Need help coloring a wireframe

[lisa512k]

I'm a fairly inexperienced user so I apologize if my question is too basic.

I used the 3D revolution tool to create an object ("Effect -> 3D -> Revolve...") and selected "Wireframe" as my surface type. I get the desired shape, but the frame is black and I can't seem to change the color no matter what I try.

Any tips? (I'm using Adobe Illustrator CS version 11.0.0 with a Windows XP operating system.)

Thanks in advance.

[Jodi Frye]

Hi, go to object> expand appearance and then select the stroke/outline option if it isn't already on top in the tool box..pick a color from the swatches and that should do it.

[lisa512k]

No, I already tried that, and it doesn't seem to work in this case. Whether I select the stroke before performing the revolution or afterwards, the wireframe stays black (although the stroke box in the "Appearance" panel does show the selected color).

When I execute the "Revolve..." option, I have a variety of shadings I can use, and I get color when I select "Diffuse shading" or "Plastic shading." When I chose "Wireframe" it says "Lighting controls are not available for this surface option." Still, there must be some way of coloring a wireframe -- I can't believe I'm the only person who wants a color other thank black.

Any other suggestions?

[Scott Weichert]

Draw your object.


Give it a fill but no stroke

Use the 3D revolve... note lighting will be available and it will show changes. Using "Wireframe" in the 3D window will result in no lighting, however. Just like you are currently seeing.

Set the 3D how you want it, click OK.

Then choose Object > Expand Appearance.

now.. your stroke indicator in the Color Panel should be filled with ????.

Just click a color.

[The Repro Kid]

Howdy (Apple)lisa512k.

You can make your object any color, but you'll still a get black wire frame. All you need to do is go to Menu-Object-Expand Appearance. Only then will get a wire frame object with black strokes that you can color.

[lisa512k]

Thanks to all of you for your help! Sorry that I didn't understand Jodi's initial reply. Nothing happened when I selected "Stroke" in the general "Appearance" menu, and when I selected "Object -> Expand appearance," the "Stroke" field in the "Appearance" window disappeared entirely (it just said "Group"), which is what confused me. However, if I do "Object -> Expand appearance" and then ignore that window and click on a swatch in the "Color" window, it works just fine. I can't say that I understand at all what I'm doing, but I'm happy to have a solution. Thanks again for taking the time to help.

[Lukas Engqvist]

But adding a stroke from the swatch gives all objects a stroke.

[The Repro Kid]

Thanks to all of you for your help! Sorry that I didn't understand Jodi's initial reply. Nothing happened when I selected "Stroke" in the general "Appearance" menu, and when I selected "Object -> Expand appearance," the "Stroke" field in the "Appearance" window disappeared entirely (it just said "Group")...The appearance palette won't let you change attributes of a group, you would have to ungroup them first, or just do your selecting with the Direct Selection Tool, as this will select individual items of a group, which will then work in the appearance palette. I don't often use the appearance palette, although it is very useful. I find the "old ways" of working with Ill to be just as effective, and simpler. Although the Appearance Palette does add some additional "power."