Select multiple objects

[umit_gunes]

Hi,

I have been using AutoCAD and Visio and now I have a problem with selecting multiple objects. They have a solution for the below problem but I couldn't find a solution for illustrator.

I would like to select some object which is totally in the scanned rectangle as you see below.

So that means I would like to select just two short lines.

But Illustrator selects all the lanes that the scanned rectangle touches. See the figure below:

How can I select only the object that is totally in the scanned rectangle.

Thank you very much.

[JETalmage]

The functionality you're referring to is generically called a "contact sensitive" option for the selection tools. Other programs provide that option. When it's on, a selection marquee selects anything it touches. When it's off, a selection marquee selects only the objects it encloses.

Illustrator—at least as of version CS6—does not provide that common option. It's an age-old feature request.

For my own purposes, I devised a couple of Javascripts that I can run after making a marquee selection with the white pointer, as an awkward workaround. The "Select Partials" script adds the unselected nodes of partially-selected paths to the selection. The "Deselect Partials" deselects paths of which only some nodes are selected.

JET

[Mike_Gondek · Accepted solution]

When using the selection tool on Adobe products such as Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects the entire item will be selected if your marquee is drawn over an part of the object. There is no way in Illustrator to do exactly what you ask, without using a script.

Illustrator though has many many tools that help with selections. Best I can suggest for your example is  the lasso tool, which can allow you to make this selection in one pass. Start at the green dot with lasso tool mouse down, draw counter clockwuise until the red dot and mouse up.

Very useful in helping with complex selection is  hiding or locking of objects.  I prefer hiding and use that daily to make complex selections.

[umit_gunes]

Hi,

Thank you very much.

Lasso tool is great.

Best,

[Mike_Gondek]

Glad that helps.

If you ever have to edit a pdf in Acrobat, I find that selection tool works as you are accustomed to. I for years did not know that, but once I realized that was a big help. Editing vectors in Acrobat is something you want to avoid, but sometimes you have no choice, when that is what client sends.

[umit_gunes]

Thank you,

Yes, it is a big help!

Best,