1 Reply Latest reply: Sep 28, 2009 8:00 PM by Wade_Zimmerman RSS

    Does Expanding always create a group?

    Blue_Devil1 Community Member

      I am working on a jigsaw puzzle illustration using ILlustrator CS3.  I started by creating a line with a loop in the middle with the pen tool.  Then I applied Stylize-round corners and then Effect-Warp-arch.  I then alt-dragged the line with the loop to make a copy and put that at the end of the first line.  I wanted to use the reflect tool to turn the loop facing the other way,  in the second line but nothing happens when I drag with the reflect tool.

      If I expand the first line with the loop after applying the two effects this puts the path into a group and then when I alt drag, etc as above I can make the reflect tool work and turn around the loop in the second line..

       

      After expanding, the path after applying the effects, a group with the path in it is created.

       

      However, when I try to join the two lines together, I get an error message saying I can't join points from separate groups.   If I ungroup the two lines, then I can join them.

       

      However, this seems like an extra step.  Does expanding the effect always create a group or is it something I'm doing wrong.  I'm really new with Illustrator and would appreciate any help.

      Thanks in advance.

      John Rich