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Selecting and modifying slices


    The method you use to select a slice, as well as the ways you can modify a slice, depend on how the slice was created. There are fewer options for modifying slices that were created using the Object > Slice > Make command, because these slices are tied to the size and position of elements in your artwork.

To select a slice:

    Do one of the following:

    • Select the slice select tool  the slice select tool and click on a slice. Shift-click to select additional slices. When working with overlapping slices, click the visible section of an underlying slice to select it.
    • To select a slice that was created using the slice tool, the Object > Slice > Create from Selection command, or the Object > Slice > Create from Guides command, select the corresponding <Slice> item in the Layers palette.
    • To select a slice that was created using the Object > Slice > Make command, select the corresponding artwork on the artboard. Use the Layers palette to select the artwork if the slice is tied to a group or layer. (See Selecting artwork in layers.)

    For information on selecting slices in the Save for Web dialog box, see Working with slices during optimization.

To move or resize a slice:

  1. Select a slice.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • To move a slice, select the slice select tool, move the pointer inside the slice selection border, and drag the slice to a new position. Press Shift to restrict movement to a vertical, horizontal, or 45° diagonal line. If the slice was created using the Object > Slice > Make command, the corresponding artwork also moves.
    • To resize a slice, select the selection tool, and drag a side or a corner handle of the slice. You cannot resize a slice that was created using the Object > Slice > Make command.
    • To resize or move a slice using numeric coordinates, choose Window > Transform, and enter the desired coordinates. (See Using the Transform palette.)

To divide a slice:

  1. Select a slice that was created using the slice tool, the Object > Slice > Create from Selection command, or the Object > Slice > Create from Guides command. You cannot divide a slice that was created using the Object > Slice > Make command.
  2. Choose Object > Slice > Divide Slices.
  3. In the Divide Slice dialog box, select from the following options:
    • Divide Horizontally Into to divide the slice or slices lengthwise.
    • Divide Vertically Into to divide the slice or slices width-wise.
  4. Define how you want to divide each selected slice, and click OK:
    • Enter a value for slices down or slices across to divide each slice evenly into the specified number of slices.
    • Enter a value for pixels per slice to divide each slice based on the specified number of pixels. Any section of a slice that is left over is made into another slice.

To duplicate a slice:

    Select a slice, and do one of the following:

    • Choose Object > Slice > Duplicate Slice.
    • Choose Edit > Copy. To paste the slice into another file, open the destination file, and then choose Edit > Paste.

To combine slices:

  1. Select the slices you want to combine. You cannot combine slices that were created using the Object > Slice > Make command.
  2. Choose Object > Slice > Combine Slices.
  3. The resulting slice takes its dimensions and position from the rectangle created by joining the outer edges of the combined slices. If the combined slices are not adjacent or are of different proportions or alignments, the new slice may overlap other slices.

To change the stacking order of slices:

  1. Select a slice.
  2. Do one of the following:

To align or distribute slices:

  1. Select the slices you want to align or distribute.
  2. Choose Window > Align, and click the type of alignment or distribution you want to apply to the slices. (See Aligning and distributing objects vertically and horizontally.) If the slices were created using the Object > Slice > Make command, the corresponding artwork also moves.
  3. Aligning slices can eliminate unneeded auto slices to generate a smaller, more efficient HTML file.

To lock slices:

    Choose View > Lock Slices.

    Locking slices prevents you from making changes accidentally, such as resizing or moving. The Lock Slices command does not affect slices that were created using the Object > Slice > Make command.

    TipUse the Layers palette to lock individual slices that were created using the slice tool, the Object > Slice > Create from Selection command, or the Object > Slice > Create from Guides command. (See Locking artwork.)