When do you use the option "expand"?

[winster]

Hey there creators, 

I was wondering when exactly you use the option "expand" or "expand appearance" in illustrator? 

It would also be nice to have a clearer understanding of the following functions: Create outline, Compound path, Group and ungroup. 

From what I have understood so far...you use create outline whenever you are working with text so you can work with it. Compound path is when you want an object to merge with the other object and grouping and ungrouping is simply putting them together or having them individually. Am I correct? 

Looking forward to your response! 

Thank you!

[Monika Gause]

All the expanding funtions convert live effects or live attributes into something that is no longer live. They do it to different extents. So "Flatten transparency" is somewhat crashing down on everything, while Outline text only tackles live text.

Those functions have to be used cautiously, because your base shapes are no longer easily editable (you cannot edit text after having expanded it, same goes for strokes. But sometimes it has to happen. There are alternatives for some things, such as using pathfinder effects instead of the panel. Or embedding fonts into a PDF instead of outlining the text.

You need to decide from case to case if it is really necessary to expand.

[winster]

So, when would you actually use the option "expand appearance"? In what scenarios? 

[Monika Gause]

When I need it. And those scenarios vary.

Is this a test? your homework?

[winster]

I'm just learning Illustrator right now and the guy uses the option expand appearance sometimes, but he doesn't really explain what it is used for so that's why I'm asking here 🙂 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Maybe you should watch another tutorial. It's not good if they can't explain why they do something.

The 2 main reasons for expanding are:

1. you need to do it because the output process absolutely requires you to do it. Example: cutting foil with a plotter. Other example: the final version of a logo that is delivered to the client for output. The text needs to be outlined in order to prevent bad changes from happening either by accident or on purpose.

2. you need to do it when you want to edit the object in a way that is not possible otherwise: example: In a logo you want to customize some letters of the name. Or you want to customize details of a brushstroke.

Before expanding you need to be sure that everything else is fine. The client needs to have signed off the font or needs to have settled on the width of the brushstroke that you plan to edit.

For this extreme makeover to happen you need to outline the text:

But now you cannot change the font anymore or correct a typo.

[winster]

Thank you very much for this 🙂 I really appreciate it