Selecting and deselecting objects

Before applying any operation to objects in your drawing, you need to select them. When an object is selected, eight sizing handles appear at the corners and midpoints of an otherwise invisible rectangle, called the selection box.

Selecting more than one object lets you apply the same commands to all of them at once. When you select multiple objects, a single selection box encloses all of the objects.

Selecting by clicking

The quickest way to select a single object is to use the Pick tool pre00039.gif to click the object. You can also select multiple objects by holding down SHIFT as you click the objects you wish to select. You can select all objects by using the Pick tool or the Edit menu.

Selecting by dragging

Another way of selecting objects is to drag a marquee box around the object or objects you wish to select using the Pick tool. Holding down ALT as you marquee select allows you to select all objects touched by the marquee, even those that are not completely enclosed.

Tip

pre00002.gif When you select an object, you indicate that you want your next action to apply to that object. When you deselect an object, you indicate that you want to stop manipulating it and move on to another task.

pre00000.gifRelated topics

Drawing basic shapes

Shaping lines, curves, and curve objects

Drawing and shaping objects

Changing the properties of a polygon or star

To apply line-ending shapes using the Outline Pen dialog box

Organizing objects