- #31 Selecting Path Segments and Paths
- #32 Defining, Selecting, and Isolating Groups
- #33 Selecting, Editing, and Aligning Anchors
- #34 Selecting Similar Objects
- #35 Editing with the Bounding Box
- #36 Duplicating
- #37 Scaling
- #38 Rotating
- #39 Shearing (Skewing)
- #40 Distorting with Envelopes
- #41 Using Pathfinders
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
#34 Selecting Similar Objects
Illustrator CS4 lets you choose from a list of same objects that you can quickly select. For example, if you want to select all objects that, for instance, have the same fill and stroke as a selected object, choose Select > Same > Fill & Stroke (Figure 34a).
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Figure 34a Selecting objects with the same fill and stroke.
In addition to selecting all objects with the same stroke and fill, you can select objects with the same blending mode, fill color, opacity, stroke color, and stroke weight. There are other, more esoteric attributes that you can use to filter selections with as well.
You can also use the Object submenus (Select > Object) to select all of a variety of objects. One of the most useful options on this menu is Stray Points. This feature provides you with the ability to select (and then delete) stray anchors. It is easy to create stray anchors unintentionally—for instance, when you click with the Pen tool and don't end up creating a path. Stray anchors unnecessarily increase file size and your print area. Detect them by choosing Select > Object > Stray Points (Figure 34b).
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Figure 34b Detecting stray points.
Another selection technique is the Magic Wand tool. It is used to select objects whose fill colors are very similar to the RGB color settings of the fill color of the clicked on object (Figure 34c).
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Figure 34c Selecting like-colored objects with the Magic Wand tool.
You can tweak how carefully the Magic Wand tool discriminates between shades of fill colors, stroke colors, or stroke weight by opening the little-used Magic Wand panel (from the Window menu). Or, you can open the panel by double-clicking the tool in the toolbar.