Expand appearance greyed out in Illustrator

[patd61312907]

I am following a tutorial. One of the steps is to expand appearance. However this option is greyed out and I do not know why. I am following to a "T" and I cannot access expand appearance. help!!

{Renamed by MOD}

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Expand appearance is only active when there is an appearance (an effect, a brush or anything else which is special). There probably is none, so you might want to tell us what exactly you have and what you want to achieve.

[patd61312907]

Thank you. I drew a circle, colored it orange, then created a 45º pie shape. From there I wanted to expand the appearance before adding an offset path. This is where expand appearance was greyed out.

[Monika Gause]

And you created the pie shape how? By using the shape widgets? So far there is nothing you need to expand.

[patd61312907]

Yes, by going to shapes and selecting 45º. I am following a YouTube tutorial and this is exactly how she is doing it.

[patd61312907]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c82CAnZSS74

[meganchi]

Skip the expanding appearance. It isn't necessary to do that step to offset the path. But, if you feel you need to expand, then choose "expand" and don't worry about "expand appearance" being greyed out. You can then complete the rest of the tutorial.

[Doug A Roberts]

There is an appearance of some sort applied to the ellipse, as we can see in the layers panel. But we have no way of telling what it is or why is there from that video. It doesn't need to be, certainly.

[PatriciaGD]

Thank you all for your valuable input.  Happy 2022!

[Srishti Bali]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for reaching out. I would request if you can try these steps:

• Create a Circle
• Select the Circle and click on Shape on top 
• Change the Pie End Angle to 45
  

• Without touching anything on the Artboard or screen, go to Edit >  Expand experience. Take a look at this GIF.
  

For more details you can also take a look at this help article: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/using/grouping-expanding-objects.html

Let us know if that helps or if you have any further query.

Regards,

Srishti

[22339473amnz]

Hi I'm trying to make an isometric typography but it's not letting me expand appearance.  
https://youtu.be/r4i24O_RqLU

I am following this link step to step and it's not letting me expand apparently someone help.

[Ton Frederiks]

Which version do you use and do you use the 3D (Classic) option?

[michelles85723712]

omg same! It's not working I tried both updated and classic and it will expand, but it donsn't break it down into separated shapes....will post back if I figure it out!

[patd61312907]

Thank you... its so weird! 🙂

[michelles85723712]

so, so far I just went ahead and created outlines first. then did the classic 3d, moved it around to where i wanted it and THEN expanded...idk seemed to work for me....at least this time lol.