Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/27/2008

Question
RE:Appearance panel, Adobe Illustrator CS2 & CS3
I am trying to create a new graphic style with the attached file. The image is compiled of 5 strokes, with different weights and color, no effects. When I select all the strokes, the appearance panel reads: mixed appearances, rather than giving individual attributes of the strokes. Therefore I cannot drag the appearance thumbnail (thumbnail is all white) to the graphics style panel, to create a new style. How can I get rid of the mixed appearances? How can I get the individual attributes to list, so the thumbnail shows my new graphic style?

R

Answer
Hi Rosario,

To create a graphic style you should create your appearances in one object, not multiple stroked images. Here's how it works...

First add a stroke to a simple object like a rectangle. Then in the appearance palette select the stroke, and then go to either the palette pull down menu or using the button below, duplicate the stroke. Then create the next stroke in your design, then repeat. You can use the appearance palette to create different layered effects by moving your components just like in the layers palette.

Once you have your desired appearance, drag the object into the graphic styles window, NOT the appearance thumbnail.

Thanks

Kevin