Illustrator

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Select paths, segments, and anchor points

Before you can reshape or edit a path, you need to select the path’s anchor points, segments, or a combination of both.

Select anchor points

  • If you can see the points, you can click them with the Direct Selection tool to select them. Shift-click to select multiple points.
  • Select the Direct Selection tool and drag a boundary around the anchor points. Shift-drag around additional anchor points to select them.
  • Make sure the path that contains the anchor points is not selected. Move the Direct Selection tool  over the anchor point until the pointer displays a hollow square, and then click the anchor point. Shift-click additional anchor points to select them.
  • (Illustrator only) Select the Lasso tool , and drag around the anchor points. Shift-drag around additional anchor points to select them.

Select path segments

Do any of the following:

  • Select the Direct Selection tool , and click within 2 pixels of the segment, or drag a marquee over part of the segment. Shift-click or Shift-drag around additional path segments to select them.
  • (Illustrator only) Select the Lasso tool , and drag around part of the path segment. Shift-drag around additional path segments to select them.

Select all anchor points and segments in a path

  1. Select the Direct Selection tool  or, in Illustrator, the Lasso tool.
  2. Drag around the entire path.

    If the path is filled, you can also click inside the path with the Direct Selection tool to select all anchor points.

Copy a path

  Select a path or segment with the Selection tool or Direct Selection tool and do one of the following:

  • Use the standard menu functions to copy and paste paths within or between applications.

  • Press and hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag the path to the desired position, and then release the mouse button and Alt/Option key.