Working with Objects > Selecting objects |
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Selecting objects
You can select objects with the Pointer, Subselect, or Lasso tools, or by using keyboard shortcuts or menu commands.
The Pointer, Subselect, and Lasso tools let you select objects or points by clicking. The Pointer and Subselect tools also let you select objects or points by dragging a rectangular selection marquee. The Lasso tool lets you select objects and points by dragging a free-form selection marquee.
By default, the selection marquee must completely enclose an object or point to select it. You can change this behavior in Preferences so that dragging the selection marquee over any part of an object's edge selects the object.
You can also change how closely you must click to an object with the Pointer tool to select the object.
To prevent selecting or changing an object, you can hide it. You can also prevent changes to an object by locking it, but you can still select the locked object.
To set Pointer, Subselect, and Lasso tool options:
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Double-click the tool in the Tools panel. |
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In the tool's dialog box, do one of the following: |
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Deselect Contact Sensitive if you want to select only objects and points that are completely enclosed by the selection marquee. Points that lie within the selection area will still be selected. |
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Select Contact Sensitive if you want to select objects or groups that are only partially enclosed by the selection marquee. |
Note: The Pointer and Subselect tools use the same Contact Sensitive setting. |
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To specify how closely you must click to an object to select it:
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Choose Edit > Preferences. Click General. |
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Enter a value from 1 to 5 pixels in the Pick Distance text box and click OK. |
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To select an object using the Pointer tool, do one of the following:
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Using the Pointer tool, click the object. If the object has no fill, click its stroke to select it.
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If you are using a tool other than the Pointer tool, hold down Control (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) to temporarily use the Pointer, and then click the object. |
To select an object or point using the Subselect tool, do one of the following:
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Using the Subselect tool, click the object, path, or point. This selects only the part you click, even if it is contained in a grouped object.
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If you are using the Pointer tool, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) to temporarily use the Subselect tool, and then click the object, path, or point. |
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If you are using a tool other than the Pointer tool, hold down Control+Alt (Windows) or Command+Option (Macintosh) to temporarily use the Subselect tool, and then click the object, path, or point. |
To select an object using the Lasso tool:
Drag the Lasso tool to define a selection marquee around the object or points you want to select.
To add an object to a selection:
Hold down Shift as you select an object or point.
To select all objects on the active page, do one of the following:
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Choose Edit > Select > All. |
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Press Control+A (Windows) or Command+A (Macintosh). |
To select all objects in a document, do one of the following:
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Choose Edit > Select > All in Document. |
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Press Control+Shift+A (Windows) or Command+Shift+A (Macintosh). |
To deselect all objects in a document:
Choose Edit > Select > None or press Tab.
To select all objects except the current selection:
Choose Edit > Select > Invert Selection.
To delete a selection without storing it on the Clipboard:
Choose Edit > Clear or press Delete.
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