: Illustrator different color stroke Is it possible to paint only inside a stroke on illustrator? what i actually want to do is paint the same stroke with different colors in diferent segments

@Bethany839

This is a pretty old question but it seems the poster didn't get what he is asking for. Hopefully this will help anyone who stumbles on this.

It seems like what the poster is actually looking for is a clipping mask.


His comment on Scott's answer:


ok... just in case... theres no way to group an image inside the stroke?


A clipping path is basically cutting through a certain image or shape or group of shapes by using another shape as a "mold" to cut through it. (Think cookie-cutter)

It's a very useful feature and is a bit similar to masks in Photoshop. Here's how to do a clipping path.

1) Select the shape you want to cut through (In this example, the red losange pattern)

2) Select the shape you want to use as the "mold" (in this example, the words "Extra Extra"). (Note: if you're using type as a "mold", it doesn't need to be outlined and can be live-edited. If you're using multiple shapes as the mold, they must be grouped together but not grouped with the shape you want to cut through. The same applies to the contrary. When using multiple shapes as the background shape, they must be grouped together, but you cannot group them with the mold.

3) Make sure the "mold" is on top of the shape you want to cut through. (Right click -> arrange -> bring to front"

4) Select both shapes.

5) Make clipping path using right click -> "Make clipping mask" or the "Object -> Clipping Mask -> Make" menu. (This won't be available if both objects are grouped together.

6) You can then "release" the path or move it using the direct selection.

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@Turnbaugh909

Simply apply the gradient to the stroke and adjust the options ....



Only possible in Illustrator CS6 or newer.

Make your own worms...... :)



Or the burger shape....



A gradient is the only way to have more than one color assigned to a single stroke. You can use the Appearance Panel to stack strokes of varying colors, but if you want one stroke to change mid-stream, so to speak, you must use a gradient.

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@Smith574

From what you are looking to do you would:


Create the text
In the Appearance Panel the default should be black but click white.
Create a gradient by going to Window > Gradient or Ctrl+F9
After creating the gradient drag it in the Swatches Panel.
Go back to the Appearance Panel and create a new fill layer under the fill color of your text, which should be white.
Select the gradient you created from the Drop down when you click the below fill
With the lower fill selected go to Effect > Path > Offset Path and mess with the settings.


It should take your gradient and make what appears as an outer stroke.

Example:

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