Isolate artwork for editing



Isolation mode isolates objects so that you can easily select and edit particular objects or parts of objects. You can isolate any of the following: layers, sublayers, groups, symbols, clipping masks, compound paths, gradient meshes, paths, and brushes (for editing brush definitions).

In Isolation mode, you can delete, replace, and add new art relative to the isolated art. As soon as you exit isolation mode, replaced or new art is added at the same location as the original isolated art. Isolation mode automatically locks all other objects so that only the objects in isolation mode are affected by the edits you make— you don’t need to worry about what layer an object is on, nor do you need to manually lock or hide the objects you don’t want affected by your edits.

Note: When you edit a symbol’s definition, the symbol appears in isolation mode. (See Edit or redefine a symbol.)
Isolating the pear group.

When isolation mode is active, the isolated object appears in full color, while the rest of the artwork appears dimmed. The isolated object’s name and location (sometimes referred to as bread crumbs) appears in the isolation mode border, and the Layers panel displays only the artwork in the isolated sublayer or group. When you exit isolation mode, the other layers and groups reappear in the Layers panel.

You can view isolated objects in outline mode or preview mode.

For a video on using layers and isolation mode, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0041.

Isolate a path, object, or group

 Do one of the following:

  • Double-click the path or group using the Selection tool.

  • Select the group, object, or path and click the Isolate Selected Object button  in the Control panel.

  • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the group and choose Isolate Selected Group.

  • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the path and choose Isolate Selected Path.

  • Select the group, object, or path in the Layers panel and choose Enter Isolation Mode from the Layers panel menu or click the Isolate Selected Object button in the Control panel.

Isolate a path inside a group

  1. Select the path by using the Direct-Selection tool or by targeting it in the Layers panel.

  2. Click the Isolate Selected Object button  in the Control panel.

Isolate a layer or sublayer

 Select the layer or sublayer in the Layers panel, and choose Enter Isolation Mode from the Layers panel menu.

Exit isolation mode

 Do one of the following:

  • Press Esc.

  • Click the Exit Isolation Mode button  one or more times (if you’ve isolated a sublayer, one click takes you back a level, two clicks exits isolation mode).

  • Click anywhere in the isolation mode bar.

  • Click the Exit Isolation Mode button  in the Control panel.

  • Using the Selection tool, double-click outside of the isolated group.

  • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) and choose Exit Isolation Mode.