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Participating Frequently
Jul 26, 2022 8:25 AM UTC
Answered

Selection Tool Won't Select Objects

Sorry, I'm sure this is the stupidest question ever. 

 

I think I've accidentally hit a keyboard shortcut, my Selection Tool is acting just like the Direct Selection Tool. I can't get it to select whole objects, in fact it doesn't really select anything. When the cursor comes near a line, it's accompanied by a rectangle with 8 dots on the perimeter and one dot in the centre. Or sometimes it has a small black rectangular dot next to the cursor. 

 

I don't think I'm in isolation mode

 

Please help, I can't use illustrator at all

 

Help!

ricon_8642Correct answer
Participant
Nov 2, 2024 11:08 AM UTC

to setup SELECT option: you go to : EDIT / PREFERENCE / SELECTION & ANCHOR DISPLAY....

It will help you to use SELECTION tool easily

5 replies

ricon_8642Correct answer
Participant
Nov 2, 2024 11:08 AM UTC

to setup SELECT option: you go to : EDIT / PREFERENCE / SELECTION & ANCHOR DISPLAY....

It will help you to use SELECTION tool easily

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Anshul_Saini
Community Manager
Community Manager
Jul 27, 2022 1:09 AM UTC

Hi @benb70957463,

 

Sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. In addition to the steps suggested above, would you mind trying resetting Illustrator preferences (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-preference-issues.html) as well?

Also, please confirm the exact version of OS & Illustrator and was this happening in a specific file or all?

 

We will be looking forward to your response.

 

Thanks & Regards,
Anshul Saini

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Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jul 26, 2022 9:59 AM UTC

You may check if the Bounding Box (and perhaps Edges) are turned off.

 

View menu: Show Bounding Box, Show Edges.

 

And perhaps you are in Outline Mode.

 

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Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
Jul 26, 2022 9:50 AM UTC

And what happens when you click on something?

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Participating Frequently
Jul 26, 2022 9:59 AM UTC

I get a tiny, tiny"x" on the line and then nothing. 

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