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Inspiring
June 11, 2019
Question

How to select objects by circling it without moving an object which is on the background?

  • June 11, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 8545 views

How to select object by circling it without moving an object which is on the background?

without locking the backgorund object.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    meganchi
    Legend
    June 11, 2019

    Could you select everything, then use your arrow tool, hold down shift key and select the big object to deselect it? That will result in all of the small objects being selected.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2019

    Try the lasso tool. But depends on the nature and position of the background object.

    Without seeing even a screenshot, it's difficult to advise.

    danezeqAuthor
    Inspiring
    June 11, 2019
    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2019

    If, in attempting to marquee-select an object, you click/drag on a different live, unlocked object, you're going to move that other object; it's practically a 'law of physics'. Instead, you could:

    • Lock the background object (not sure why you refuse to consider it)
    • Marquee-select, starting away from both objects, dragging across both; press shift and repeat, stopping short of the object you want to leave selected
    • Marquee-select, starting away from both objects, dragging across both; press shift and click on the background object to deselect it and leave the target object selected
    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2019

    danezeq,

    How about just Alt/OptionClicking it?

    Until something is selected, Illy (job description Adobe Illustrator) will (be fooled to) believe that you wish to select what you click, in this case the topmost (background) object.

    danezeqAuthor
    Inspiring
    June 11, 2019

    Do you mean NOT to circle the objects?

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2019

    danezeq,

    Do you mean NOT to circle the objects?

    I did, but that was when you said object (meaning one object) which can be selected in full by Alt/OptionClicking with the Direct Selection Tool (sorry, I forgot to mention that), even if the object is part of a Group.

    When you are saying objects, as in more than one, you can hold Shift from the beginning to select multiple objects by Alt/OptionClicking (or just Clicking with the Selection Tool if applicable).