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T
TracyCreative
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2023
Answered

Turn off copy and paste maintains group

  • February 8, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1457 views

When I copy an element in one my illustrator doc and paste it into the same doc it automatically groups it with the copied object. Then I have to ungroup it if I want to move it around independently. Its really annoying. I cant find anything in preferences to turn off this automatic grouping. Any ideas? Its a fairly recent feature. 

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Correct answer Rene Andritsch

As Ton mentions, if you copy while inside Isolation Mode and paste the copied oject will still be part of the group. That’s why I suggested the Group Selection Tool to select the object you want before copying.

2 replies

T
TracyCreativeAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2023

For example. I have an icon thats made up of a few separate lines. They are grouped.I want to copy one of these lines so I isolate and select that line and copy it.

 

Now I paste it elsewhere on my artboard. By default it has stayed groupoed with the orginal group. So I have to go in and ungroup it if I want to move it around. This is annoying as I'm trying to create something new from this element. Its a process I use all the time and I dont want the auto grouping. 

 

 

Rene Andritsch
Community Expert
Rene AndritschCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 8, 2023

As Ton mentions, if you copy while inside Isolation Mode and paste the copied oject will still be part of the group. That’s why I suggested the Group Selection Tool to select the object you want before copying.

    T
    TracyCreativeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    February 8, 2023

    Thanks Rene your direct selection tool also works. I didnt even know that was a tool! 

      Rene Andritsch
      Community Expert
      Rene AndritschCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 8, 2023

      You said you copy one element only? What do you mean with it is grouped with the copied element. Can you do a screen capture or screenshot of how it looks?

      If it is a grouped object, did you try to select the one element it with the Group Selection tool and then paste it? This should paste it without grouping. The tool can be found with the Direct Selection Tool (press the icon longer to see the tool)

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