Page 26 - CS6_GD_Look_Inside.pdf
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Selection Basics Curve handle controls
Most Illustrator objects (including shapes like rounded-
ILLUSTRATOR FOUNDATIONS heart of vector graphics. Fortunately, you don’t need to the shape of the path
Path (line) segment
corner rectangles) contain two basic building blocks:
anchor points and paths. These building blocks are the
worry about the geometric specifics of vectors because
Anchor point
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.
When you select an object with the Selection tool (the solid arrow), you can see the bounding box that identifies the
outermost dimensions of the shape. Around the edges of the bounding box you see the bounding box handles, which you
can use to resize the shape. (Press Command/Control-Shift-B to show or hide the bounding box of selected objects.)
When you select an object with the Direct Selection tool (the hollow arrow), you can see the anchor points and paths
that make up the selected object rather than the object’s bounding box. As you work with Illustrator, keep this distinction in
mind: use the Selection tool to select an entire object; use the Direct Selection tool to edit the points and paths of an object.
Selection tool Direct Selection tool
Click any part of Click an object’s fill to
an object to select select the entire object.
the entire object.
Bounding box
handles mark the Click to select a
outer dimensions specific line segment
of the selection. or point on a shape.
Click any part of a Click to select only
group to select the one piece of a group.
entire group.
Clicking and dragging
to draw a marquee
Clicking and with the Direct
dragging to draw a Selection tool…
marquee with the
Selection tool…
…selects only specific
…selects any object anchor points within
even partially touched the marquee.
by the marquee.
46 Project 1: International Symbols
