I'm drawing a map, and for that I use the type along a path tool. What I want to achieve is a stroke and fill for the text and a stroke for the path at the same time, so it stays fully editable. It appears that you can only do either one or the other. Basically, I'm drawing a map in the GoogleMaps style. If you look at the small streets you notice that the text has a fill and a stroke applied to it, since it overlaps the much smaller path. Does this make sense?

I found a post that explains how to add a stroke to the path: "hold down the Alt / Option key at the same time, in the Appearance Tab / Window, -you should get the option of adding the stroke or fill back to the path. Notes: This worked in CS4. The Text on Path / path needed to be unselected & then re-selected with the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) first (after Text on Path has been applied)." But then it seems impossible to add a stroke to the text, it makes the stroke of the path disappear every time I try!

I know usually this is achieved by duplicating the layer, one for the path and one for the text, but if you then have to make changes to the paths it becomes a great mess. For that reason I'm looking for a way to combine it. A solution would be very much appreciated.

...in CS5 this is technically possble, but your best advised to use a heavy bold/black typeface for the font...

...so, draw the path, add the text to the path (in a bold/heavy typeface), add a stroke to the path with direct select tool, set the desired stroke weight...

...the with the type tool, select the text as normal and apply a stroke to the text...the reason for using a heavy/bold typeface is because the stroke only goes one way, and  that is "inward" on the text, so the bolder or heavier the typeface used, the more stroke weight you can get away with...

http://www.zen63258.zen.co.uk/tek/Screen%20Shot%202012-02-13%20at%2015.47.09.png

...there are pros and cons to techniques, it's more flexible in many ways to keep text separate from underlying paths...but as above, it is possble (at least in CS5).

Andrew
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www.apepp.info - Graphic Design and Web Design, Exeter, Devon, UK.
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Thanks for that Andrew.

I suppose it's a solution, all though if you look closely it makes the font look a bit jagged and untidy in the corners. The benefit of adding a fill and stroke through the appearance panel is that the stroke can be moved to behind the actual stroke of the typeface, thus avoiding untidyness. Since that is not an option I will do it in the way you suggest. Thanks again!