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jeroenb67056000
jeroenb67056000
Participant
July 30, 2018
Answered

Selecting multiple objects in illustrator includes unwanted objects as well

  • July 30, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 5379 views

Hi guys,

I've been struggling with this for a while now.

For a brochure, I have several frames with product content inside.

Everytime I want to select multiple text inside a frame, the selection automatically includes the frame into the selection as well. Very annoying, because i only want to select the text actually. I recently found out that it only happens when I select an area that contains the center anchor point of the frame (you can see this marked in red in the picture, so Illustrator recognizes this actually as a 'thing' in selecting). Does anyone know how to turn off this annoying feature?

Good to know:

- It is a non-filled, stroke-only frame. So I can't select the fill or anything, that's not it.

- Of course I know the option to put the frame on lock, but that doesn't work flexible enough for me because i have to lock and unlock the frames too many times.

-

If anyone can help me with this, that would be great!

Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ton Frederiks

Select the rectangle and choose Window > Attributes > Show All > Don't Show Center.

Or use the selection tools to Shift select the text.

4 replies

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 30, 2018

jeroenb,

What happens if you just select the frame, then tick the Don't show center box in the Attributes palette?

Edit: Hi Ton. One of us opened the thread, then was away for a while.

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 30, 2018

Select the rectangle and choose Window > Attributes > Show All > Don't Show Center.

Or use the selection tools to Shift select the text.

jeroenb67056000
jeroenb67056000Author
Participant
July 30, 2018

When I do that, it only shows 'Show Overprint Only' and 'Hide Note'. I don't see 'Don't show center box' anywhere.

EDIT! I didn't select the rectangle first. It's working now, thanks guys!!!! Next question, is there a place where I can set this to default?

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 30, 2018

Go to the fly out menu:

Attributes > Show All > Don't Show Center

edit, I see you found it.

macpawel
macpawel
Participating Frequently
July 30, 2018

You can also select first text (Direct Selection Tool - A) and press Alt key and click on second text - it should add block of text only

pawel

macpawel
macpawel
Participating Frequently
July 30, 2018

Use Direct Selection Tool (A) - White Arrow

pawel

jeroenb67056000
jeroenb67056000Author
Participant
July 30, 2018

Hmmm. macpawel Direct Selection Tool doesn't seem to do the trick either.

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