, 2017

    Are you perhaps looking for Object > Envelope Distort > Edit Contents?

    R
    roshmonAuthor
    Participant
    August 16, 2017

    Hi, I did try that, but it undoes the effect of the warp on the paths contained within the layer, making the layer look as it was in the pre-warp configuration.

    When the layer has been warped, the warped layer (using the arc function) is contained within a larger rectangular box; in this state I cannot directly select or edit any of the paths in the layer.  Once I hit "edit contents" the layer returns to it's pre-warp appearance.

    michelew83603738
    Community Expert
    michelew83603738Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 16, 2017

    Try expanding the appearance.

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