Stroking Shapes: An Impossible Illusion

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When using graphic design software, you may encounter difficulties when trying to apply a stroke to a shape. This issue has been reported by users of various programs, including Adobe Illustrator, Moho, and Photoshop. In some cases, the stroke may not appear on the object, even though the software indicates that it has been applied. Other times, the stroke may not be editable, or it may create unexpected results when converted into a shape. To address these issues, users have suggested checking the opacity settings, clearing the appearance, enabling the stroke manually, or using workarounds to create the desired effect. It is important to explore the specific tools and settings available in your chosen software to effectively manage strokes and shapes.

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You can't change the outline of a stroke like you can with a shape

When using Adobe Illustrator, it is important to understand the difference between strokes and shapes. While the Pen tool draws strokes, it does not draw lines as a newcomer might expect. If you want to manipulate a stroke as you would a shape, you must convert it into a compound path, not a shape.

There are several things you can do with strokes in Adobe Illustrator. You can bend them, reshape them, resize them, and adjust their weight, colour and fill. However, you cannot change the outline of a stroke like you can with a shape. For example, you can round off the corners of a rectangle or square shape, but you cannot do the same with a stroke. This limitation highlights the need to carefully plan and create the stroke with the desired size, thickness, shape and colour before converting it into an outline stroke.

Converting a stroke into an outline stroke allows you to edit its outline, which consists of multiple strokes instead of a single stroke down the centre of the line. You can then manipulate the shape by clicking and moving any anchor point. It is recommended to keep a copy of your original stroked object in case you want to make further adjustments using a different stroke weight.

Additionally, when dealing with complex shapes or paths, it is important to note that paths that cross each other will combine where they intersect when outlined. If you want to maintain separate path elements, you should separate the portions of your path that cross each other and outline them individually.

In some cases, you may encounter challenges when trying to convert a stroke into a shape or outline. For instance, if you have a stroke with variable width or gaps, you might need to adjust the anchor points to ensure all lines connect before using tools like Shape Builder. Furthermore, if your stroke is part of a compound path, you may need to release the compound path before successfully outlining the stroke.

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You can't round off the corners of a stroke

When using Adobe Illustrator, it is important to understand the difference between a stroke and a shape. While you can bend, reshape, and resize strokes, you cannot change their outline as you can with a shape.

For example, you can round off the corners of a rectangle or square shape, but you cannot round off the corners of a stroke. This is because a stroke is not a shape, and so you cannot manipulate it in the same way.

To round off the corners of a stroke, you must first convert it into a shape. To do this, you need to change the stroke into a compound path, which will allow you to edit the outline of the stroke. Once you have converted the stroke into a compound path, you can then round off the corners as you would with any other shape.

It is important to note that this process may not always work as expected, and there may be times when you need to try alternative methods or workarounds to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the process may vary depending on the specific version of Adobe Illustrator you are using.

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You can't edit a stroke without first converting it into a compound path

When using Adobe Illustrator, you may encounter challenges when attempting to edit a stroke. The issue arises because, by default, a stroke cannot be manipulated like a standard shape on your screen. The Pen tool in Adobe Illustrator, for instance, draws strokes rather than lines. Therefore, if you want to edit a stroke as you would a regular shape, you must first convert it into a compound path.

A compound path essentially transforms the stroke into an editable outline, allowing you to modify its appearance. For example, if you have a single thick stroke resembling a rectangle, converting it into a compound path enables you to edit the outline of the rectangle. This process gives you the flexibility to customise the stroke according to your design requirements.

To convert a stroke into a compound path in Adobe Illustrator, follow these steps:

  • Select the stroke you want to edit.
  • Go to the "Object" menu and choose "Path" from the drop-down menu.
  • Select "Outline Stroke."
  • After applying this change, when you zoom in on the object, you will observe that its outline now consists of multiple strokes instead of a single stroke down the centre of the line.

Once you have converted the stroke into an outline stroke, you can manipulate the shape by clicking and moving any anchor point. For instance, you can drag an anchor point towards the middle of the shape and release the mouse to adjust its position.

It is recommended to keep a copy of your original stroked object in case you need to revert to it or apply different stroke weights for further experimentation.

