Line objects expanded on creation of a pattern in AI cc 2018

[designu46483552]

Hi,

Anyone know if this is the default behaviour when creating a pattern in AI?

I'd have thought it would be better to leave the decision as to whether to expand paths or not to the users.

Unfortunately my AI expands them as soon as I choose to make a pattern.

I'm making a pattern where it would be really useful to be able to change the line weight later, if you see what I mean.

Cheers,

Design

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you share an example AI file with those lines (before they get expanded)?

[Ton Frederiks]

Or did you use any width profile on the paths?

[Monika Gause]

... or a calligraphy brush?

[designu46483552]

Thanks for the replies folks.

Not a profile on the paths I think, just default arrowhead types.

Tried adding the .ai file itself but apparently Illustrator forum does not allow the sharing of illustrator files?

Here's a DB link to it, many thanks

Dropbox - LM griddify tester.ai

[Andrei Koziakov]

I've tried to create pattern from your graphics, but lines still there and stroke weight can be changed (excluding arrowheads effect rectangles and circles of course). Can you check once again exactly with this document?

[Ton Frederiks]

Yes, as mentioned, the paths are still paths, but the arrowheads get expanded.

I am afraid that there is not much you can do about this.

[designu46483552]

Thanks guys- yes- it's all working fine now (following a restart).

The arrowheads being expanded still is an annoying issue, one I think I might be able to fix with some custom arrowheads.

We'll see.

Many thanks!

[Ton Frederiks]

If you can fix the arrowheads being expanded, please let us know.

It looks like a standard behaviour for all arrowhead in a pattern.

[designu46483552 · Accepted solution]

Good news folks-
AI's arrowheads are pre-expanded in their resource file but, as you can overwrite that file with one bearing your own custom arrowheads, you can just make un-expanded duplicates of whichever ones you like and save them.

If you switch to these arrowheads in your artwork then, when you make it a Pattern, you can Double-click to edit that pattern fill at anytime and change it's stroke weight.
Demo image here. Original file NDA.

[Ton Frederiks]

Very smart!

Glad you solved your own problem 🙂