How to outline only the outside of a compound path?

[iworkforyou]

Hi, I have a compound path which is a donut-square, or a square with a hollow center.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/7093/squaredonutnh8.png (http://imageshack.us)


Does anyone know how to make a black stroke/outline on the outside of the entire compound path (the outer blue path selection). The various ways I've tried result in getting a stroke/outline on the outside and inside of the path selections.

Thanks for your help

Note: the white inside the square is the background of the artboard in illustrator, pretend its transparent there or hollow

[TORCH511]

You can not outline just the outside of a compound path. That's why it's a compound path, what you do to one you do to all.

You can do 2 things. You can Either release the compound path, have the larger rectangle keep the color fill and apply the stroke to it, and the inner path would be white.

However if the center needs to be empty (in order to let objects underneath show through) then just use the group selection tool (under the direct selection tool AKA the white arrow) to select only the outside path, and then copy and then "paste in front". Remove the fill and apply just a stroke.

[iworkforyou]

thanks torch! I got it to work it took awhile to figure out the correct order,
but this is what I did using your advice:

1. create large brown filled square with no stroke
2. create smaller grey square inside of it
3. copy large brown square
4. paste large brown square in front
5. make the copied large brown square have a stroke, then make fill transparent
6. then select grey square with direct selection tool, hold down shift, and select the original large brown square.
7. using the pathfinder window, selected "minus from front"

works like a charm! =)

[Husker]

Actually there is another way to do this via the appearance pallet. You can make your compound object the top object in the appearance pallet and then below it add a new fill and stroke and do a "pathfinder add" effect. After that select the stroke and offset it. The fill can be any color because you won't see it but you need it for the pathfinder effect to work. The stroke will now completely outline your compound path.

The nice thing about this method is that is it a live effect and completely adjustable. You can even move objects in the compound path individually and the outline will adjust automatically.

Tip to Mordy Golding for this neat effect.

[The Repro Kid]

Wow, that's a lot of hoops to jump through! Torch's last idea is by far the easiest thing to do, and there is nothing "unlive" about it, the simple stroked line can be changed at any time. More on this below.

But here's a quick way to accomplish this same move torch spells out. This might be easier to follow, since iworkforyou had trouble getting it to work and had to resort to path finder.

1. Select Box and Copy.

2. Deselect Box and then "paste behind," (command-b)

3. Select the top box and Hide (command-3)

4. With the direct selection tool (white arrow) select one point or line segment on the inner box. Hit Delete. Then, hit Delete again. Select any point or line segment on the remaining outer box and color thick black stroke, no fill.

5. Show all (command-4)

Can't really see any advantage to using effects or pathfinder for this most basic construction. And how is this not "live?" If you need to edit the stroke, Hide the box and edit the box under it. If you need to do something funky like resize the proportions of the box, use your direct arrow tool (white arrow) to drag over an edge or point of the boxes simultaneously and make your adjustment.

Reasons not to use effects for the most basic forms of construction? Effects add overhead, lots and lots of overhead. Your simple drawing will be sluggish to redraw on screen, bulk up your file, and slow you down for no reason.

[Husker]

My point of it being a live effect was that if you move any of the pieces, the outline automatically adjusts. That is a live effect, the other way is doing it manually. Two different things. There is nothing wrong with doing it the other way either.

His example was a simple one and probably easier solved with Torches method but in the interest of learning and sharing I thought I'd post another way. Like a lot of things, there is more than one way to accomplish a task.

Your point about overhead might be valid but at least on the systems I work on I've never had a problem and for me they save time.

[Lukas Engqvist]

Draw the two rectangles and then mafter checking that the LivePaint bucket does strokes fill with fill (centre square, or hole with the none colour in the bucket – love painting holes), and thick stroke on the outer square. When you got it like you want expand, if you like.

[The Repro Kid]

My point of it being a live effect was that if you move any of the pieces, the outline automatically adjusts. That is a live effect, the other way is doing it manually.The only difference I can see is the selection process. To "move any of the pieces" and have the effect move with it, you click on a piece. To "move any of the pieces" and have the Non-effect move with it, you drag over piece, thus selecting both front and back pieces. The result is the same. The square and the outline still move. And both are moved manually. The only difference is click vs drag, and of course the obligatory, "please wait for effects to render." I still can't see any advantage to using this effect in this situation, and honestly, the whole process seems very long and drawn out — an outlandish way of accomplishing something that should be fast and simple.

Anyway, this thread makes me think of the contest, I think you may have mentioned it, of thinking up the most difficult way to create a circle. :)

[Lukas Engqvist]

The shape in question is very basic, yes, and there is certain amount of overkill in some methods. as long as we are talking about a simple shape. The difference in approach is that some of us (including myself) tangent off and think of the problem from different angles, because all shapes are not simple.

It is important to be aware of the different methods, and then select the most appropriate one. All methods have their advantages, all methods have their drawbacks.

When I see the question of an outlined donut shape I connect to it all those illustrations that want a thicker outline. Some will be one compound shape others will be far more complex, and would need the flexibility. The effects is in some ways cumbersome, and will take more computer power (and Repro is right to point that out) but it does give an unparalleled flexibility.
I often limit my tool box when I work, but which tools I use depend on the assignment.

[Husker]

I'm sorry. I was thinking about a more complex object with multiple compound shapes.

Granted for this case it was overkill but I'm just trying to show people there are other options even if you think they might be outlandish or long and drawn out.

Lukas, the live paint trick is nice too. It reminds me of a tutorial by Deke McClelland on creating the Olympic rings. Since they are interlocking you can turn it into a live paint object and make them look like they interlock very easily.

[The Repro Kid]

Since we're all talking about where a thought's coming from, I can say this. I tend to think of the poor unsuspecting person that is asking the question.

The poor guy just wants to thicken up the outer most outline of a compound rectangle that represents a picture frame. Not create an AI masterpiece that rivals M.C. Escher.

I know that if I have a question I appreciate an answer that is brief, relevant, and comprehensible. The basics must always proceed the esoteric. If the poor soul does not know how to construct a simple picture frame in it's most basic form, how can you expect him to learn when flooded with over the top techniques?

I very much am in line with Lukus said. Limiting tools for the sake of economy is often times a better working approach, and over the top techniques are best used only when necessary.

[Husker]

You are right.