Isolating

Before — Isolation mode activated for a single pattern (selected with the Node Tool).

After — Isolation mode activated for a single pattern (selected with the Node Tool).

Isolating an object is extremely useful for manipulating overlapping objects.

To activate isolation mode:

On the Layers panel, hold down the and click on the thumbnail of an artboard, layer, group or object.

To exit isolation mode, press the , click another layer (from outside the isolated content, if the content is a group), or click away from the selection in the document view.

Isolation mode and groups

When a group is isolated, you can perform the following operations without exiting isolation mode or affecting its focus:

Select and manipulate any of the group's items in context.
Create new objects within the group.

To select some of an isolated group's items:

Do one of the following:
- On the Layers panel:
  1. Expand the group by clicking its arrow.
  2. Select one or more items inside the group.
- In the document view:
  1. Select the group.
  2. Select an item in the group by double-clicking it.
  3. (Optional) Hold the , then click other group items to add them to the selection.

To create new objects in an isolated group:

Do one of the following:
- Select an object in the group.
- From the Toolbar, select Insert inside the selection.
Use a tool to create new objects.

Isolating objects

Isolation mode and groups

SEE ALSO: