Expert: Amy - 2/17/2004

Question
Hi Amy,
Thanks for all your help. I was wondering if I could ask you another question.  I have seen a lot of advertising were the letters or objects are surrounded by a color (usually white, blue etc.), and the outline extends out and has the same shape as the lettering.  placing the lettering on top of its copied enlargement does not work.  Also, changing the stroke size does not seem to have similar results.  Is there another way to get the effect I am looking for that you know of?  

I'm also wondering if you know of different kinds of outlines like this that you can use, and were you can get them.  I have seen radiant blue, white and yellow outlines that follow the general shape of the lettering (or object) but are larger and more general then what's possible with the stroke tool.

Well, I hope this was clear, and thanks again for your wonderful help.

Mark


Answer
Looks like you have two questions there.

Second one first:  The radiant effect you desire is most likely the Outer Glow effect.  It's found under Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow.

The first question is a little more complicated.

1. Choose your text (which should have no stroke for now) and keep it selected for the remainder of this instruction.

2. Choose Window > Show Appearance (or Shift+F6)
  Choose Window > Show Color (F6)
  Choose Window > Show Stroke (F10)

3. Make sure each of those Window's options are displayed using their respective flyout menus.

4. Choose "Add New Fill" from the Appearance Window's flyout menu.  A new "Fill" entry will appear in the Appearance Window and it will be highlighted. With that "Fill" entry highlighted as it is, select a color from the Color Window.

5. Using the Appearance Window flyout menu again, choose "Add New Stroke." With that new "Stroke" entry selected in the Appearance Window, increase the stroke weight to 5 pts in the Stroke Window.

6. And here's the trick: The order that those "Fills" and "Strokes" are listed in the Appearance window is also the order that they are displayed on the object selected.  You can grab the line that says "Stroke" (your new 5 pt stroke) and drag it so that it is listed underneath the new "Fill" line.  Now the colored fill is displayed on top of that 5 pt stroke and you can only see the stroke that extends beyond the fill.

Note: You can delete the original fill and stroke lines from the Appearance Window now.  To do that, click on them and then click the little garbage can icon at the bottom of that Window.

Good luck,
Amy

Ps> I'm sure know you can use whatever stroke weights and colors you need to use!