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A
anakela
Participant
June 17, 2023
Question

How do I make the outline/edges of my paths transparent?

  • June 17, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 719 views

Hi there!  I have a pretty complex image that's made primary out of paths, which create individual shapes that I've grouped together in Illustrator.  (Please see the image below.)

These are currently outlined in white, but I want their outlines to be transparent so that whichever background the image is placed on will show through.  How do I accomplish something like this?  Thank you in advance!

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1 reply

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 17, 2023

Select one of those paths with the white stroke using the direct selection tool.

Select > Same > Stroke color.

In the Appearance panel set the opacity of just the stroke to 0%

Then group everything

For the group select the option "Knockout group" in the transparency panel.

 

You might need to go into CPU preview since the GPU preview is still not very well compatible with knockout groups.

A
anakelaAuthor
Participant
June 26, 2023

Aloha, Monika!  Thank you so much.  After I go to Select > Same > Stroke color, the stroke options in the Appearance panel disappear.  Is there a way to show this once more so that I can follow the steps you listed?  Thank you in advance!

    A
    anakelaAuthor
    Participant
    September 5, 2023

    When you select single paths that have the same appearance with the direct selection tool, they will re-appear. You can also select one path and then Select > Same > Stroke color


    Hi, @Monika Gause !  Thank you so much for your answer.  I was able to get this done, but for me, I had to go to Select > Same > Stroke weight. 🙂

     

    I can see the edges of the files are transparent now if I save the file in AI or PNG, but not for certain stroked paths that are on top of other paths if I save the file as in SVG format.  (Please see the screenshots below.)  Could you please advise what I might be doing wrong?  Thank you in advance!

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