path through middle of a shape (text)

[defaults44yhzxr91bw]

I'm trying to create a single line path of a font. I don't need the outline, I just need one line that goes along the text. I can't seem to find anything online, so I'm trying my luck here. 

It's for a plotter, so it just needs to be a single path. 

The screenshot shows the text I want to convert. Obviously when I use the outline, it's 2 lines on the outside.

[Jacob Bugge · Accepted solution]

defaults,

You can do it in a number of roundabout ways with different levels of quality and work, unless you prefer to find a single line font

1) An easy way could be Image Trace, remember to set Strokes and sufficient Stroke, and Ignore White,

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace.html

Strokes

Creates stroked paths in the tracing result.

Stroke

Specifies the maximum width of features in the original image that can be stroked. Features larger than the maximum width become outlined areas in the tracing result.

2) A tough way could be to trace the writing with the Pen Tool, on top of the locked writing.

3) A really roundabout way could be to cut up the outlines and use 1 step blend, then piece together, but that would be more obvious with certain other kinds of fonts.

[Monika Gause]

With that example you can completely forget Image Trace. It just won't give you what you want. Particularly not since you want it for a plotter.

The Blend method will leave you with so much work, that it's no improvement from just drawing it with the pen tool.