Select objects/ Select all (editing mode)

Get in editing mode

There are a few selection tools in the Edit section of the Trace ribbon; click any of them to initiate editing mode (rather than tracing mode).

Click the selection tool again to exit editing mode.

Selecting and deselecting objects

Select all

Click Select All to select all objects in the file.

Selecting with your mouse

  • Click Select objects button, then click an object to select it.

    • Selected objects are highlighted by small squares filled with a solid color.

    • Selected text appears within a white rectangle.

  • To select multiple objects, do one of the following:

    • Drag the mouse to draw a rectangle around the objects

    • Hold the SHIFT or CTRL key and click the objects.

  • To add or remove objects from a group of selected objects, hold the CTRL key and click an object.

  • To remove a group of objects, drag your mouse from the lower right to the upper left to draw a rectangle around the objects.

Selecting with the Freehand Selection tool

The Freehand selection tool is useful for selecting all of the objects in oddly shaped regions—you draw the selection area.

The tool is in "Rubber line lasso" mode by default. Right click after selecting the tool, but before using it, to switch to "Continuous lasso" mode.

  • Click the Freehand selection button

    • Rubber line lasso mode (default): Click to place the points of the region in which you want to select objects.

    • Continuous lasso mode (available via right-click): Click and drag the mouse to define the selection region.

  • Right-click and select Close lasso or click Close and select from the Trace ribbon.

Selecting with the Edit Tool panel

When you enter editing mode, the Edit Tool panel opens. It includes controls that enable you to easily select all objects of a certain type.

  • Make sure the Select button is chosen in the Editing Mode section of the panel.

  • To select a specific group of objects (e.g., all markers in the tracing), select the desired type from the drop-down menu the Edit Tool panel, then click Select All.

  • Edit the shape of contours by checking the Individual Points checkbox and moving points of contours as needed.

  • You can use the Thickness Adjustment slider to change the thickness of the selection indicator.

Editing objects

  • To view commands specific to an object, right-click over the selected object.
  • To see a general menu of editing options, right-click in the Main window (somewhat away from traced objects).
  • Commands to Splice and Detach are in the Edit Tool panel.

Splicing

Method 1

  1. Click Trace>Edit>Select objects.
  2. Click a traced fragment to select it.
  3. Move the cursor over the end of a traced process, right-click and select Splice. A line extends from the end to the cursor.
  4. Move the cursor over the end you want to join the fragment to. A circle appears at the end.
  5. Click to splice the two fragments.

Method 2

  1. Click Trace>Edit>Select objects.
  2. Select Splice in the Edit Tool panel.
  3. Click the end of a traced process. A line extends from the end to the cursor.
  4. Move the cursor over the end you want to join the fragment to. A circle appears at the end.
  5. Click to splice the two fragments.

Detaching

Method 1

  1. Click Trace>Edit>Select objects.
  2. Check Individual points in the Edit Tool panel.
  3. Click a branch to select it.

  4. Click the point on the branch where you want to detach, right-click and select Detach branch from tree.

    The branch is split in two.

Method 2

  1. Click Trace>Edit>Select objects.
  2. Select Detach in the Edit Tool panel.
  3. Place the cursor over the point where you want to detach.

  4. When your cursor turns into a cross, click.

    The branch is split in two.

Also see Editing trees, Editing individual points, Splicing processes, Editing spines