How do I outline grouped objects

[Darling72]

Sorry for what si probably a basic question.

I have a file that si made up of several lines (pic 1 red), I want an outline of this as an editable path, how can I do this in illustrator? merging shapes leads to the whole file becoming a single red square, and effects-pathfinder-outline in incomplete (pic 2).

I can manage to get what I want in inkscape (pic 3), so I'm sure it's possible but would like a workflow all in one program!

[Simmer1]

You can select all the paths and Goup them: Object > Group.

After you group them you can edit them by double clicking on the group and going into isolation mode.

You could also select all and turn the paths into symbols. Then edit the path in the same way.

[Darling72 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for you help but that wasn't working for me.

I did find the solution though,

Object -- path -- outline stroke,  then just merge with the pathfinder tool.  For whatever reason I couldn't get outline stroke to work for me before

[Simmer1]

Glad to hear that!