Offset Path Won't Work
I am using Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 and can't get negative offset path values to work. I am trying to create an offset path in the negatives in text that I have created outlines on. When I do positive numbers, the offset path gets bigger (as it should) When I do negative offset values, the object is duplicated but at the exact same size. I have tried using the offset path tool from both the 'object' and 'effect' tabs and neither is giving me results. I have also tried negative values ranging from -1 to -16,000... there is no change.
Anonymous
shared this idea
Hi Everyone,
Can you please provide a screenshot or step-by-step details of what you are trying to do. I ask because it’s working fine for me (see attached screenshot; it’s quite possible that I misinterpreted what you are trying to achieve). Could it be that the negative offset you are applying is greater than the size of the object. In that case, it won’t work. Otherwise it should.
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Noah Grimes
commented
There is not enough RAM power enough.
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Anonymous
commented
It seems to work now...
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Kendall
commented
I am having the same issue. I wasn't able to follow the steps provided by Pen (not sure how to get a stroke with no fill...) but using the stroke to make an object appear thinner did work. Then I just expanded the shape with fill and stroke, then deleted the part of the shape that used to be the stroke.
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mars
commented
I'm having this exact issue today. it's driving me crazy.
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Pen
commented
A temporary workaround:
1) Clone the object and paste in front
2) Apply a stroke with a fill of "none" and set the stroke to "inside" the path in the stroke palette. Adjust stroke width as needed to visually "inset" to your desired appearance
3) From the menu, release this newly-created compound path
4) From the menu, Expand Appearance of this object. You should now have a new object with a "thinner" appearance that mirrors what "offset path" with a negative value would normally do -
AK
commented
Experiencing the same issue in Illustrator v. 24.1, updated just a few days ago.
Exactly as original post describes - Negative values for offset path do not yield expected results. For logo design, this is kind of a mission-critical feature. Frequently requested to make a mark "thinner" when a lighter weight version of the font does not exist. Offset path with negative values is the best (and only way I am aware of) to do so.
Please fix this.