- Introduction
- Understanding Vector and Raster Graphics
- Understanding Paths
- Creating Rectangles and Ellipses
- Creating Polygons and Stars
- Creating Line Segments
- Creating Arcs and Spirals
- Creating Grids
- Understanding Selections
- Using the Selection Tool
- Using the Direct Selection Tool
- Using the Lasso Tool
- Using the Magic Wand Tool
- Selecting and Grouping
- Selecting Similar Objects
- Saving and Editing Selections
- Moving Objects
- Duplicating Objects
- Aligning and Distributing Objects
- Transforming Objects
- Using the Free Transform Tool
- Rotating and Scaling Objects
- Reflecting and Shearing Objects
- Applying Multiple Transformations
- Reshaping Objects with Envelopes
Selecting and Grouping
Selecting and grouping objects makes it easier to work with multiple objects as if they were a single object. You can easily select, isolate, cut, copy, paste, move, recolor, and transform a grouped object. You can group all types of objects, yet still edit individual objects within the group as needed without having to ungroup them first by using Isolation Mode. Illustrator places a grouped object on the top level of the top object in the group and uses the same selection color. If you no longer need to group objects, you can ungroup them.
Create a Group
- Select the Selection tool on the Tools panel.
- Use a selection method to select the objects that you want in the group.
- Click the Objects menu, and then click Group.
- You can use the Group command again to group objects already in a group; this is known as a nested group.
Ungroup Objects
- Select the Selection tool on the Tools panel.
- Select the grouped objects that you want to ungroup.
- Click the Objects menu, and then click Ungroup.
- If you have nested groups within an object, you can use the Ungroup command again to ungroup it.
Use Isolation Mode to Work with Groups
- Select the Selection tool on the Tools panel.
- Double-click a grouped object.
- You need to click the Isolate Selected Group button on the Control panel or select the Double-click to Isolate check box in General preferences.
A gray bar appears with the name of the group at the top of the document window. All objects outside the group are dimmed out and uneditable. The words “Isolation Mode” also appear on the Layers panel.
- Edit individual objects or add new objects to the group.
- To exit Isolation Mode, click the gray bar.