Deleting multiple points on a curve

[mrjackson]

I know the command to delete indiviual points is "-", however I am looking for a way of selecting a grouping of the points to delete them at one time. This is not to be confused with using the smooth tool, or the simplify command that would work on an entire selected shape. 

I would like to marquee select or lasso select areas on a path to simplify just that section. 

Any suggestions?

MJ

[Larry G. Schneider]

Have you tried the Direct Select (open white arrow) combined with the Shift key? It should make a group of the selected anchor points.

[Kurt Gold]

The Smooth command and the Simplify command (both located in the Object menu) actually do work on selected anchor points (not just on entire paths).

Moreover, you can use the Object menu > Path > Remove Anchor Points command (or the button in the Control palette) to remove selected anchor points.

[mrjackson]

Kurt, I think you got it. Thanks! 

When I did a marquee selection over the mass of points in the upper left, I ran simplify on it and the program did a good job of elminating a lot of points and still preserved the original shape. Then I did the Remove Anchor Points on the selected points, I lost the integrity of the original shape.  I have Simplify set up as F16 on my shortcuts, so all I to do now is drag across a pile of points and hit F16.

 Thanks! Mike Jackson

[mrjackson]

This screen grab shows two of the circles with dozens of extra points. I don't know what causes it, but I see it fairly often. I can easily replace the trashed circles with clean ones, but not every shape is a simple one like the circle.  The marquee selection and simplify command seems to do the job.

[Kurt Gold]

There are many reasons why these extra points may occur. In Illustrator expanded brushes, expanded effects, expanded envelopes, expanded width profiles and whatnot may cause it.

Also, imported .wmf files, .svg files, files from GIS applications, files from architectural applications etc. etc. may cause funny surprise.