The tool offsets the object's original outline; the stroke moves with the newly offset outline but its width remains unchanged. The object's outline can be moved inwardly or outwardly (more typically) by dragging.
Settings
The following settings can be adjusted from the context toolbar:
- Fill—click the color swatch to display a pop-up panel to update fill color.
- Stroke—click the color swatch to display a pop-up panel to update stroke color.
- Stroke properties—the line thickness in points. Type directly in the text box or drag the pop-up slider to set the value.
- Radius—sets the radius of the contour, i.e. the distance that the object's outline will be offset.
- Contour type—Select a contour type (Round, Bevel, or Miter) to determine the contour of sharp corners. With Miter joins, the Miter limit setting dynamically controls if beveling occurs by extending each line at the junction by the number or radius multiples. If the two outer edges meet within that limit, the result is a sharp corner; if not, you’ll get a flat (Bevel) corner.
- Miter—sets the length of the extension of Miter joins to create either sharp or flat corners.
- Cap—set the cap ends to No cap, Round cap or Square cap. Use on an already contoured curve's end nodes.
- Fill—set the shape's fill to Auto closed, Force open or Force closed.
- Bake Appearance—converts the contoured object to curves. The created contour will no longer be editable if this option is selected.
Contour Tool