Stroke type

Microsoft Expression Design lets you apply two different types of strokes to a path: basic strokes and brush strokes. You can also remove the stroke entirely. Note that when you apply a brush stroke to an object that has a fill, the object is filled first and then stroked (the stroke always appears on top of the fill).

There are two stroke types: basic stroke (1 and 2) and brush stroke (3).
The basic stroke is shown here twice: once with a solid color and once with a gradient applied to it.

You can choose a stroke type by clicking the Stroke button in the Properties panel and then clicking on the current stroke button to open the Strokes gallery .

Click the Stroke button in the Appearance category of the Properties panel.

The Stroke button opens the Strokes gallery .

• Basic strokes  Click the Basic Stroke brush stroke (the first brush stroke option in the Strokes Gallery following No Stroke) if you want a stroke with a constant thickness to be drawn along the path. Then use the Color Picker to select either a solid color or gradient.
• Brush stroke  Select any other brush stroke from the Stroke gallery if you want a stroke created from a vector or bitmap picture to be drawn along the path. Some people call brush strokes "skeletal strokes" or "artistic strokes." For more information about making and managing brush strokes, see Making a custom stroke.
• No stroke  To draw a path without a stroke or to remove the stroke from a path, select the No Fill/Stroke swatch from the swatch icons in the Appearance category of the Properties panel, or from the Strokes gallery .

Tip: You can drag commonly-used brush strokes up to the Favorites section of the Strokes gallery to replace one or more of the three strokes listed there.