Ungrouping vector images in Illustrator is a simple process that allows you to separate combined objects so you can edit them individually. You can achieve this using either the software's menu or a convenient keyboard shortcut.
To ungroup objects in Illustrator, you first need to select the grouped object or objects. Once selected, you can proceed with one of the following methods:
Ungroup Using the Menu
The most straightforward way to ungroup is by navigating through the application menu.
- Select the group(s) you wish to ungroup using the Selection Tool (V).
- Go to the Object menu at the top of the screen.
- Choose Ungroup from the dropdown list.
After selecting Ungroup, the objects within the selected group will become separate entities, allowing you to move, edit, or delete them independently. If objects were nested (groups within groups), you might need to apply the Ungroup command multiple times until all desired objects are separated.
Ungroup Using the Keyboard Shortcut
For a quicker workflow, Adobe Illustrator provides a keyboard shortcut to perform the ungroup function.
As referenced, to ungroup objects quickly, you can use the key command:
- Ctrl + Shift + G on Windows
- Command + Shift + G on Mac
Simply select the grouped object and press the corresponding shortcut keys. This instantly ungroups the selected item(s).
| Platform | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows | Ctrl + Shift + G |
| Mac | Command + Shift + G |
Using either the menu command (Object > Ungroup) or the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+G or Command+Shift+G) will effectively ungroup your vector images in Adobe Illustrator, giving you individual control over the previously grouped elements.
