Page 23 - CC2018_AI_Look_Inside

Understanding Selection Basics Curve handle controls

Most Illustrator objects (including shapes like rounded-
ILLUSTRATOR FOUNDATIONS graphics. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about the the shape of the path
Path (line) segment
corner rectangles) contain two basic building blocks: anchor
points and paths. These building blocks are the heart of vector
Anchor point
geometric specifics of vectors because Illustrator manages them
for you — but you do need to understand the basic concept of
how Illustrator works with anchor points and paths. You should
also understand how to access those building blocks so you can do more than create
basic shapes.
If you select an object with the Selection tool (the solid
arrow), you can see the bounding box that identifies the
tool (the hollow arrow), you can see the anchor points and
paths that make up the selected object. As you work with
outermost dimensions of the shape. Bounding box handles,
Illustrator, keep this distinction in mind: use the Selection
which you can use to resize the shape, appear at the edges When you select an object with the Direct Selection
of the bounding box. (Press Command/Control-Shift-B to tool to select an entire object; use the Direct Selection tool
show or hide the bounding box of selected objects.) to edit the points and paths of an object.
Selection tool Direct Selection tool

Click any part of an object
to select the entire object.
Bounding box handles
mark the outer dimensions Click to select a
of the selection. specific line segment
or point on a shape.

Click any part of a group
to select the entire group.

Click an object’s fill to
select the entire object,
even if it is part of a group.
Clicking and dragging to draw a marquee with the
Selection tool…
Clicking and dragging to draw a marquee
with the Direct Selection tool…

…selects any object touched by the marquee.
…selects only points within the marquee.

Project 1: Campground Icons 35