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You can't change the stroke width of a vector object

When working with vector objects, you may encounter limitations in editing their stroke width. While vector objects offer flexibility in resizing, changing the stroke width can be challenging. Here are a few paragraphs elaborating on this issue:

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for designers and illustrators, but some of its features can be elusive, especially for those who don't use it daily. One common challenge is the inability to change the stroke width of a vector object directly. Instead, you must first convert the stroke into a compound path to make it editable. This process can be tedious and may not always yield the desired results.

The issue of changing stroke width is not unique to Adobe Illustrator. Other software, such as Figma, also has limitations in this area. While Figma allows you to adjust the appearance of a stroke through its stroke properties, changing the stroke width of a vector object can still be tricky. Figma's "Outline Stroke" feature can be used to convert strokes into vector objects, but this process has its drawbacks.

One significant drawback of converting strokes into vector objects is the loss of editability. Once you convert a stroke, you cannot easily revert it to its original state. This limitation can be frustrating when you need to make further adjustments to the stroke width or other properties. Additionally, the converted vector object may not retain all the characteristics of the original stroke, requiring additional adjustments to match the desired appearance.

To overcome the challenge of changing stroke width, it is essential to understand the underlying principles. Strokes in vector graphics are defined by specific attributes, including width, colour, and style. By manipulating these attributes, you can achieve the desired effect without directly changing the stroke width. This may involve adjusting the stroke weight, position, or other properties to create the appearance of a thicker or thinner stroke.

While it is not possible to change the stroke width of a vector object directly, there are workarounds and alternative approaches. One method is to duplicate the vector object and adjust the stroke width of the duplicate, treating it as a new object. This approach ensures that you retain the original object while experimenting with different stroke widths. Additionally, familiarising yourself with the software's advanced features and seeking peer support can help you find creative solutions to this common challenge.

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You can't add a stroke to the corners of an extruded shape

When using Adobe Illustrator, you may encounter challenges when attempting to add a stroke to the corners of an extruded shape. While it is possible to bend, reshape, or resize strokes, modifying the outline of a stroke differs from altering the outline of a shape.

In Illustrator, the Pen tool is used to create strokes, which can be manipulated in various ways. However, rounding off the corners of a stroke is not possible in the same way as it is for shapes. This limitation presents a specific challenge when working with extruded shapes, where adding a stroke to the corners is not feasible.

To address this issue, a workaround involves creating multiple shape layers and adjusting their positions. By duplicating the desired shape, removing the fill, and changing the stroke color, you can simulate the appearance of a stroke on the front and back surfaces of the extruded shape. Additionally, you can utilize the C4D Rendering workspace to extrude the shape and apply expressions to the position properties of the layers.

It's important to note that while you can add a stroke to the front and back surfaces of an extruded shape, you cannot directly add a stroke to the corners formed by the extrusion. This restriction is due to the nature of how strokes and shapes are defined and manipulated in Illustrator.

In summary, while you can't add a stroke to the corners of an extruded shape in Adobe Illustrator, there are alternative techniques, such as duplicating shape layers and adjusting their positions, to achieve a similar visual effect.

Frequently asked questions

If you are using Adobe Illustrator, you need to convert the stroke into a compound path to be able to manipulate it as you would any other shape on your screen.

Select the stroke you created in Adobe Illustrator and then select "Object" from the menu, followed by "Path" from the drop-down menu, and finally, select "Outline Stroke."

With a Shape Tool active, click the layer with the arrow, then look at the Control Bar across the top of the screen. Remove the stroke there.

If you forgot to enable Auto Stroke when creating your shape, you need to do so manually. Select the shape with the Select Shape tool, then enable Stroke in the Style window. Alternatively, you can enable Stroke from the Select Shape tool's options bar.

Create the shape you want to extrude with a fill and stroke that are the same color. Duplicate that shape layer twice, remove the fill on both copies, and change the stroke color. Name one copy "Front" and the other "Back." Arrange the layers so that the layer with the fill is in the middle. Parent both stroke-only layers, and offset the position property of the "Front" layer in Z by -1.

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