Is there a way to convert text to a stroke instead of a filled path?

[Christine Holzmann]

Hi all,

I just thought I would ask... and it may be impossible... Is there a way to convert text to a stroke/strokes instead of a filled path?

Thank you,

Christine

[Jacob Bugge]

Christine,

If you want it as editable Type, you can just:

1) In the Toolbox tick None for fill which makes the Type invisible;

2) In the Appearance palette flyout click Add New Stroke.

With this you have a stroke/nofill editable Type. You may change the Stroke Weight and Stroke colour.

You can also Type>Create Outlines, then switch from Fill to Stroke at the bottom of the Toolbox as with any (compound) path.

[Christine Holzmann]

Jacob,

Thank you for responding - I appreciate it. I don't think I explained myself properly earlier though... let me try again:)

When converting the text to outlines, is it possible to convert it to a stroke/strokes instead of filled paths?

[Jacob Bugge]

You are welcome, Christine.

Are we talking about an appearance with a single stroke at the centre, like a spine path?

If so, there are fonts of that kind.

If you wish to change the appearance of an existing normal font, there is some work in it, which may involve creating blends between (parts) of the paths that form opposite boundaries of the letters.

There have been some threads about it which may be exhumed.

[Christine Holzmann]

Jacob,

Yes... I am talking about a single stroke at the centre.... like a spine path:) I was wondering if this could be one with existing (normal) fonts. I am really curious about this because it would be SO wonderful when creating new logos. I do understand some work would be involved. But it would be a dream when extending the tail ends of letters. I use the VectorScribe plugin for Illustrator and the "ExtendPath" feature is absolutely amazing (you just extend the end of a path by dragging....and it extends it in the direction of the original curve).

[Jacob Bugge]

Christine,

This thread has some specific suggestions for different letters/cases:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5712288#5712288

[W_J_T]

Jacob Bugge wrote:

This thread has some specific suggestions for different letters/cases:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5712288#5712288

These may be helpful also:

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/987169?start=0&tstart=0

http://forums.adobe.com/message/1258003

[Jacob Bugge]

Indeed, WJT.

I was unable to find those two, although I remembered the first one.

[Christine Holzmann]

Jacob and WJT, I want to say THANK YOU so much for taking the time you did to find me those threads:). That is so very helpful! I really *really* appreciate your help and time spent with this:)

For any others that may come across this thread, click here for a wonderful pdf that explains how to covert text to centerlines manually and is exactly what I need...came from one of the threads you linked to above:))

Best,

Christine

[W_J_T]

You're very welcome. Keep us posted with what you discover concerning techniques and results.

[Jacob Bugge]

Christine,

Everything WJT said.

[Neon Nights]

This is the best method I've seen so far, it would be brillant to see this method in a video format. 
If you have given up on an automatic method this video has some good tips for tracing letters

Neon Nights Custom Neon Signs

[tomc80120163 · Accepted solution]

down vote

THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO TYPE YOUR TEXT THEN RASTERISE AND IMAGE TRACE WITH single LINE ART . I JUST POSTED A VIDEO ON YOU TUBE SHOWING HOW TO DO THIS.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi-soCp7dbc Cheers. Tom.

[Christine Holzmann]

Thanks so much Tom!! LOVED your method!!

[jbobbbbbb]

I have been looking for a way to do this for months!!! So simple, thank you.