Create paths from text outlines
Use the Create Outlines command to convert selected text characters into a set of compound paths that you can edit and manipulate as you would any other path. The Create Outlines command is useful for creating effects in large display type, but it is rarely useful for body text or other smaller-size type.
If
you simply want to apply a color stroke, or a gradient fill or stroke
to text characters, you don’t need to convert the text to outlines.
You can use the toolbox and the Swatches, Color, or Gradient panels
to apply colors and gradients directly to the strokes or fills of
selected characters.The Create Outlines command gets its font outline information from the actual Type 1, TrueType, or OpenType files. When you create outlines, characters are converted in their current positions, retaining all graphics formatting, such as stroke and fill.
When you convert type to outlines, the type loses its hints—instructions built into outline fonts for adjusting their shapes, so that your system displays or prints them optimally at small sizes. Therefore, type converted to outlines may not display as well when rendered in small sizes or at low resolutions.
After converting type to outlines, you can do any of the following:
-
Alter the letterforms by dragging individual anchor points using the Direct Selection tool
. -
Copy the outlines and use the Edit > Paste Into command to mask an image by pasting it into the converted outlines.
-
Use the converted outlines as text frames, so that you can type or place text in them.
-
Change the stroke attributes of letterforms.
-
Use text outlines to create compound shapes.
Working with text outlines
- A.
- Type character before conversion to text outline
- B.
- Text outline with image pasted into it
- C.
- Text outline used as a text frame
Because converted text outlines become sets of compound paths, you can edit individual subpaths of converted outlines by using the Direct Selection tool. You can also break the character outlines into independent paths by releasing them from the compound path.
Convert text outlines to paths
By default, creating outlines from type removes the original text. However, if you prefer, you can make outlines appear over a copy of the original text, so that none of the text is lost.
When you select type characters in a text frame and convert them to outlines, the resulting outlines become anchored (inline) objects that flow with the text. Because the converted text is no longer true type, you will no longer be able to highlight and edit the characters using the Type tool. In addition, typographical controls will no longer apply. Make sure that you’re satisfied with the typographic settings of the type you convert to outlines, and be sure to create a copy of the original text.
- Use the Selection tool
to
select a text frame, or use the Type tool to select one or
more characters. - Choose Type > Create Outlines.
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