How do I change the path color in Illustrator?

To change the color of a path in Adobe Illustrator, you primarily adjust its stroke color after selecting the path.

Understanding Paths and Colors in Illustrator

In Illustrator, a path is a sequence of line segments or curves. The "color" of a path usually refers to its stroke color, which is the color applied to the outline of the path itself. Paths can also have a fill color, which fills the area enclosed by the path if it is a closed shape. This guide focuses on changing the path's stroke color.

Steps to Change Path (Stroke) Color

Changing the color of a path's stroke is a fundamental task in Illustrator. Follow these steps:

1. Select the Path: Use the Selection Tool (the black arrow, keyboard shortcut V) to click on the path you want to recolor.
2. Identify Stroke and Fill: Look at the bottom of the Tools panel or in the Properties panel. You'll see two overlapping squares: one for the Fill color and one for the Stroke color. The one currently in front is the active property being affected.
3. Activate the Stroke: Bring the "stroke" swatch to front by clicking on it in the Tool box. This ensures that any color you choose will apply to the stroke, not the fill.
4. Choose a New Color: Apply different stroke colors to the paths. With the stroke swatch active and the path selected, you can choose a color using several methods:
   • Swatches Panel: Open the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches). Choose a color from swatches palette. Click on a color swatch to apply it to the selected path's stroke.
   • Color Panel: Open the Color panel (Window > Color). Use the color sliders or spectrum to select a custom color.
   • Color Picker: Double-click on the Stroke swatch in the Tools panel to open the Color Picker, where you can select a color visually or by entering values.

By following these steps, you can easily update the visual appearance of your paths by changing their stroke color.

Choosing Your Path Color

Illustrator provides flexibility in selecting the perfect color for your path's stroke:

• Swatches Panel: Ideal for using saved colors, color libraries (like Pantone), or document-specific colors.
• Color Panel: Allows for precise color mixing using various color modes (RGB, CMYK, Grayscale, etc.).
• Color Picker: Provides a large visual spectrum for selecting colors and the ability to input exact color values.

Remember to always ensure the path is selected and the Stroke swatch is active before choosing your color.

Stroke vs. Fill

It's important to distinguish between the stroke and fill when working with paths:

Property	Appearance	Affected by Swatch	Typical Use
Stroke	The outline of the path	Stroke swatch (front)	Defining lines, borders, path visibility
Fill	The area inside a shape	Fill swatch (front)	Filling shapes, areas

Changing the "path color" most commonly refers to modifying the stroke color.

Once you've changed the stroke color, you can also adjust its weight (thickness) and style using the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke) to further customize the path's appearance.