To convert a vector to a shape in Adobe Illustrator, you primarily use the "Object" menu and its "Path" options. This allows you to modify and manipulate vector paths in various ways to create new shapes.
Here's a breakdown of the common methods:
1. Outlining Strokes
This is essential for converting line strokes into filled shapes.
- Select the Stroke: Use the Selection Tool (V) to click on the vector stroke you want to convert.
- Go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke: This command converts the stroke into a closed, filled shape. The stroke's thickness becomes the shape's boundaries.
- Benefit: This is useful when you want to apply fills or gradients to a stroke as if it were a regular shape, or when you need to ensure strokes maintain their appearance even when the document is opened on a system with different stroke settings.
2. Expanding Appearance
Expanding is used to convert effects (like live effects, fills, and strokes) into editable paths.
- Select the Object: Use the Selection Tool (V) to select the object with the effect(s) you want to convert.
- Go to Object > Expand Appearance: If "Expand Appearance" is greyed out, try "Expand". "Expand" will allow you to convert objects such as text to outlines.
- Adjust settings in the Expand dialog box (if it appears): Usually, the default settings are fine, but you can specify whether to expand the Fill and Stroke.
- Benefit: This is helpful when you want to permanently apply an effect and edit its underlying paths, or when you're sharing a file with someone who might not have the same effects installed.
3. Converting Text to Outlines
While technically also an "Expand" function, converting text to outlines is a common use case.
- Select the Text: Use the Selection Tool (V) to click on the text you want to convert.
- Go to Type > Create Outlines: This converts the text into editable vector shapes. The text is no longer editable as text after this conversion.
- Benefit: This ensures the text appears correctly even if the recipient doesn't have the same font installed. You can then manipulate each letter as an individual shape.
4. Pathfinders
While not directly converting a vector to a shape, Pathfinders are extremely useful for combining multiple vector shapes into a single, complex shape.
- Select Multiple Paths: Use the Selection Tool (V) to select two or more overlapping paths.
- Open the Pathfinder Panel (Window > Pathfinder): This panel contains options to Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude, Divide, etc.
- Choose a Pathfinder Option: Experiment with the different options to see how they combine the selected paths. For example, "Unite" will merge all selected paths into one shape.
In summary, Illustrator provides multiple tools to transform and manipulate vectors into different shapes using the object menu and pathfinder panel. The method you choose depends on what elements are present in your selected vector(s) and what final outcome you desire.
