Adobe Illustrator CS3 User Manual

Page 312

ILLUSTRATOR CS3

User Guide

306

Select characters

Selecting characters lets you edit them, format them using the Character panel, apply fill and stroke attributes to
them, and change their transparency. You can apply these changes to one character, a range of characters, or all
characters in a type object. When characters are selected, they are highlighted in the document window and the word
“Characters” appears in the Appearance panel.

❖

Select any type tool, and do one of the following:

•

Drag to select one or more characters. Shift-drag to extend or reduce the selection.

•

Position the pointer in a word, and double-click to select that word.

•

Position the pointer in a paragraph, and triple-click to select the entire paragraph.

•

Select one or more characters, and choose Select > All to select all the characters in the type object.

Select type objects

Selecting a type object lets you apply global formatting options to all the characters in the object, including options
from the Character and Paragraph panels, fill and stroke attributes, and transparency settings. In addition, you can
apply effects, multiple fills and strokes, and opacity masks to a selected type object. (This is not possible for individ-
ually selected characters.) When a type object is selected, a bounding box appears around it in the document window
and the word “Type” appears in the Appearance panel.

❖

Do any of the following:

•

In the document window, click the type with the Selection tool

or the Direct Selection tool

. Shift-click to

select additional type objects.

•

In the Layers panel, locate the type object you want to select and then click its right edge, between the target button
and the scroll bar. Shift-click at the right edge of items in the Layers panel to add or remove objects to the existing
selection.

•

To select all type objects in a document, choose Select > Object > Text Objects.

Select a type path

Selecting a type path lets you adjust its shape and apply fill and stroke attributes to it. This level of selection is not
available for point type. When a type path is selected, the word “Path” appears in the Appearance panel.

Selecting a type path is easiest when you’re in Outline view.

Select the Direct Selection tool

or the Group Selection tool

If the type object is selected, click outside the object’s bounding box to deselect it.

Click on the type path, being careful not to click on the characters. (If you do click on a character, you will select

the type object instead of the type path.)