Illustrator outline question!

[ballparkgraphics]

In Illustrator, someone sent me a vector decal design with some sort of an expanded outline on the words and design. For example, if it said 'Hello', there would be the normal fill and then about a 1/2" of yellow outline. I cannot select it without moving the word out of the way. Once I get it selected though, I need to put an outline on the outside edge of it for my CutContour. When I try and add another outline, it puts it right next to the 'Hello.' Help please?!?

 

[Idea Design]

Sounds like somebody added a stroke to the lettering and the outlined the stroke.

You can use the 'A' selection tool, select just the lettering without the outline, move it out of the way, you should be able to go Object>Path>Offset Path and recreate what was trying to be done beforehand.

Then offset your new offset to create your CutContour line.

 

[ballparkgraphics]

thanks a lot. I will give that a try.

 

[Rick]

If you need to be precise, "expand" it.

Move the lettering as Idea suggested,

Select the "stroked" lettering. Make sure the fill is the same color as the stroke.

Got to:
OBJECT>EXPAND

Then "UNGROUP" it

then go to your PATHFINDER window and weld it.

Move the lettering back...

It will be the exactly the same as the stroke but in vector.