decorative banner

Using the selection tools


    You select objects with the following selection tools:

    • The selection tool  the selection tool lets you select entire paths, objects, and groups by selecting any spot on them (or within them if the path, object, or group is filled). When the selection tool is over an unselected path, object, or group, it changes to  the selection tool when it is over an unselected path, object, or group. When it is over a selected path, object, or group, the tool changes to  the pen tip changes to an arrowhead . When it is over an anchor point, a hollow square appears next to the arrow the selection tool when it is over an anchor point of an unselected path or object or the selection tool when it is over an anchor point of a selected path or object, depending on whether the path, object, or group is selected or not.
    • The direct-selection tool  the direct-selection tool lets you select individual anchor points or segments on a path. All direction lines then appear on that part of the path for adjusting. When the direct-selection tool is over an unselected path or object, it changes to the direct-selection tool when it is over the anchor point of an unselected path or object . When it is over the anchor point of a selected path or object, it changes to the direct-selection tool when it is over the anchor point of a selected path or object .
    • The group-selection tool The group-selection tool lets you select an object within a group, a single group within multiple groups, or a set of groups within the artwork. Each additional click adds all objects from the next group in the hierarchy. (See Grouping and ungrouping objects.)
    • The lasso tool The lasso tool lets you select entire paths and objects by dragging around any part of the path.
    • The direct-lasso tool  the direct-lasso tool lets you select individual anchor points or segments on a path by dragging around parts of a path. All direction lines then appear on that part of the path for adjusting.
    • The magic wand tool The magic wand tool lets you select objects of the same color, stroke weight, stroke color, opacity, or blending mode by clicking in a colored area.

    TipTo use the last-used selection, direct-selection, or group-selection tool when using any other tool (except these selection tools), hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).

To select an entire object or line:

  1. Select the selection tool  the selection tool or the group-selection tool The group-selection tool .
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If the object is filled and you are in Preview view, click within the object.

    Note: Clicking a filled object in Preview view selects the object only if the Use Area Select option in the General Preferences dialog box is selected. (See Selecting filled objects.)

    • Click the path of the object.
    • Click an anchor point of the object.
    • Drag a dotted rectangle, called a marquee, around part or all of the object.

To select an entire object or line with the lasso tool:

  1. Select the lasso tool The lasso tool .
  2. Drag around or across the object.

To select a segment:

    Do one of the following:

    • Select the direct-selection tool  the direct-selection tool , and then click within 2 pixels of the segment or drag a marquee over part of the segment.
    • Select the direct-lasso tool  the direct-lasso tool , and drag around part of the segment.

    When you select a segment, all of the anchor points on the path are displayed, including all direction lines and direction points on that part of the path if the selected segment is curved. Direction points appear as filled circles; selected anchor points appear as filled squares; unselected anchor points appear as hollow squares.

To deselect a segment:

    Using a selection tool, Shift-click or Shift-drag over the path or segment you want to deselect.

To add or remove selections with the selection, direct-selection, or group-selection tool:

    Hold down Shift while selecting or deselecting additional objects or segments.

To add or remove selections with the lasso or direct-lasso tool:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Hold down Shift while selecting to add to the selection.
    • Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to subtract from the selection.