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TEOM as you know it has been closed. I will keep it up for reference but it no longer will receive tutorial updates.

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Thanks for the support throughout all these years :)

Illustrator CS2

Rounded Rectangle Corner Radius

Rounded Rectangle Corner Radius tutorial preview.

Exact Dimensions

If you know the exact dimensions of the shape, simply select the Rounded Rectangle tool and click once on the canvas to open the options box.
Insert the width, height and corner radius and click OK.

Arrow Keys

If you just want to experiment with the rounded rectangle, use the arrow keys while creating the shape (that is, dragging the mouse):

Use the top arrow key to increase the radius.
Use the bottom arrow key to decrease the radius.
Use the left arrow key to completely decrease the radius (sharp corners).
Use the right arrow key to completely increase the radius (completely round corners).

Convert to Shape

A trick for modifying the radius after you’ve created the shape is to use the Convert to Shape effect.

To use it, go to Effect » Convert to Shape » Rounded Rectangle.
» Settings: absolute, width and height are up to you, new corner radius value.
» Settings: relative, extra width + extra height = 0, corner radius value = (up to you).

After you’ve applied the effect you can either:

a) Keep the shape as it is, which means, the original path visible and the new path created by the effect. By doing this, you can always modify the radius again by opening the Appearance palette and double-clicking on the effect name.

b) Go to Object » Expand Appearance to remove the original path. Note, however, that if you want to modify the shape in the future, you’ll have to apply the effect again.

Last edit: June 23, 2006 » changed the settings for the Rounded Rectangle effect.

Tools, Menus and Palettes · Jul 22, 2005 ·