Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Using the Appearance panel
You probably know by now that many functions can be handled in the Control panel instead
of individual panels. The Appearance panel also can replace a number of separate panels,
making it an indispensable hub for a productive and efficient workflow. Here you can view
or edit a selected object's stroke, fill, or transparency; check to see if it's part of a group; or
adjust an effect or named graphic style applied to it.
In the Appearance panel with a group or layer targeted, double-clicking on Contents reveals
object-level attributes. With a text object, double-click on Characters to see the basic text
attributes. You can also add additional strokes or fills to the object, apply effects and access
effect dialogs, choose whether or not the next object you draw will have the same
appearance, or construct a new graphic style to save for future objects. Important concepts
for using the Appearance panel include the following:
• The basic appearance consists of a stroke and fill (even if set to None), and its
transparency (0%-100% Opacity).
• Apply an appearance to any path, object, group, layer or sublayer.
• The stacking order of attributes affects the final appearance, and can be changed simply by
dragging the attribute up or down in the list.
• The visibility of attributes can be toggled on or off by clicking the Eye icon, and multiple
selected items can be unhidden with Show All Hidden Attributes from the panel menu. The
visibility of thumbnails can be toggled on or off with Show/Hide Thumbnail in the panel
menu.
• Click on underlined words, such as Stroke, Opacity, or Drop Shadow to open their
respective panels; Shift-click on a swatch icon to open the Color panel.
Decoding appearances
A basic appearance does not include multiple fills or strokes, transparency, effects, or brush strokes.
More complex appearances are indicated by a gradient-filled circle in the Layers panel. When you need
to modify artwork created by others (or open artwork you created earlier), it's essential to have both the
Appearance and Layers panels visible. Unless an effect is applied at the level of a layer or a group, you
might not see the filled circle icon until you expand your view of the layer to locate the object that has
the effect applied.
Many functions reside in the Appear-
ance panel
