Use the Selection and Direct Selection Tools Adobe Illustrator

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Video: Use the Selection and Direct Selection Tools Adobe Illustrator

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Hello and welcome to VisiHow. In this video, we are going to look at how to manipulate basic shapes in Adobe Illustrator. Once you have learned how to create a new document in Adobe Illustrator and how to create basic shapes, then you are ready to watch this video.

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   The first tool we are going to use is the "Selection Tool"

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   It is the first tool in the toolbar, and it looks like a black arrow. You can use this tool to select any shape by simply clicking on the shape.

   

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2. 2
   Once you have selected a shape, click, hold and drag the shape to move it

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   To delete a shape, select the shape and press the delete key on your keyboard. Press "Ctrl" plus z to undo any of the changes you have made.

   

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3. 3
   Right beside the "Selection Tool" is the "Direct Selection Tool"

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   This tool is used to select specific parts of a shape.

   

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4. 4
   Click, hold and drag down to make a box covering a portion of a shape to select that part of the shape

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   You can then delete this portion of the shape or move it around.

   

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5. 5
   To zoom in, press "Ctrl" along with the plus sign on your keyboard

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6. 6
   With the "Direct Selection Tool", you can skew some of the shapes

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   You can drag one point of this triangle up to change the shape of it.

   

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7. 7
   With the "Selection Tool", you can make the shape bigger or smaller

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   Click on one of the anchors, the small white squares, and drag it inwards or outwards depending on what size you want. This may distort the look of the shape.

   

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8. 8
   Another way of scaling the shape is to click one of the anchors, then hold down the shift key as you drag it inwards or outwards

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   This way does not distort the shape.

   

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9. 9
   You can also duplicate a shape using the "Selection Tool"

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   To do this, hold down the "Alt" key on your keyboard, then click and drag the shape.

   

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10. 10
    You have learned some basic manipulation strategies using Adobe Illustrator

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    If you have any questions or comments, post them in the section below. Thank you for watching VisiHow. Have a great day!

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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