Is there a fast way or a script to offset only the outside path of a compound path

Question

I work a lot with Chinese characters where I need to make lines thicker without making inner holes smaller. Looking at the following photo, I need to transfer from 1 to 2 fast using a simple tool or a script.

What I usually do is I write the text and outline it to get a compound path, release, selecting the lines that I want to offset outwards manually (I don't select the inner holes), Effect>Path>Offset Path with rounded edges, Expand Appearance. Please note that the resulted paths are not united.

Choosing the paths that I want to offset manually takes a long time because I do many of these each day. The example I provided is only for one character, but I usually do names and phrases in Chinese.

The final result does'nt have to be a compound path. If each path was in a different layer it would be okay. I've also found out that working in the outline mode is better for the method I am using. I don't prefer the outline view but I am welling to adapt to it if there is no other solution.

The following photo shows in red where I need the offset to be. It is just an image to clarify what I need to do.

Is there an easy way or a script to offset only that outside path without selecting the paths manually?

Thank you in advance.

CarlosCanto · Accepted Answer

Quouting the steps I was doing "What I usually do is I write the text and outline it to get a compound path, release, selecting the lines that I want to offset outwards manually (I don't select the inner holes), Effect>Path>Offset Path with rounded edges, Expand Appearance. Please note that the resulted paths are not united."

Maybe there is a way to choose the lines that I want to offset outwards automatically using a script. Since all paths are in separate layers, it would be great if I select all of them and then the script should choose all paths and exclude the ones inside. Typically, in the Layers window, the ones inside usually are above the layer that includes the path they are located on.

try this script, select one or more path items after expanding the compound paths.

Groups, text, compoundpaths, etc will be also deselected. Only path items will be selected when the script ends.

// deselectHolesAndNoPaths
// carlos canto 2/5/24;
// https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/is-there-a-fast-way-or-a-script-to-offset-only-the-outside-path-of-a-compound-path/m-p/14402535#M396285

function main() {

    try {var idoc = app.activeDocument;}
    catch (e) {alert ('open a document and try again'); return };

    if (idoc.selection.length == 0) {
        alert('select one or more pathItems and try again');
        return;
    }

    var sel = idoc.selection;
    
    var item;
    
    for (var a = sel.length-1; a>=0; a--) {

        item = sel[a]; 
        if (item.typename == "PathItem") {
            if (item.polarity == PolarityValues.NEGATIVE) {
                item.selected = false;
            }
        }
        else {
            item.selected = false;
        }
    }
}

main ();

renél80416020 · Answer

Bonjour,Exemple (à partir d'une image copie d'écran vectorisée rapidement ce qui explique la mauvaise qualitédu tracé)Placer l’ensemble dans un calqueCibler le calqueAspect > ajouter un nouveau contour (au dessus)Effet > tracé > Vectoriser le contourDans le panneau aspect fair glisser le contour sous le contenuLes nouveaux objets créés auront le même contourRenéOn peut également cibler un groupe.

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