Expand and release Live Paint groups

Last updated on Sep 11, 2025

Learn how to expand and release Live Paint groups to convert your artwork into fully editable vector shapes.

Expand Live Paint groups

When you expand a Live Paint group, Illustrator converts it into one or more standard paths while preserving the look of your painted faces and edges. Expanded paths allow detailed styling with the Appearance panel, strokes, brushes, and transparency.

Select the Group Selection tool from the tool panel, and then select the Live Paint group you want to expand.

Select Object > Live Paint > Expand.

A star-shaped pattern is drawn over the Illustrator UI, where the Expand option is highlighted under Object and then the Live Paint menu.
Select each individual pattern, line or fill and change accordingly.

Select and move the individual paths as needed.

Release Live Paint groups

Releasing a Live Paint group changes it to one or more ordinary paths with no fill and a 0.5 pt black stroke.

Select the Group Selection tool, and then select the Live Paint group to release.

Select Object > Live Paint > Release.

A star-shaped pattern is drawn over the Illustrator UI where the Release option is highlighted under Object, and then the Live Paint menu.
Select Release to convert the vector image into no fills and 0.5 pt black stroke.

Select and move the individual paths as needed.