Adobe Illustrator Object Selection and Transformation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A designer is working on a complex illustration with many overlapping objects. They need to select an object that is completely obscured by another object in front of it. Which is the most efficient method to select the hidden object without moving the object on top?

Accepted Answer

Hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) key and click on the location of the hidden object until it is selected.

Answer

Holding the Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) key while clicking with the Selection Tool allows you to select through the stacking order of objects. Each click selects the next object directly underneath the cursor's position, making it a very efficient way to select obscured items without altering the arrangement.

Question 2

Which tool allows you to modify the individual anchor points and path segments of an object, rather than selecting the entire object?

Accepted Answer

Direct Selection Tool (A)

Answer

The Direct Selection Tool (A), represented by a white arrow, is specifically designed to select and manipulate the individual components of a path, such as anchor points and the direction handles that control curve segments. This is in contrast to the Selection Tool (V), which selects whole objects or groups.

Question 3

You have created a logo and need to scale it down for a business card. After resizing, you notice the stroke weight appears much thicker relative to the new size of the logo. What option should be enabled BEFORE scaling to ensure the stroke weight scales proportionally with the object?

Accepted Answer

Scale Strokes & Effects

Answer

The 'Scale Strokes & Effects' option ensures that any strokes or effects applied to an object are resized in proportion to the object itself. This setting can be found in the Transform panel's menu or in the Scale dialog box (Object > Transform > Scale). When disabled, stroke weights and effect sizes remain absolute, which can lead to unintended visual changes when an object is scaled.

Question 4

A user wants to transform multiple selected objects, but wants each object to scale and rotate around its own individual center point, rather than transforming the entire selection as a single unit. Which command should be used?

Accepted Answer

Object > Transform > Transform Each...

Answer

The 'Transform Each' command (Object > Transform > Transform Each...) is specifically designed for this purpose. It allows you to apply transformations like scaling, rotating, and moving to multiple selected objects simultaneously, but it calculates each transformation relative to the individual object's own reference point, preserving their relative positions.

Question 5

Which of the following transformations is NOT a standard option available within the Free Transform Tool (E) widget?

Accepted Answer

Liquify

Answer

The Free Transform tool allows for scaling, rotating, shearing, and via its widget, Perspective Distort and Free Distort. Liquify is a separate set of tools (found under the Width Tool) used for warping and distorting objects in a more fluid, brush-based manner, not as part of the standard Free Transform operations.

Adobe Illustrator Practice Test

Adobe Illustrator Practice Test

Adobe Illustrator Object Selection and Transformation Questions and Answers