3 Replies Latest reply: Dec 27, 2012 1:03 PM by burke747 RSS

    Duplicate type layer with transparency

    burke747 Community Member

      First time posting here, and I'm a newcomer to Illustrator from the After Effects world, so I'm sorry if this is the world's most basic question!

       

      I'm looking to create (for lack of a better term) partial duplicate layers of text, offset from the main layer with transparency in between.

       

      A common effect in vintage typography, as seen here:

       

      http://www.vintageseattle.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/rainier_beer_ad_01.jpg

       

      I imagine it will take some customization of the paths, particularly in the case of how the word "Seattle" appears here.  But I basically need to figure out the best way to duplicate the layer and keep only the parts of it I want to keep as an accent "shadow"

       

      Thanks

        • 1. Re: Duplicate type layer with transparency
          Jacob Bugge CommunityMVP

          burke,

           

          No need for multiple layers and no need to worry about transparency. The nothingness round, above, and beneath, the objects you create is inherently transparent.

           

          If you just wished to have identical versions of the letters as live Type or outlined (Type>Create Outlines), you could just select it/them and move a copy of them. One way is to Ctrl/Cmd+C+B (to have the copy behind the original) and drag or use Object>Transform>Move inserting suitable X and Y values.

           

          The rest depends on how you wish the copy to be different.

          • 2. Re: Duplicate type layer with transparency
            Monika Gause CommunityMVP

            Using the appearance panel, create two additional fills. Move them both underneath the "characters". Then apply the transform effect to move them on the artboard. apply opacity 0 to the fill in the middle. Then check "knockout group" for the type object.

            • 3. Re: Duplicate type layer with transparency
              burke747 Community Member

              Thanks Monika -- that's perfect.  Great to learn some of the capabilities of the Apperance panel -- very powerful.  I figured out another way to do this using an additional object and applying Path>Outline Stroke then Minus Front in Pathfinder, but your solution is 10x more elegant.