Select an object behind another object

[jay fresno]

I used to be able to hold down Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and click on overlapping objects to select objects underneath. It is not working for me in Illustrator CC 2019. Has this changed in Illustrator CC 2019?

[Monika Gause]

And right-click "Select object below" does not work either?

[Jessica274900604ibj]

Thank you for the suggestion; I had not realized that drop down existed.

It's a decent work around for the moment, but definitely not as seamless as a keyboard shortcut that works appropriately.

[Monika Gause]

Please make this a feature request. I'm sure there is room for improvement: https://illustrator.uservoice.com 

[schroef]

This is already a feature she is describing?!

[Monika Gause]

This is already a feature she is describing?!

By @schroef

Just read the subthread ...

This is about groups being selected properly when selecting behind.

[schroef]

What subthread?

This thread is about selecting objects behind other objects using a key-combo.

[PacoD]

@Jessica274900604ibj
 @schroef
Hi!

Perhaps a step-by-step might help understanding how to deal with hidden objects/shapes. This is how it was explained to me and I found quite useful.

1. Starting with a hidden object, in this case a red circle "behind" a yellow square, as shown in the layers panel below.


 

2. Holding Ctrl (Cmd) key down, click on the visible object (square), the pointer will turn hollow with a very small chevron pointing to the left next to it.

Continue clicking in areas within the visible object until the edges of the hidden object appear.

3. Let go of the Ctrl(Comnd) key.

The bounding box of the hidden object will appear and the pointer will turn solid with a small square next to it.

4. Hover the solid pointer a) over the center of the bounding box or b) the edge of the object, until the small square next to the pointer turns into a reference point locator icon.

5. As long as the solid pointer is shown with the reference point locator icon you can then drag the hidden object from 'behind' and into view as shown below.

¶