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Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

Today we will learn how to scale effects and strokes in Illustrator, with just a few simple steps. It is a very simple trick that will save you a lot of time and effort. It did wonders for me.

Difficulty: Beginner
Completion time: 2 min
Tools: Illustrator CS3

Resources:

- Torn cardboard graphic style from DesignTNT

STEP 1

Open the source file provided from the graphic style and go to Window > Graphic Styles to toggle the Graphic Styles window.

1 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

STEP 2

Grab the Selection Tool (V) and select the entire artwork. Hold the SHIFT key and scale down, like I did in the image below. It doesn’t look very good, does it?

2 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

STEP 3

You now have two options: either expand the entire artwork (Object > Expand Appearance) and then scale it down or follow the next step and do it the proper way.

3 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

3.1 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

STEP 4

After selecting the entire artwork, grab the Scale Tool (S) and hit Enter. In the pop-up window, check the “Scale Strokes & Effects” box and hit OK.

4 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects1 Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator

STEP 5

Click-drag with your mouse over the selected artwork or use the Selection Tool (V) to rescale it. Now it looks better, huh?
5 design tnt illustrator quick tip scale effects Quick Tip: How to scale effects, strokes and patterns in Illustrator
This also works for patterns, not just graphic styles and strokes.