Font/object outline option "behind object"?

[KlausKi]

Migrating from CorelDRAW I'd like to add outline to text in Adobe Illustrator.

Currently, in Illustrator I cannot find an option to put an object's (text's) outline behind the object.

Here's what I would be doing in CorelDRAW (adding text, adding outline to text, put outline behind text, change outline from mitered to round):

Your help is appreciated.

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

Select the text object (only fill colour is applied). Go to the Appearance palette and add a new stroke. Then drag the Stroke item below the Type item.

[angie_taylor]

Here's more information about the Appearance panel;

The Appearance Panel in Illustrator - YouTube

[KlausKi]

Thanks, Kurt & Angie, for your valuable help! Excellent answers, which were very enlightening to me.

[Jacob Bugge]

Klaus,

Now that Kurt and Angie have answered the question fully, and now that we have safely reached Midfall, there may be time for a silly question:

Which stroke alignment (equivalent construction) is best (depending on font(s), colours, other artwork, background (if any), moon, stars, sun, time of night/day)?

[angie_taylor]

Not sure I understand your question? Can you explain or upload a screenshot of what you want to do?

[Jacob Bugge]

Angie, this is the question (about (opinions on) preference/preferableness):

[angie_taylor]

It very much depends on each given situation. If the Stroke is behind the Fill then you can set the Stroke width nice and chunky and still be able to read the text. If the Stroke is in front of the fill then I generally prefer it to sit outside the edge when using it on text but there are other times, when applying it to shapes, that I would align it on the inside or middle.

Occasionally I've put it on the inside to "slim down" a font. This isn't usually a good idea but it works with some of the chunkier fonts.

Hope this helps?

[Jacob Bugge]

Angie,

As I understand it your general preference is outside (regardless of moon, stars, sun, time of night/day). Is it the same for the cases shown?

[angie_taylor]

Yes but you also need to adjust the Kerning of the letters to compensate