Outlining grouping of letters

[eking31]

Dear all:

I need to create a vector file based on a group of letters with an outline of the group of letters, not a drop shadow or inner/outer glow each letter individually. Because I am not as proficient in Illustrator, I could probably execute the steps in InDesign or Photoshop, but would not have the vector file I need. I have not been able to figure it out in Adobe Illustrator CS3. The effect I'm looking to have upon completion is similar to Willie Stargell Foundation Garamond Pro lettering in the upper left of this Web site: http://www.williestargellfoundation.org/index.php

Thank you in advance for your help!

Elizabeth

[Lukas Engqvist]

The best way if you want editability is to use Appearance.
You can add effects to your appearance. offsetting, transforming and multiple strokes all from the same object, but you say you want the vector…
Possibly what you are looking for is a combination of text:convert to outlines, (alternativeley expand appearance)
then choose the text and use object: path: offsett path

if you need the clipped shadow you will have to use the pathfinder.

that was just blurtingout the tools,:o but you will find details how to use them in the online help.

[The Repro Kid]

Dear all:

I need to create a vector file based on a group of letters with an outline of the group of letters, not a drop shadow or inner/outer glow each letter individually. Because I am not as proficient in Illustrator, I could probably execute the steps in InDesign or Photoshop, but would not have the vector file I need. I have not been able to figure it out in Adobe Illustrator CS3. The effect I'm looking to have upon completion is similar to Willie Stargell Foundation Garamond Pro lettering in the upper left of this Web site: http://www.williestargellfoundation.org/index.php

Thank you in advance for your help!

ElizabethOutlining letters is classically done by placing a large stroke on a copy of the same letters and pasting them directly behind the letters you want to outline.

You can either physically copy the letters, paste them behind and then add the stroke, or now with newer versions of Ill you can use the appearance palette to add a stroke and move the stroke behind the fill.

You can do all this with live text, no need to convert to outlines.

Offsetting your paths won't help much either because adding a large stroke will yield the same result and is far more flexible and editable in this particular instance.