To lock selected objects in Adobe Illustrator, you can choose Object > Lock > Selection. This prevents accidental editing or moving of those objects.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
-
Using the Menu: The most straightforward way is to select the object(s) you want to lock and then go to the "Object" menu at the top of the screen. From there, select "Lock" and then "Selection."
-
Keyboard Shortcut: A faster method is to use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + 2 (Windows) or Cmd + 2 (Mac). Make sure the object(s) you want to lock are selected before using the shortcut.
-
Unlocking Objects: To unlock locked objects, you can use the "Object" menu again. Go to "Object" > "Unlock All" (or Ctrl + Alt + 2 (Windows) or Cmd + Option + 2 (Mac)). This will unlock all objects currently locked in your Illustrator document. You can also unlock a single locked object. Go to Object > Unlock All on Layer. Select the specific Layer you want to unlock objects from.
-
Why Lock Objects? Locking is essential when working on complex illustrations. It allows you to work on other elements without inadvertently shifting or altering elements that are already in the correct position or that you don't need to currently modify.
-
Object Hierarchy: Locking affects individual objects. If you have grouped objects and lock the group, all objects within that group are locked. If you lock an object that is part of a larger group, only that specific object is locked.
-
Layers Panel: You can also lock entire layers within the Layers panel. Clicking the empty space to the left of a layer's name will display a lock icon, indicating that the entire layer is now locked. This is useful for preventing any changes to all the objects on a specific layer.
By using the Object > Lock > Selection command (or the associated keyboard shortcut), you can effectively prevent accidental modifications to your artwork in Illustrator, improving your workflow.
