Modifying and removing appearance attributes


    The Appearance palette makes it easy to modify appearance attributes. You can edit effects, copy attributes to items, duplicate and modify attributes, change the stacking order of attributes, and remove attributes.

    You can also use the Layers palette to move, copy, or delete appearance attributes.

    Note: Changing the attributes of an item that has a graphic style applied to it breaks the link between the item and the graphic style. (See Unlinking graphic styles.)

    Changing stacking order of appearance attributes Pointillize effect applied to stroke (top) compared to same effect moved to fill (bottom)
    Pointillize effect applied to stroke (top) compared to same effect moved to fill (bottom)

To modify an effect using the Appearance palette:

  1. Select an object or group (or target a layer in the Layers palette) that uses an effect.
  2. Double-click the effect listed in the Appearance palette.
  3. In the effect's dialog box, make the desired alterations and then click OK.

To copy attributes to an object using the Appearance palette:

  1. Select an object or group (or target a layer in the Layers palette) that has the attributes you want to copy.
  2. If a thumbnail isn't showing at the top of the Appearance palette, choose Show Thumbnail from the palette menu.
  3. Drag the thumbnail onto an object in the document window.

To move, copy, or delete appearance attributes using the Layers palette:

    Do one of the following:

    • To move appearance attributes, drag the target icon Item not targeted and has only basic appearance attributes or filled double ring in the Layers palette from any item that has the desired attributes onto the item (in the Layers palette) to which you want to apply it.
    • To copy appearance attributes, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) the target icon in the Layers palette from an item onto the item to which you want to apply it.
    • To delete appearance attributes, drag the target icon from an item onto the Trash button Delete icon at the bottom of the Layers palette. Layers and groups lose all appearance attributes; paths lose all appearance attributes except a single fill and stroke.

To duplicate an appearance attribute:

    Select an attribute in the Appearance palette, and do one of the following:

    • Click the Duplicate Selected Item button Duplicate Selected Item button in the palette, or choose Duplicate Item from the palette menu.
    • Drag the appearance attribute onto the Duplicate Selected Item button in the palette.

To change the stacking order of appearance attributes:

    Drag an appearance attribute up or down in the palette to change the order that strokes, fills, and effects are applied. (If necessary, click the toggle triangle next to an item to display its contents.) When the outline of the appearance attribute you are dragging appears in the desired position, release the mouse button.

    Tip iconIf you apply a graphic style to a container, but the graphic style's fill color doesn't appear in the artwork, drag the Fill attribute above the Contents entry in the Appearance palette. For information on containers, see Using the Appearance palette.

To remove appearance attributes:

    Do one of the following:

    • Select an attribute, and choose Remove Item from the palette menu.
    • Select an attribute, and click the Trash button Delete icon in the palette.
    • Drag an attribute to the Trash button.
    • To remove all appearance attributes, including any fill or stroke, choose Clear Appearance from the palette menu or click the Clear Appearance button Clear Appearance button in the palette.
    • To remove all appearance attributes except a single fill and stroke, choose Reduce to Basic Appearance from the palette menu or click the Reduce to Basic Appearance button Reduce to Basic Appearance button in the palette.