making filter operations "permanent" AI9

[czechsix]

Hello all,

When using a filter on a vector line in AI, how do I apply the filter permanently so that I can manipulate the line in other ways?

For example, take a box, round the corners with the Round Corners filter, and the box appears rounded but the preview when selected is actually square. If I were to outline the stroke, it goes back to being truly square. How can I make it truly round? Correct me if I am wrong but older versions of AI did this automatically, no?

I hope this question makes sense, let me know if not and I'll try to clarify. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

 

[dimoj]

That makes perfect sense.

Effects and Filters work differently. What you are describing is the Effect version of rounded rectangle.

When you use Effect>Convert to shape>Rounded Rectangle the Effect is applied 'live'. I like to think of it in the way that the original object still exists but it is wearing a disguise to make it look like something else. The cool thing about this is anytime you can take off that disguise or change it too look different (by using the appearance palette). Anyway to make the effect 'permanent' as such: after you have applied the RR Effect then just select your object then go to Object>Expand Appearance and the object will become a 'real' rounded rectangle.

What you could have done instead (if you knew you wanted to make the RR without later being able to edit the appearance) would be to use Filter>Stylize>Rounded Rectangle on your original shape. This will make the 'real' RR straight off the bat.

NOTE: The are two stylize menus in the Filter drop down, you need to use the one in the top panel. The one in the bottom panel is a PS Filter for use on bitmaps!

 

[czechsix]

perfect, thanks for the info and the help dimoj...that's exactly what I needed.

cheers!