Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
As you drag, you may notice the green lines that appear. These are called
alignment
guides
and are visible because Smart Guides are turned on (View > Smart Guides). As
you drag, the objects are aligned to other objects on the artboard. Also notice the
measurement label (gray box) next to the pointer that shows the object's distance from
its original position. Measurement labels also appear because Smart Guides are turned
on.
8.
Deselect the circles by clicking the artboard where there are no objects or by choosing
Select > Deselect.
9.
Revert to the last saved version of the document by choosing File > Revert. In the
Revert dialog box, click Revert.
Using the Direct Selection tool
The Direct Selection tool ( ) selects anchor points or path segments within an object so that
it can be reshaped. Next, you will become familiar with selecting anchor points and path
segments, using the Direct Selection tool.
1.
Choose View > Fit All In Window.
2.
Select the Zoom tool ( ) in the Tools panel, and drag a marquee around the series of
orange shapes below the red circles you selected previously, to zoom in.
3.
Select the Direct Selection tool ( ) in the Tools panel. Without clicking, position the
pointer over the top edge of one of the orange shapes. Move the pointer along the top
edge of the shape until the word “anchor” appears by the pointer.
When the Direct Selection tool is over an anchor point of a path or object, the word
“anchor” appears. This label is showing because Smart Guides are turned on. Also
notice the small dot that appears in the center of the box to the right of the pointer. That
dot indicates that the cursor is positioned over an anchor point.
Tip
You can also click in the middle of a shape to select it and to see the anchor
points around its edge. This can be an easy way to see where the points are,
